• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.257-269
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• 2010

We analyzed patent trends regarding stabilization technology for steep slope hazards, focusing on patents applied for and registered in Korea, the USA, Japan, and Europe. The technology was classified into four groups at the second classification step: prediction techniques, instrumentation techniques, countermeasure/reinforcement/mitigation techniques, and laboratory tests. A total of 2,134 patents were selected for the final effective analysis. As a result of portfolio analysis using the correlation between the number of patents and the applicant for each patent, the Korean and USA situations were classified as belonging to the developing period, and the Japanese and European situations were classified as belonging to the ebbing period. In particular, patent activity in Korea has been enlivened by government-led research. As a result of technology analysis at the second classification step, prediction techniques arising from Japan are evaluated as a competitive power technique, and laboratory tests arising from the USA are evaluated as a competitive power technique. However, prediction techniques and laboratory tests arising from Korea are evaluated as a blank technique. According to the prediction results regarding future research and developments, a new finite element analysis method and a numerical model should be established as part of prediction techniques, as well as sensors, and hazard prediction should be developed by integrating information and equipment using IT technology as part of instrumentation techniques. In addition, improvements to existing structures for erosion control and the development of new slope-reinforcement methods are required as part of countermeasure/reinforcement/mitigation techniques, and new laboratory apparatus and methods with an optimizing structure should be developed as part of laboratory tests.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.595-603
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• 2021

Sand layer distribution, which is the main target of river and land aggregate resources, mainly belongs to alluvial and river sedimentary environments among the Quaternary sedimentary environments. The distribution of aggregate resources in the area of Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do is characteristically developed around a sedimentation environment in which intrusive meandering river dominate. Although the area around Bonhwangcheon Stream and the area near the confluence of small streams are small, the river floodplain develops and corresponds to the aggregate distribution area. The sedimentary layer formed in the sedimentary environment such as colluvial deposits or alluvial fan deposits has a relatively low distribution rate of aggregate resources. The vertical distribution of the Quaternary sedimentary layers in the Geumsan-gun region ranges from about 5 to 12 m and has an average Quaternary sedimentary thickness of 8 m. The aggregate-bearing section has an average thickness of 3.6 m, and the average grain size is about 21% clay-silt, 67% sand, and 12% gravel. The main characteristics of the aggregate-bearing section are that coarse-grained sand predominates, and gravel is sub-angular or sub-rounded, and the sorting is generally poor and has a massive form of deposits, and the soil colour ranges from dark grey to yellowish-brown. In Geumsan-gun, the most likely distribution area for aggregate development is the alluvial sedimentary and river sedimentary layers distributed along the current and former riverbeds of the main Geumgang River, Bonhwangcheon and small River tributaries.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.553-566
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• 2018

The occurrence of natural radionuclides like uranium and radon in groundwater was hydrochemically examined based on 40 well groundwaters in Mungyeong area. The range of electrical conductivity (EC) value in the study area was $68{\sim}574{\mu}S/cm$. In addition to the increase of EC value, the content of cations and anions also tends to increase. Uranium concentrations ranged from $0.03{\sim}169{\mu}g/L$ (median value, $0.82{\mu}g/L$) and radon concentrations ranged from 70~30,700 pCi/L (median value, 955 pCi/L). Only 1 out of 40 wells (2.5%) showed uranium concentration exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL; $30{\mu}g/L$) proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Radon concentrations of eight wells (20%) exceeded AMCL(Alternative maximum contaminant level) of the US EPA (4,000 pCi/L). Four out of those eight wells even exceeded Finland's guideline level (8,100 pCi/L). When concentrations of uranium and radon were investigated in terms of geology, the highest values are generally associated with granite. The uranium and radon levels observed in this study are low in comparison to those of other countries with similar geological settings. It is likely that the measured value was lower than the actual content due to the inflow of shallow groundwater by the lack of casing and grouting.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.243-269
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• 2021

Since the early 2010s, the social importance of research and practical projects targeting deep geological disposal of high-level nuclear waste, underground CO₂ storage and characterization of deep subsurface by borehole investigation has been increasing. In this regard, there is also a significant increase in the need for in situ test technology to obtain quantitative and reliable information on the hydraulic characteristics of deep rock mass. Through years of research and development, we have independently set up Deep borehole Hydraulic Test System (DHTS) based on the key apparatuses designed and made with our own technology. Using this system, high precision constant pressure injection tests were successfully completed at the two 1 km boreholes located in Mesozoic granite and sedimentary rock regions, Gyeongju. During the field tests, it was possible to measure very low flow rate below 0.01 l/min with micro flow rate injection/control module. In this paper, the major characteristics of DHTS are introduced and also some results obtained from the high precision field tests under the deep and low permeable rock mass environment are briefly discussed.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.755-769
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• 2020

In 2019, about 134 million ㎥ of aggregate was produced in an estimated 880 quarries and pits in 17 metropolitan governments. Leading producing metropolitan cities were Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk- do, Chungcheongnam-do, in order decreasing volume, which together accounted for about 71% of total product. Of the total domestic aggregates produced in 2019, about 31 % was sand and about 69% was gravel. It estimated that of the 134 million ㎥ of aggregates in Korea in 2019, about 50.3% was produced by screening crushed aggregate by 41.4% by forest aggregate, 3.3% by land aggregate, 1.7% by sea aggregate and 1.7% by washing each other, and 0.7% by river aggregate. This indicates that screening crushed aggregate and forest aggregate are the main producers of domestic aggregates. The most crushed and forest aggregate was extracted at the Gyeonggi-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, respectively. Land aggregate was mainly extracted at Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gangwon-do. Therefore, in the future supply and demand of aggregate resources, it is judged that there should be a primary policy direction for screening crushed and forest aggregate.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.559-572
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• 2020

This paper performs laboratory experiments for borehole stability considering temperature and true triaxial stress condition, and observes a thermo-mechanical behavior of the rock under stress and temperature conditions of deep underground. China yellow sandstone and Hwangdeung granite specimens were used to perform a true triaxial compression test. Mechanical tests were carried out under nine confining pressure conditions, and thermo-mechanical tests using granite samples were carried out under six confining pressure conditions at 60-100℃. In the mechanical tests, maximum principal stress at borehole breakout was proportional to intermediate principal stress. In the thermo-mechanical tests, it was confirmed that thermal stress is added to the stress field of the borehole with the increase in temperature, resulting in additional breakout progress. To analyze the results of the laboratory experiment, Mogi-Coulomb failure criterion was used. The results of traditional triaxial compression test on cylindrical specimens and borehole breakout under true triaxial compressions matched well with Mogi-Coulomb failure criterion.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.427-439
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• 2021

On the base of the aggregate extraction statistics, this study tried to analyse the demand and supply of aggregate resources of each local government and provide directions for the stable and sustainable supply and demand of aggregate resources in the future. In 2019, aggregates were produced in 148 cities, about 65% of the 229 cities of Korea, but in 7 metropolitan cities with 74 local governments, only 19 cities developed the aggregate. It means that aggregate extraction is taking place in almost all regions in Korea. Sand and gravel were produced in 110 districts and 132 districts, respectively. By aggregate source, river aggregates were extracted in 4 local governments, land aggregates in 42 local governments, forest aggregates in 75 local governments, crushed aggregates in 105 local governments, and washing aggregates in 15 local governments. In other words, 81 district in Korea have not extracted land-based aggregate at all. 71 local governments produced only one type of aggregate, and 55 local governments developed two types of aggregate, and 22 local governments developed more that three types of aggregate. In 2019, the leading producing local government were, in descending order of volume, Ulju-gun, followed by Hwaseong-si, Cheongju-si, Pocheon-si, Paju-si, Yongin-si, Gimhae-si, Gwangju-si in Gyeonggi-do. 41 local governments have developed aggregates of more than 1 million m³, and the combined production of the 41 cities accounted for about 70% of national total. This shows that the aggregate extraction trend of local governments is becoming larger and more concentrated.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.396-407
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• 2008

Hydrogeologic properties of a well field around middle mountainous areas in Pyosun, Jeju volcanic island were examined based on water level monitoring, geologic logging and pumping test data. Due to the alternating basaltic layers with varying permeability in the subsurface, it is difficult to analyze the hydraulic responses to artificial pumping and/or natural precipitation. The least permeable layer, detrital materials with clay, is found at a depth of 200 m below surface, but it is not an upper confining bed for lower main aquifer. Nevertheless, this layer may serve as a natural barrier to vertical percolation and to contaminant migration. Water levels of the production wells are dominantly affected by pumping frequently, while those of the remote observation wells are controlled by ambient precipitation. Results of pumping tests revealed a possible existence of horizontal anisotropy of transmissivity. However, some results of this study include inherent limitations enforced by field conditions such as the consistent of groundwater production and the set of time periods for the cessation of the pumping prior to pumping tests.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.129-135
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• 1983

During engineering projects, land use and geologic investigations, topographic information by means of Photointerpretation and Photographic Survey often plays an important role. As some recent methods of Dip and Strike determination were used without considering the characteristics of the geometrical conditions of photography, it is necessary to present an accurate and rapid formula. In this paper, Dip and Strike determination using photogrammetric method was theoretically approached with geometrical and mathematical models using trigonometric formula and plane equation, respectively.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.675-685
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• 2015

Weathering is the breaking/cutting down process of rocks due to physical and chemical processes in natural as well as artificial environment including $CO_2$ injection for storage in the sediment, or natural resource recovery process. This study suggests an alternative method to estimate the degree of weathering for granites. A series of laboratory and field experiments are performed to measure electrical resistivities on various rock samples experienced different degrees of weathering and their residual soils under different saturation conditions. It is found that the normalized electrical resistivity increases with a decrease in water absorption and the saturation. Simple boundaries are suggested to identify the weathering degree of granites, based on limited data. Field test results for three sites confirm that the suggested method could be estimated well the degree of weathering of granites compared with the other methods suggested previously. Although further research is required, this study suggests that an electrical resistivity could be an effective approach to estimate the degree of weathering of granites compared with the other methods suggested previously.