• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.561-573
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• 2023

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) constructed the KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) to analyze the hydrogeological/geochemical characteristics of deep rock mass. Numerous boreholes have been drilled to conduct various field tests. The selection of suitable investigation intervals within a borehole is of great importance. When objectives are centered around hydraulic flow and groundwater sampling, intervals with sufficient groundwater flow are the most suitable. This study defines such points as hydraulic outliers and aimed to detect them using borehole geophysical logging data (temperature and EC) from a 1 km depth borehole. For systematic and efficient outlier detection, machine learning algorithms, such as DBSCAN, OCSVM, kNN, and isolation forest, were applied and their applicability was assessed. Following data preprocessing and algorithm optimization, the four algorithms detected 55, 12, 52, and 68 outliers, respectively. Though this study confirms applicability of the machine learning algorithms, it is suggested that further verification and supplements are desirable since the input data were relatively limited.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.12
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• pp.4474-4480
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• 2022

Deep geological disposal using a multibarrier system is a promising solution for treating high-level radioactive (HLRW) waste. The HLRW canister represents the first barrier for the migration of radionuclides into the biosphere, therefore, the corrosion behavior of canister materials is of significance. In this study, the electrochemical behaviors of SS316L, Ti-Gr.2, Alloy 22, and Cu in naturally aerated KAERI underground research tunnel (KURT) groundwater solutions were examined. The corrosion potential, current, and impedance spectra of the test materials were recorded using electrochemical methods. According to polarization and impedance measurements, Cu exhibits relatively higher corrosion rates and a lower corrosion resistance ability than those exhibited by the other materials in the given groundwater condition. In the anodic dissolution tests, SS316L exposed to the groundwater solution exhibited the most uniform corrosion, as indicated by its surface roughness. This phenomenon could be attributed to the extremely low concentration of chloride ions in KURT groundwater.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2009

The microseismic monitoring system with wide range of frequency has been operating in real time and it is remotely monitored at indoor and on-site for one year. This system was constructed and established in order to secure the safe and effective operation of the KAERI Underground Research Tunnel(KURT). For one year monitoring work, total 14 events were recorded in the vicinity of the KURT, and the majority of events are regarded as ultramicroseismic earthquake and artificial impacts around the tunnel. The major event is the magnitude 3.4 earthquake which was centered around Gongju city, Chungnam Province. It means that there is no significant evidence of high frequency microseismic event, which is associated with fracture initiation and/or propagation in the rock mass and shotcrete. Three components sensor was applied in order to analyze and define the direction of vibration as well as an epicenter of microseismic origin, and also properly designed and installed in a small borehole. This monitoring system is able to predict the location and timing of fracturing of rock mass and rock fall around an undreground openings as well as analysis on safety of various kinds of engineering structures such as nuclear facilities and other structures.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2011

To characterize the site specific properties of a study area for high-level radioactive waste disposal research in KAERI, the several geological investigations such as surface geological surveys and borehole drillings were carried out since 1997. Especially, KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) was constructed to understand the further study of geological environments in 2006. As a result, the first geological model of a study area was constructed by using the results of geological investigation. The objective of this research is to construct a hydrogeological model around KURT area on the basis of the geological model. Hydrogeological data which were obtained from in-situ hydraulic tests in the 9 boreholes were estimated to accomplish the objective. And, the hydrogeological properties of the 4 geological elements in the geological model, which were the subsurface weathering zone, the log angle fracture zone, the fracture zones and the bedrock were suggested. The hydrogeological model suggested in this study will be used as input parameters to carry out the groundwater flow modeling as a next step of the site characterization around KURT area.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2010.10a
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• pp.191-192
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• 2010

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.86-91
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• 2009

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.229-243
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• 2013

An in situ solute migration system was designed and installed in KAERI Underground Research Tunnel (KURT) constructed in the site of Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) in order to investigate the migration and retardation of non-sorbing and sorbing tracers through a rock fracture. The system is composed of three main parts including injection, extraction, and data treatment. For the selection of a water-conducting fracture, boreholes were drilled. The fractures in the drilled boreholes were investigated using borehole image analysis using borehole image processing system (BIPS). The results of BIPS analysis showed that borehole YH 3-1 and YH 3-2 were connected each other. Moreover, hydraulic tests were carried out to determine the test section with connectivity for the in situ experiments. The in situ solute migration experiments were accomplished to understand the migration of solutes through fractures in KURT using non-sorbing tracers which were fluorescein sodium, eosin-B, bromide and sorbing tracers which were rubidium, nickel, zirconium, and samarium.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.109-125
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• 2023

Disposal repository for high-level radioactive waste secures its safety by means of engineered and natural barriers. The performance of these barriers should be tested and verified through various aspects in terms of short and/or long-term. KAERI has been conducting various in-situ demonstrations in KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel). After completing previous experiment, a conceptual design of an improved in-situ experiment, i.e. K-COIN (KURT experiment of THMC COupled and INteraction), was established and detailed planning for the experiment is underway. Preliminary characterizations were conducted in KURT for siting a K-COIN test site. 15 boreholes with a depth of about 20 m were drilled in three research galleries in KURT and intact rock specimens were prepared for laboratory tests. Using the specimens, physical measurements, uniaxial compression, indirect tension, and triaxial compression tests were conducted. As a result, specific gravity, porosity, elastic wave velocities, uniaxial compressive strength, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, Brazilian tensile strength, cohesion, and internal friction angle were estimated. Statistical analyses revealed that there did not exist meaningful differences in intact rock properties according to the drilled sites and the depth. Judging from the uniaxial compressive strength, which is one of the most important properties, all the specimens were classified as very strong rock so that mechanical safety was secured in all the regions.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.79-88
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• 2012

Migration tests were performed with conservative tracers in a fractured zone that had a single fracture of about 2.5 m distance at the KURT. To interpret the migration of the tracers in the fractured rock, a solute transport model was developed. A two dimensional variable aperture channel model was adopted to describe the fractured path and hydrology, and a particle tracking method was used for solute transport. The simulation tried not only to develop a migration model of solutes for open flow environments but also to produce ideas for a better understanding of solute behaviours in indefinable fracture zones by comparing them to experimental results. The results of our simulations and experiments are described as elution and breakthrough curves, and are quantified by momentum analysis. The main retardation mechanism of nonsorbing tracers, including matrixdiffusion, was investigated.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.243-253
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• 2009

In this study, research status on radionuclide and colloid migration in underground research facilities including KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) was investigated. Some foreign underground research facilities constructed in crystalline rock formations such as granite were briefly introduced and compared. International joint researches concerned with the radionuclide and colloid migration were investigated particularly for the Grimsel Test Site (GTS) and $\ddot{A}$sp$\ddot{o}$ Hard Rock Laboratory by analyzing major research items, on-going research projects, and future plans.