• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.405-414
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• 2008

When we evaluate slope stability, we regard the slope homogeneous and evaluate slope stability at the most dangerous portion of slope. However, since conditions and properties of rock mass/soil are different from one location to another within a single slope, slope stability evaluated by current concept can not represent slope correctly. This also result in over-reinforcement at the portion where reinforcement is not necessary. In order to solve these problems, we suggest a cell unit evaluation method in which we apply small rectangular cells in a slope and regard each cell as a single slope. In this method, slopes are classified into soil slope and rock slope depending on materials. Strength of rock, volumetric joint count, spacing of joints, condition of joints, ground water condition and so on are examined and SMR and condition index values are calculated. Finally, all data and results are presented as contour maps. We apply the cell unit evaluation method into 3 cut slopes. SMR values estimated by the new method are larger than those by current concept at most portions of slope, indicating that the new method suggested by this research represent slope stability more correctly than methods which were used. This method will prevent over-reinforcement at the portion of slope where reinforcement is not necessary.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.165-170
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• 2003

Recently, resistivity surveys have been frequently carried out over the irregular terrain such as mountainous area. Such an irregular terrain itself can produce significant anomalies which may lead to misinterpretations. In this study, topographic effects in resistivity survey were studied using the physical scale modeling as well as the numerical one adopting finite element method. The scale modeling was conducted at a pond, so that we could avoid the edge effect, the inherent problem of the scale modeling conducted in a water tank in laboratory. The modeling experiments for two topographic features, a ridge and a valley with various slope angles, confirmed that the results by the two different modeling techniques coincide with each other fairly well for all the terrain models. These experiments adopting dipole-dipole array showed the distinctive terrain effects, such that a ridge produces a high apparent resistivity anomaly at the ridge center flanked by zones of lower apparent resistivity. On the other hand, a valley produces the opposite anomaly pattern, a central low flanked by highs. As the slope of a terrain model becomes steeper, the terrain-induced anomalies become stronger, and moreover, apparent resistivity can become even negative for the model with extremely high slope angle. All the modeling results led us to the conclusion that terrain effects should be included in the numerical modeling and/or the inversion process to interpret data acquired at the rugged terrain area.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2020

In the development of geodynamic structures such as subduction and rift zones, a weakening mechanism is essential for localized weak zone formation in the lithosphere. Shear heating, a weakening mechanism, generates short-wavelength temperature elevation in the lithosphere; the increased temperature can reduce lithospheric strength and promote its breakup. A two-dimensional elastoplastic extensional basin model was used to conduct benchmarking based on previous numerical simulation studies to quantitatively analyze shear heating. The amount of shear heating was investigated by controlling the yield strength, extensional velocity, and strain- and temperature-dependent weakening. In the absence of the weakening mechanism, the higher yield strength and extensional velocity led to more vigorous shear heating. The reference model with a 100-MPa yield strength and 2-cm/year extension showed a temperature increase of ~ 50 K when the bulk extension was 20 km (i.e., 0.025 strain). However, in the yield-strength weakening mechanism, depending on the plastic strain and temperature, more efficient weakening induced stronger shear heating, which indicates positive feedback between the weakening mechanism and the shear heating. The rate of shear heating rapidly increased at the initial stage of deformation, and the rate decreased by 80% as the lithosphere weakened. This suggests that shear heating with the weakening mechanism can significantly influence the strength of relatively undamaged lithosphere.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2019

We perform a 3D tomographic inversion using surface wave dispersion curves to obtain S-velocity model and radial anisotropy beneath Saudi Arabia. The Arabian Peninsula is geologically and topographically divided into a shield and a platform. We used event data with magnitudes larger than 5.5 and epicentral distances shorter than $40^{\circ}$ during 2008 ~ 2014 from the Saudi Geological Survey. We obtained dispersion curves by using the multiple filtering technique after preprocessing the event data. We constructed SH- and SV-velocity models and consequently radial anisotropy model at 10 ~ 60 km depths by inverting Love and Rayleigh group velocity dispersion curves with period ranges of 5 ~ 140 s, respectively. We observe high-velocity anomalies beneath the Arabian shield at 10 ~ 30 km depths and low-velocity anomalies beneath the Arabian platform at 10 km depth in the SV-velocity model. This discrepancy may be caused by the difference between the Arabian shield and the Arabian platform, that is, the Arabian shield was formed in Proterozoic thereby old and cold, while the Arabian platform is covered by predominant Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic sedimentary layers. Also we obtained radial anisotropy by estimating the differences between SH- and SV-velocity models. Positive anisotropy is observed, which may be generated by lateral tension due to the slab pull of subducting slabs along the Zagros belt.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.149-163
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• 2021

Damage characteristics of granite, marble and sandstone whose properties were different were investigated by uniaxial compression test and cyclic loading-unloading test. Strength, elastic constants and damage threshold stresses were measured by uniaxial compression test and were compared with those measured by cyclic loading-unloading test. Average rock strengths measured by cyclic loading-unloading test were either lower than or similar with those measured by uniaxial compression test. Rocks with high strength and low porosity were more sensitive to fatigue than that with low strength and high porosity. Although permanent strains caused by cyclic loading-unloading were different according to rock types, they could be good indicators representing damage characteristics of rock. Damage threshold stress of granite and marble might be measured from stress-permanent strain curves. Acoustic emissions were measured during both tests and felicity ratios which represented damage characteristics of rocks were calculated. Felicity ratio of sandstone which was weak in strength and highly porous could not be calculated because of very few measurements of acoustic emissions. On the other hand, damage threshold could be predicted from felicity ratios of granite and marble which were brittle and low in porosity. The deformation behaviors and damage characteristics of rock mass could be investigated if additional tests for various rock types were performed.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.120-128
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• 2022

There are 17,000 reservoir dams in Korea, of which more than 85% were built over 50 years ago. Old embankment dams are weakened by internal erosion and suffusion phenomena due to preferential leakage paths and this ongoing weakening can cause their failure. Therefore, early warning associated with leakage in an embankment dam is crucial to prevent its failure. An electrical resistivity survey is a non-destructive, real-time and in-situ technique for detecting the development of leakage zones and general conditions of embankment dams. Because of its advantages, the electrical resistivity survey is widely used for reservoir safety inspections. However, the electrical resistivity survey is still not officially included in the precise safety inspection of reservoir dams because it cannot present a quantitative index of dam safety. In this study, we propose a method for calculating the leak index according to the water content evaluated from the electrical resistivity survey and/or induced polarization survey. Particularly, by proposing a quantitative leak index calculation method from monitoring surveys and independent surveys, we provide a theoretical basis for including electrical resistivity and induced polarization surveys as components of the precise safety inspection of reservoirs dams.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.268-274
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• 2023

Finite source inversion is performed with a Green's function matrix and geodetic coseismic displacement. Conventionally, the Green's function matrix is constructed using the Okada model (Okada, 1985). However, for more realistic earthquake simulations, recent research has widely adopted the physics-based model, which can consider various material properties such as elasticity, viscoelasticity, and elastoplasticity. We used the physics-based software PyLith, which is suitable for earthquake modeling. However, the PyLith does not provide a mesh generator, which makes it difficult to perform finite source inversions that require numerous subfaults and observation points within the model. Therefore, in this study, we developed CPInterface (COMSOL-PyLith Interface) to improve the convenience of finite source inversion by combining the processes of creating a numerical model including sub-faults and observation points, simulating earthquake modeling, and constructing a Green's function matrix. CPInterface combines the grid generator of COMSOL with PyLith to generate the Green's function matrix automatically. CPInterface controls model and fault information with simple parameters. In addition, elastic subsurface anomalies and GPS observations can be placed flexibly in the model. CPInterface is expected to enhance the accessibility of physics-based finite source inversions by automatically generating the Green's function matrix.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.91-107
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• 2024

Single-channel seismic exploration has proven effective in delineating subsurface geological structures using small-scale survey systems. The seismic data acquired through zero- or near-offset methods directly capture subsurface features along the vertical axis, facilitating the construction of corresponding seismic sections. However, substantial noise in single-channel seismic data hampers precise interpretation because of the low signal-to-noise ratio. This study introduces a novel approach that integrate noise reduction and signal enhancement via matrix rank optimization to address this issue. Unlike conventional rank-reduction methods, which retain selected singular values to mitigate random noise, our method optimizes the entire singular value spectrum, thus effectively tackling both random and erratic noises commonly found in environments with low signal-to-noise ratio. Additionally, to enhance the horizontal continuity of seismic events and mitigate signal loss during noise reduction, we introduced an adaptive weighting factor computed from the eigenimage of the seismic section. To access the robustness of the proposed method, we conducted numerical experiments using single-channel Sparker seismic data from the Chukchi Plateau in the Arctic Ocean. The results demonstrated that the seismic sections had significantly improved signal-to-noise ratios and minimal signal loss. These advancements hold promise for enhancing single-channel and high-resolution seismic surveys and aiding in the identification of marine development and submarine geological hazards in domestic coastal areas.

• International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics Korean Journal of Geophysical Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.15-29
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• 1998

The numerical simulation of heavy precipitation event occurred in the central Korean Peninsula on July 26-28, 1996 was performed using the fine mesh model. ARPS (Advanced Regional Prediction System) developed by the CAPS (Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms). Usually, the heavy rainfalls occurred at late July in the Korean Peninsula were difficult to predict, and showed very strong rainfall intensity. As results, they caused a great loss of life and property. As it usual, this case was unsuccessful to predict the location of rain band and the precipitation intensity with the coarse-mesh model. The same case was, however, simulated well with fine-mesh storm-scale model, ARPS. Moisture band at 850 hPa appeared along the Changma Front in the area of China through central Korea passed Yellow Sea. Also the low-level jet at 700 hPa existed in the Yellow Sea through central Korea and they together offered favorable condition to induce heavy rainfall in that area. The convective activities developed to a meso-scale convective system were observed at near the Yangtze River and moved to the central Korean Peninsula. Furthermore, the intrusion of warm and moist air, origninated from typhoon, into the Asia Continent might result in heavy rainfall formation through redistribution of moisture and heat. In the vertical circulation, the heavy rainfall was formed between the upper- and low-level jets, especially, the entrance region of the upper-level jet above the exit the region of the low-level jet. The low level convergence, the upper level divergence and the strong vertical wind were organized to the very north of the low level jet and concentrated on tens to hundreds km horizontal distance. These result represent the upper- and low-level jets are one of the most important reasons on the formation of heavy precipitation.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.281-290
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• 2015

Log density data were collected and compared with the core density data throughout the southern Korean Peninsula. The comparison reveals that the log densities obtained from gamma-gamma log are much lower than the core densities obtained from laboratory density measurement of core samples. The anomalously low log densities can be attributed to the small-source density log data. Correlation analysis reveals differences between densities derived from the two methods, indicating that a data quality problem arises when using small-source log data. The problem is probably due to the fact that small-source data have not been obtained under ideal conditions for maintaining the appropriate relationship between gamma response and formation density. The frequency distribution characteristics of formation density in the southern Korean Peninsula could be determined using the core and the standard-source log data which are well-correlated.