• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.569-582
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• 2023

In recent years, the service life of major SOC facilities in south korea has exceeded 30 years, and rapid aging is expected within the next 10 years. This has led to a growing recognition of the need for proactive maintenance of these facilities. Consequently, there have been numerous research efforts to introduce smart inspection technologies into maintenance. However, the current system relies primarily on manpower for safety inspections and diagnostics, and on-site surveys rely on visual inspections. Manpower inspections can be time-consuming, and subjective errors may occur during result analysis. In the case of tunnels, there are disadvantages, such as the loss of social overhead capital due to partial closures during inspections. Therefore, institutionalizing smart safety inspections is essential, considering specific measures like using advanced equipment and updating qualifications for experts. Furthermore, it is necessary to verify and validate safety inspection results using advanced equipment before instituting changes. This could be achieved through national-level official research programs and the operation of verification and validation institutions. If smart inspection technology is introduced into maintenance, routine inspections of SOC facilities, such as tunnels, will become feasible. As a result, maintenance technology capable of early detection and proactive response to safety incidents caused by changes in facility conditions is anticipated.