• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.594-610
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• 2023

The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) has been widely applied to evaluate ground characteristics such as site response and thickness of the soft sedimentary layer on top of the bedrock via dominant frequencies and amplification factors of microtremors. Eight seismic stations were selected to investigate the HVSR results at the surface and at varying depths, and their variations due to wind speeds. These stations are equipped with seismic sensors on the surface and downhole(s) at depths. The borehole data analysis reveals that the geological condition at burial depth influences the HVSR results. Their dominant frequencies indicate the entire thickness of the soft layer, not the thickness to the bottom or top of the soft sedimentary layer from the seismometer burial depth. Analysis of the background noise observed at the surface showed that the resonance frequency estimation varied with wind speed changes. In the studied cases, the background noise observed in the sedimentary layer at depths of 20 to 66 meters yielded stable and consistent resonance frequency estimation regardless of wind speed fluctuations. The results of the seismic sensors buried deeper than 100 meters are unstable. The result indicates that the background noise from the buried seismometer at shallow depths (~0.3 m) under light wind conditions (wind speeds less than 3 m/s) is sufficient to achieve the purpose of the HVSR analysis.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1999

We investigated the weathering characteristics of On-Yang gneiss by means of geological survey and Ground Penetrating Radar(GPR). The results of geological survey and boring show the two sets of vertical joint and horizontal joint developed by foliation which is composed of salic and melanic layers. GPR section evidently shows foliation direction and differential weathering due to discontinuity and mineral composition of metamorphic rock. The GPR section for instantaneous phase attribute based on complex trace analysis evidently shows continuity and foliation direction of metamorphic rock. The strong reflection amplitude which is derived from the banded structure of weathered rock can be incorrectly interpreted as a reflection of bedrock. The depth of rock basement should be estimated from the overall exploration result such as boring, seismic method, and electrical resistivity method.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2007.09a
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• pp.266-292
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• 2007

Round Robin Test (RRT) on ground response analyses was conducted for three sites in Korea based on several site investigation data, which include borehole logs with the N values from standard penetration test (SPT) for all three sites and additionally cone tip resistance profiles for two sites. Three input earthquake motions together with the site investigation data were provided for the RRT. A total of 12 teams participating in this RRT presented the results of ground response analyses using equivalent-linear and/or nonlinear method. Each team determined input geotechnical properties by using empirical relationships and literatures based on own judgment, with the exception of the input motions. Herein, the characteristics of input motions were compared in terms of the frequency and period, and the selection of the depth to bedrock, on which the motions is impinged, was discussed considering geologic conditions in Korea. Furthermore, a variety of geotechnical properties such as shear wave velocity profiles and soil nonlinear curves were investigated with the input properties used in this RRT.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.173-188
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• 2008

In order to make comparative analysis of geomorphological changes caused by urban development, I surveyed the distribution of geomorphological resources of 'Daegu Innovation Town' development plan area. The results are as follow: (1) At the front of small valleys of back-mountains are formed small alluvial fans, and at the side of small valleys are distributed hills connected with back-mountains. (2) As small valley erode laterally hills, vertical bluffs and planner bedrock riverbed are formed, and in some riverbed are appeared mud cracks and ripple marks. (3) The depth of valley in alluvial fan of 'Sinseo District' is 7m. In Sinseocheon valley dissecting alluvial fan, fluvial terraces 2m high above riverbed are distributed. Those terraces were formed while alluvial fan was dissected after last glacial period.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.661-672
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• 2018

Radon concentration was measured in a total of 5,453 groundwater samples from wells across Korea. The radon concentrations showed the values ranging from 0.1 Bq/L to 7,218.7 Bq/L, with a median of 48.8 Bq/L which is lower than those of other countries having similar geological conditions. The distribution of radon concentrations was lognormal. The median value is high in the granite areas (63.5-105.1 Bq/L) while it is low in the sedimentary rocks and Cheju volcanic area (16.0-20.3 Bq/L). When grouping the groundwater with well depth, the median radon value is high in weathering and/or upper bedrock zone (61.4 Bq/L) while it is low in alluvium and/or weathering zone (28.5 Bq/L). About 17.7% of the total samples exceeded 148 Bq/L of USEPA guideline value. The exceeding radon ratio more than 148 Bq/L in groundwater is highest in Jurassic granite area, however, the exceeding radon rates more than 300 Bq/L and 500 Bq/L are highest in CGRA area.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.191-205
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• 2009

To characterize the geological features in the study area for high-level radioactive waste disposal research, KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) has been performing several geological investigations such as geophysical surveys and borehole drillings since 1997. Especially, the KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) constructed to understand the deep geological environments in 2006. Recently, the deep boreholes, which have 500 m depth inside the left research module of the KURT and 1,000 m depth outside the KURT, were drilled to confirm and validate the results from a geological model. The objective of this research was to investigate hydrogeological conditions using a 3-D geological model around the KURT. The geological analysis from the surface and borehole investigations determined four important geologicla elements including subsurface weathered zone, low-angled fractures zone, fracture zones and bedrock for the geological model. In addition, the geometries of these elements were also calculated for the three-dimensional model. The results from 3-D geological model in this study will be beneficial to understand hydrogeological environment in the study area as an important part of high-level radioactive waste disposal technology.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.190-195
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• 2013

We estimated near-surface shear-wave velocity (${\nu}_s$) at the Hwacheon seismic station using a geologic log of a well, microtremors recorded during a period of 56 days, and records of three teleseismic events ($M_w{\geq}6.0$). The vs of the 10-m thick soil layer (${\nu}^s_s$= 296 m/s) was determined from horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios of microtremors recorded at the surface. The average ${\nu}_s$ ($\bar{\nu}_s$= 1,309 m/s) from the surface to the 96-m depth of a borehole sensor, was computed using spectral coherence analyses of data recorded by surface- and borehole-sensors for the three teleseismic events. Using these calculated values of ${\nu}^s_s$ and $\bar{\nu}_s$, the computed bedrock ${\nu}_s$ is 2,150 m/s and the time-averaged ${\nu}_s$ to a 30-m depth is 696 m/s. Accordingly the Hwacheon seismic station is regarded as a relatively good site. The deduced near-surface ${\nu}_s$ can be used for further quantitative evaluation of site amplification and earthquake hazard.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2015

A numerical analysis was performed of the seepage from and stability of a mine waste-dump slope in Imgi, Busan, considering rainfall intensity. The 40-45° slope angle of the waste dump is relatively steep, and the depth of the waste dump down to bedrock is 7-8 m. The groundwater level was 6.6 m below the surface. Various laboratory tests on samples obtained from the waste dump were performed to determine the input data for seepage and stability analyses of the waste-dump slope during rainfall. The results of seepage analysis for various rainfall intensities using the SEEP/W program show that the wetting front moved down with increasing rainfall duration. When the rainfall intensity was > 50 mm/ hour and the duration was > 24 hours, the waste dump became fully saturated because the wetting front reached the groundwater level. The results of slope stability analysis coupled with seepage analysis using the SLOPE/W program show that the safety factor of the slope decreased as the wetting front moved down due to rainfall infiltration. After continuous rainfall for 5-6 hours, the safety factor of the slope suddenly decreased but then recovered and converged. The sudden decrease was induced by an increase in pore-water pressure and a decrease in matric suction down to a certain depth as the wetting front approached the potential sliding surface.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.435-450
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• 2022

In step-by-step site selection for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, parameters necessary for site selection will be acquired through deep drilling surveys from the basic survey stage. Unlike site investigations of rock mass structures such as tunnels and underground oil storage facilities, those related to the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste are not only conducted in relatively deep depths, but also require a high level of quality control. In this report, based on the 750 m depth drilling experience conducted to acquire the parameters necessary for deep geological disposal, the methodology for deep drilling and the geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology and rock mechanics obtained before, during, and after deep drilling are discussed. The procedures for multidisciplinary geoscientific investigations were briefly described. Regarding in-situ stress, one of the key evaluation parameter in the field of rock engineering, foreign and domestic cases related to the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste were presented, and variations with depth were presented, and matters to be considered or agonized in acquiring evaluation parameters were mentioned.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.633-648
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• 2022

Gravity data were analyzed to identify the cause of clustered seismicity that occurred intensively in Yeoncheon, located in the central part of the Korean Peninsula. Our analysis suggests that the En echelon faults developed in the northwest-southeast direction. In addition, in the eastern part of the Dongducheon Fault, it was interpreted that high-density lower bedrock intermittently lifts close to the surface due to vertical tectonic movement accompanied by a flower structure. The fracture zone of the Dongducheon Fault is estimated that the width is about 200 m, the depth is at least 5 km, and the density is about 15% lower than the adjacent rocks. It is analyzed that the shallow earthquakes that occurred within 5 km depth was concentrated along the low-density En echelon fault fracture zone developed between the high-density rocks intruding close to the surface. Therefore, the earthquakes can be interpreted as the result that the north-south stress caused by the dextral tectonic movement of the Dongducheon Fault activated the En echelon fault in the northwest-southeast direction.