• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.374-392
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• 2024

In order to successfully select a site for deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, it is important to perform the stepwise approach along with the systematic selection and survey of evaluation parameters of geological environmental characteristics suitable for the domestic geological environment. In this study, we evaluated the characteristics of hydraulic conductivity, which is considered the most important evaluation parameter in the field of hydrogeology, targeting a deep-depth rock aquifer where actual disposal facilities are expected to be located. In particular, for the first time in Korea, we obtained in-situ pressure-flow data by directly conducting hydraulic tests in boreholes at depths ranging from 500 m to 750 m in various rock types distributed in Korea (granite/volcanic rock/gneiss/mudstone). And we derived hydraulic conductivity values by rock types and depth using verified analytical methods. For this purpose, precision hydraulic testing equipment developed in-house through this study was used, and detailed investigation procedures based on standard test methods were applied to field tests. As a result of the analysis, the average hydraulic conductivity value was found to be in the range of 10^-9 m/s in all granite/volcanic rock/gneiss areas. In the mudstone area, an average hydraulic conductivity value of 10^-11 m/s was derived, which was about 100 times (2 orders of magnitude) lower than that of the fractured rock aquifers. Moreover, permeability tended to slightly decrease with depth in fractured rock aquifers (granite and volcanic rock areas) containing many rock fractures. The gneiss area tended to have large local differences in permeability according to the composition of the stratum and the development of fracture zones rather than depth. In mudstone areas with weak fracture development, there was no significant variation in rock permeability according to depth. The hydraulic conductivity results by various rock types and depth presented in this study are expected to be utilized in building a foundational database for the site selection, design, and construction of disposal facilities in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.75-88
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• 1999

A recent major subject of geophysical exploration is research into 3-D subsurface imaging with a composite information from the various geophysical data. In an attempt to interpret Schlumberger sounding data for the study area in 2-D and 3-D view, resistivity imaging was firstly performed and then pseudo-3-D resistivity volume was reconstructed by interpolating several 1-D resistivity plots. Electrical resistivity discontinuities such as fracture zone were successfully clarified in pseudo-3-D resistivity volume. The low resistivity zone mainly associated with fracture zone appears to develop down to granitic basement in the central part of the study area. Seismic velocity near the lineament is estimated to be approximately as small as 3,000 m/s, and weathering-layer for the southeastern part is interpreted to be deeper than for the northwestern part. Geophysical attributes such as electrical resistivity, seismic velocity, radioactivity for the Chojeong Area were analysed by utilizing a GIS software Arc/Info. The major fault boundaries and fracture zones were resolved through image enhancement of composite section (electrical resistivity and seismic refraction data) and were interpreted to develop in the southeastern part of the area, as characterized by low electrical resistivity and low seismic velocity. However, radioactivity attribute was found to be less sensitive to geological discontinuities, compared to resistivity and seismic velocity attributes.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.101-112
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• 1997

Gravity and electrical resistivity surveys were carried out across the Kwangju fault in the downstream area of the Jangsung Lake, to investigate the location and geometrical feature of the fault. In the resistivity survey, dipole - dipole array method was adopted for 3 survey lines of which length and electrode spacing are 500m and 25m, respectively. Resistivity data are interpreted with aid of computer program "RESIS" which is widely used in resistivity data analysis and two dimensional resistivity profiles are obtained for 3 survey lines. Two large fracture zones relevant to the Kwangju fault are identified in the resistivity profiles. The total of 80 gravity data are observed with the mean spacing of 40 m and the exact leveling is accompanied to obtain more precise gravity anomalies. The subterranean density discontinuities calculated from the inverse method are appeared at the depths of 650rn and 120m. It is considered that the deep discontinuity indicates boundary between Jurassic granites and oveflying Cretaceous tuff formation. while, the shallow discontinuity is interpreted to be a boundary between alluvial deposits and basements. The subsurface geological structure to satisfy the observed Bouguer anomaly is determined from the iterative forward method in which results from existing surface geological informations, the inverse method, and from the resistivity interpretations are employed as an iuitial model. In conclusion, Kwangju fault is appeared to be a high angle normal fault mainly formed in tension stress filed.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.143-149
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• 2012

Groundwater flow simulations were performed to obtain data of groundwater flow used in a safety assessment for a hypothetical geological disposal facility assumed to be located in the KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) site. A regional scale modeling of the groundwater flow system was carried out to make boundary conditions for a local scale modeling. And, fracture zones identified at the study site were involved in the local scale groundwater flow model. From the results of the local scale modeling, a hydraulic head distribution was indicated and it was used in a particle tracking simulation for searching pathway of groundwater from the location of the hypothetical disposal facility to the surface where the groundwater reached. The flow distance and discharge rate of the groundwater in the KURT site were calculated. It was thought that the modeling methods used in this study was available to prepare the data of groundwater flow in a safety assessment for a geological disposal facility of radioactive wastes.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.145-166
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• 2021

Korea Stress Map database is built by integrating actual data of 1,400 in-situ stress measurements using hydraulic fracturing and overcoring method in South Korea. Korea Stress Map 2020 is presented based on the guideline proposed by World Stress Map Project. As detailed data, stress ratio and maximum horizontal stress direction distribution for each region are also presented. The dominant maximum horizontal stress direction in the Korean Peninsula is from northeast to southeast, and the magnitude of the in-situ stress is relatively distributed. There is some stress heterogeneity caused by local characteristics such as topographical and geological properties. We investigated case studies in which the in-situ stress was affected by mountainous topography, difference in rock quality of fracture zone, presence of mine or underground cavities, and geological structure of fault zone.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2013

We conducted a Tunnel Seismic Prediction (TSP) survey in a spillway tunnel at Juam Dam to predict the locations of major discontinuities ahead of the tunnel face. We compared the results of the TSP survey with those from pre-construction inspections (including a surface resistivity survey and borehole investigations) as well as with direct tunnel-face mapping during excavation. The TSP method predicted the locations of major fracture zones that were unnoticed in the pre-construction inspections. The reinforcement patterns planned on the basis of pre-construction inspections were changed on the basis of the TSP results. The results demonstrate that TSP surveys are a cost-effective and reliably accurate method of predicting the locations of fracture zones. Although the TSP method has some limitations, these results suggest that the method is generally useful for predicting geological conditions prior to tunnel face construction.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.93-105
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• 2012

This paper compares the two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) approaches for the numerical determination of the equivalent mechanical properties of fractured rock masses. Both orthogonally-fractured model and discrete fracture networks (DFN) were used for the geometry and 2D models were cut in various directions from 3D model to compare their mechanical properties. Geological data were loosely based on the data available from Sellafield, UK. Analytical method based on compliance tensor transformation was used for investigation in orthogonally fractured rock and numerical experiments were conducted on fractured rock mass with DFN geometry. It is shown that 2D approach always overestimates the elastic modulus of fractured rock masses by a factor of up to around two because fractures are assumed to be perpendicular to the model plane in 2D problems. Poisson ratios tend to have larger values in 2D analysis while there is opposite trend in some sections. The study quantitatively demonstrates the limitation of the 2D approach that uses the simplified model from true 3D geometry.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.34-42
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• 2015

Feasibility tests for the hydraulic fracturing were conducted in order to secure additional saline groundwater for irrigating to the land-based aquaculture farm. Two boreholes were placed to the aquaculture farm A and B, respectively. A hydraulic fracturing using single packer was applied to major fracture zones within two boreholes. To identify effects of hydraulic fracturing on securing additional saline groundwater, some selective methods including well logging methods, pumping tests, and groundwater quality analysis were commonly applied to the boreholes before and after the hydraulic fracturing. Enlarging/creating fracture zones, increasing water contents in bedrock near boreholes, and increasing transmissivity were observed after the hydraulic fracturing. Even though the hydraulic fracturing could be an alternative to secure additional saline groundwater to the land-based aquaculture farm, salinity of the groundwater did not meet optimal thresholds for each fingerling in two farms: Fresh submarine groundwater discharge flowed the more into borehole of the farm A that resulted in decreasing a salinity value. Increased saline groundwater quantity in the borehole of the farm B rarely affect to the salinity. Although salinity problem of groundwater limited its direct use for the farms, the mixing with seawater could be effectively used for the fingerlings during the early stage. A horizontal radial collector well placed in the alluvial layer could be an alternative for the farms as well.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.345-351
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• 2017

Acid drainage in civil engineering structures such as tunnels may lead to the deposition of precipitates that clog drainage channels and pipework. In evaluating acid drainage, the Fe content of water and precipitates, indicated by reddish brown coloration of rock surfaces, rivers, and soils, may be an important factor. In this study, acid drainage was evaluated by analyzing the Fe content of reddish brown seepage water that occurred in part of a tunnel. Geological investigations around the tunnel revealed a hydrothermal alteration zone cutting the bedrock, and cropping out in the upper parts of the tunnel. Analysis of drillcore revealed many fracture zones and veins. Inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometric analyses of water, precipitates, and soil samples, collected in the seepage water zone and around the tunnel, were conducted to evaluate acid drainage. The Fe content of seepage water in the tunnel was 0.030-0.333 mg/kg, which is 2-22 times higher than in local groundwater. The Fe content of precipitates in the tunnel was 165,403-301,051 mg/kg, similar to the 206,167-422,964 mg/kg content of drillcore from the hydrothermal alteration zone located above the tunnel. It is concluded that the seepage water is derived from Fe-containing acid drainage flowing in perforated tunnel drainpipes along the fracture zones and veins around the hydrothermal alteration zone.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.126-138
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• 2002

Designing the bridge with wider span is the present-day trends. Therefore, constructing the foundation on the suitable ground is one of the important factor for the safety of bridge. But, getting a subsurface information under the river is not easy problem. This paper shows results of electrical resistivity survey at the river. Electrical resistivity survey have revealed geoelectrical structure successfully. The result is well matched with boring and can provide useful information on the geological structure such as fault fracture zone for suitable location of foundation. It is expected that application of electrical resistivity survey at the river will be helpful in preventing modification of design due to unexpected ground condition during the construction, or water contamination and increment of costs accompanied with ground reinforcement.