• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.37-49
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• 2018

Since the observation of ground motions in South Korea, liquefaction manifestation was the first to be observed in Pohang earthquake in 2017 with $M_L$ 5.4. Because liquefaction causes ground settlement and lateral spread damaging in-ground or super structures, various researchers have been analyzing the Pohang liquefaction case history to better understand and predict liquefaction consequence and to prevent future disasters. In prior research at the 2018 EESK conference, a map of Liquefaction Potential Index (LPI), indicating the severity of liquefaction, in Pohang was created and compared with damage observations. The LPI correlated well with the observations, but the severity categorized by LPI range was significantly higher than the actual observations in most regions. The prior LPI map was created evaluating ground motions using the simplified approach. In this research, we perform the effective site response analyses with porewater pressure generation model for the detailed evaluation of liquefaction on the liquefied sites in Pohang. We found that the simplified approach for LPI evaluation can overestimate the severity.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.107-115
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• 2019

Recently, since earthquakes have happened frequently in Gyeongju and Pohang areas in Korea, the earthquake detection research gets lots of attention. Geophysical monitoring data have been changed during the earthquake activity because the huge amount of energy is accumulated. The change of telluric current can be predicted by both of piezoelectric and electrokinetic effects before or during the earthquake occurrence, and if the change value exceeds the conventional telluric current noise, we can measure changes in the electric field associated with earthquakes. In this study, we have self-developed and verified the system that can monitor the telluric current. In order to verify our telluric current monitoring system, we installed lines of 40 m (E-W direction) and 28 m (N-S direction) on the site in Pohang. The telluric currents were sampled at 1 kHz for about a month. We have compared and analyzed the data of earthquake signals and electrical noises based on the earthquakes that occurred during the monitoring period. We have monitored if there were significant signals related to the earthquake on measured time series data. Through this study, we will suggest the direction of continuous research in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.57-71
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• 2020

Liquefaction-induced sand boils were observed during the Pohang earthquake (Moment magnitude, 5.4) on November 15, 2017, specifically in the region of agricultural fields and park areas near the epicenter. This was recorded as the first observed liquefaction phenomenon in Korea. This paper analyzes liquefaction potentials at the key sites at Pohang area. The simplified methods and current design standard were used to evaluate the occurrence of liquefaction. The seismic demand was estimated based on the NGA-WEST2 ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs). The liquefaction resistance of the ground was determined using the in-situ tests: standard penetration test (SPT) and cone penetration test (CPT). The liquefaction potentials were quantified by liquefaction potential index (LPI), which were compared with those from the previous studies.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.159-164
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• 2024

Recent earthquakes in Korea, like Gyeongju and Pohang, have highlighted the need for accurate seismic hazard assessment. The lack of substantial ground motion data necessitates stochastic simulation methods, traditionally used with a simplistic point-source assumption. However, as earthquake magnitude increases, the influence of finite faults grows, demanding the adoption of finite faults in simulations for accurate ground motion estimates. We analyzed variations in simulated ground motions with and without the finite fault method for earthquakes with magnitude (Mw) ranging from 5.0 to 7.0, comparing pseudo-spectral acceleration. We also studied how slip distribution and hypocenter location affect simulations for a virtual earthquake that mimics the Gyeongju earthquake with Mw 5.4. Our findings reveal that finite fault effects become significant at magnitudes above Mw 5.8, particularly at high frequencies. Notably, near the hypocenter, the virtual earthquake's ground motion significantly changes using a finite fault model, especially with heterogeneous slip distribution. Therefore, applying finite fault models is crucial for simulating ground motions of large earthquakes (Mw ≥ 5.8 magnitude). Moreover, for accurate simulations of actual earthquakes with complex rupture processes having strong localized slips, incorporating finite faults is essential even for more minor earthquakes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.411-417
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• 2020

Therefore, it was agreed that an earthquake monitoring station should be set up within the site of Handong University by analyzing drilling data and Disaster such as earthquakes is urgently needed to prepare for earthquakes in that people's lives and national development depend on the nation's ability to manage disasters. Many experts say that the Korean Peninsula is also under the influence of earthquakes and is not a safe zone for earthquakes. A seismological observatory will be established in Pohang to monitor ground sensors and study seismic characteristics through the task of "Development of Smart Sensor-based Intelligent Information Platform in Earthquake Region." Therefore, it was agreed to set up a seismological observatory within the site of Handong University by analyzing drilling data and conducting on-site surveys in northern Pohang, which were heavily damaged by liquefaction and earthquakes. In this study, it was decided to make a comprehensive judgment by considering the geological characteristics of the site, whether it can perform functions, and the convenience of construction and maintenance for the final site of the seismological observatory discussed with Handong University. After completing a feasibility review on selecting a site for Handong University, we will establish a seismological observatory and actively utilize it for seismic research using data from alarm issuance and seismic data in the event of a future earthquake.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.393-400
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• 2018

Despite some skeptical views on the possibility of earthquake prediction, observation and evaluation of precursory changes have been continued throughout the world. In Korea, the public concern on the earthquake prediction has been increased after 2016 $M_L5.8$ and 2017 $M_L5.4$ earthquakes occurred in Gyeongju and Pohang, the southeastern part in Korea, respectively. In this study, the abnormal increase of groundwater level was observed before the 2016 $M_L5.8$ Gyeongju earthquake in a borehole located in 52 km away from the epicenter. The well was installed in the Yangsan fault zone, and equipped for the earthquake surveillance. The abnormal change in the well would seem to be a precursor, considering the hydrogeological condition and the observations from previous studies. It is necessary to set up a specialized council to support and evaluate the earthquake prediction and related researches for the preparation of future earthquake hazards.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.261-269
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• 2018

This study examines earthquake-induced sloshing effects on liquid storage tanks using computation fluid dynamics. To achieve this goal, this study selects an existing square steel tank tested by Seismic Simulation Test Center at Pusan National University as a case study. The model validation was firstly performed through the comparison of shaking table test data and simulated results for the water tank subjected to a harmonic excitation. For a realistic estimation of the wall pressure response of the water tank, three recorded earthquakes with similar peak ground acceleration are applied:1940 El Centro earthquake, 2016 Gyeongju earthquake, and 2017 Pohang earthquake. Wall pressures monitored during the dynamic analyses are examined and compared for different earthquake motions and monitoring points, using power spectrum density. Finally, the maximum dynamic pressure for three earthquakes is compared with the design pressure calculated from a seismic design code. Results indicated that the maximum pressure from the El Centro earthquake exceeds the design pressure although its peak ground acceleration is less than 0.4 g, which is the design acceleration. On the other hand, the maximum pressure due to two Korean earthquakes does not reach the design pressure. Thus, engineers should not consider only the peak ground acceleration when determining the design pressure of water tanks.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.305-314
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• 2021

The Gyeongju and Pohang earthquakes caused damages to many cultural properties; particularly, stone pagoda structures were significantly damaged among masonry cultural properties. To preserve these structures, it is necessary to understand their dynamic behavior characteristics under earthquakes. Analyses on such areas as deformation, frequency, maximum acceleration, permanent displacement, sliding, and rocking have to be performed. Although many analytical studies have already been conducted, dynamic behavior studies based on experiments are insufficient. Therefore, this study analyzed dynamic behavior characteristics by performing a shaking table experiment on a three-story stone pagoda structure at the Cheollongsa temple site damaged by the Gyeongju earthquake. As a result of the experiment, the displacements of stylobates did not occur significantly, but the tower body parts rotated. In particular, the rotation of the 1F main body stone was relatively larger than that of the other chief body stones because the 1F main body stone is relatively more slender than the other parts. In addition, the decorative top was identified as the component most vulnerable to sliding. This study found that the 1F main body stone is vulnerable to rocking, and the parts located on the upper part are more vulnerable to sliding.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.165-175
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• 2022

Earthquakes have occurred owing to movements on a fault since several billion years ago. Research on the relationship between earthquakes and groundwater began in the 1960s in the United States, but related works, including hydrogeochemistry research, only began in the 2010s in South Korea. In this study, domestic studies on the relationship between earthquakes and groundwater until 2021 were collected from the Web of Science and characterized by subject area (groundwater level, hydrogeochemistry, combination of the two, and others). The results showed that the number of published articles per year was positively correlated with the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, 2016 Gyeongju earthquake, and 2017 Pohang earthquake, with the maximum numbers observed in 2011, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Most studies on the relationship between earthquakes and groundwater level addressed groundwater level fluctuations in the duration of the subject earthquake, with little consideration of the precursors. Groundwater level monitoring data, as well as hydrogeochemical information and microbial communities, may contribute to a more detailed understanding of groundwater flow and chemical reactions in bedrock caused by earthquakes. Therefore, the establishment of a national groundwater monitoring network for seismic monitoring and prediction is required.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2023

A bridge transportation network supplies products from various source nodes to destination nodes through bridge structures in a target region. However, recent frequent earthquakes have caused damage to bridge structures, resulting in extreme direct damage to the target area as well as indirect damage to other lifeline structures. Therefore, in this study, a surrogate model-based comprehensive framework to estimate the seismic resilience of bridge transportation networks is proposed. For this purpose, total system travel time (TSTT) is introduced for accurate performance indicator of the bridge transportation network, and an artificial neural network (ANN)-based surrogate model is constructed to reduce traffic analysis time for high-dimensional TSTT computation. The proposed framework includes procedures for constructing an ANN-based surrogate model to accelerate network performance computation, as well as conventional procedures such as direct Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) calculation and bridge restoration calculation. To demonstrate the proposed framework, Pohang bridge transportation network is reconstructed based on geographic information system (GIS) data, and an ANN model is constructed with the damage states of the transportation network and TSTT using the representative earthquake epicenter in the target area. For obtaining the seismic resilience curve of the Pohang region, five epicenters are considered, with earthquake magnitudes 6.0 to 8.0, and the direct and indirect damages of the bridge transportation network are evaluated. Thus, it is concluded that the proposed surrogate model-based framework can efficiently evaluate the seismic resilience of a high-dimensional bridge transportation network, and also it can be used for decision-making to minimize damage.