• Title/Summary/Keyword: rock fractures

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Relationship between fracture distribution and the acidity of mine drainage at the Il-Gwang Mine (일광광산의 절리분포 특성과 광산배수 산성도의 관계)

  • Choi, Jae-Young;Um, Jeong-Gi;Kwon, Hyun-Ho;Shim, Yon-Sik
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.20 no.4
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    • pp.425-436
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    • 2010
  • We established a stochastic 3-D fracture network system for fractured rock masses located in Il-Gwang Mine, Busan, to explore the relationship between the acidity of mine drainage and fracture geometry. A field scanline survey and borehole image processing were performed to estimate the best probability distributions of fracture geometry parameters. The stochastic 3-D fracture network system constructed for the rock masses was validated and deemed to be successful. The 3-D fracture network model was suitable for developing conceptual ideas on fluid flow in fractures at a field experimental site. An injection well and three observation wells were drilled at the field experimental site to monitor the acidity of mine drainage induced by the injection of fresh water. The field experiment, which was run for 29 days, yielded a significant relationship (with a high coefficient of determination) between the fracture geometry parameters and the acidity of mine drainage. The results show that pH increased with increasing relative frequency of fracture strike, and decreased with increasing fracture density. The concentration of $SO^{2-}_4$ decreased with increasing relative frequency of fracture strike, and increased with increasing fracture density.

Particle Based Discrete Element Modeling of Hydraulic Stimulation of Geothermal Reservoirs, Induced Seismicity and Fault Zone Deformation (수리자극에 의한 지열저류층에서의 유도지진과 단층대의 변형에 관한 입자기반 개별요소법 모델링 연구)

  • Yoon, Jeoung Seok;Hakimhashemi, Amir;Zang, Arno;Zimmermann, Gunter
    • Tunnel and Underground Space
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    • v.23 no.6
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    • pp.493-505
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    • 2013
  • This numerical study investigates seismicity and fault slip induced by fluid injection in deep geothermal reservoir with pre-existing fractures and fault. Particle Flow Code 2D is used with additionally implemented hydro-mechanical coupled fluid flow algorithm and acoustic emission moment tensor inversion algorithm. The output of the model includes spatio-temporal evolution of induced seismicity (hypocenter locations and magnitudes) and fault deformation (failure and slip) in relation to fluid pressure distribution. The model is applied to a case of fluid injection with constant rates changing in three steps using different fluid characters, i.e. the viscosity, and different injection locations. In fractured reservoir, spatio-temporal distribution of the induced seismicity differs significantly depending on the viscosity of the fracturing fluid. In a fractured reservoir, injection of low viscosity fluid results in larger volume of induced seismicity cloud as the fluid can migrate easily to the reservoir and cause large number and magnitude of induced seismicity in the post-shut-in period. In a faulted reservoir, fault deformation (co-seismic failure and aseismic slip) can occur by a small perturbation of fracturing fluid (<0.1 MPa) can be induced when the injection location is set close to the fault. The presented numerical model technique can practically be used in geothermal industry to predict the induced seismicity pattern and magnitude distribution resulting from hydraulic stimulation of geothermal reservoirs prior to actual injection operation.

Geochemical Modeling of Groundwater in Granitic Terrain: the Yeongcheon Area (영천 화강암지역 지하수의 지화학적 모델링)

  • Koh, Yong-Kwon;Kim, Chun-Soo;Bae, Dae-Seok;Yun, Seong-Taek
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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    • v.5 no.4
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    • pp.192-202
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    • 1998
  • We investigated the geochemistry and environmental isotopes of granite-bedrock groundwater in the Yeongcheon diversion tunnel which is located about 300 m below the land surface. The hydrochemistry of groundwaters belongs to the Ca-HCO$_3$type, and is controlled by flow systems and water-rock interaction in the flow conduits (fractures). The deuterium and oxygen-18 data are clustered along the meteoric water line, indicating that the groundwater are commonly of meteoric water origin and are not affected by secondary isotope effects such as evaporation and isotope exchange. Tritium data show that the groundwaters were mostly recharged before pre-thermonuclear period and have been mixed with younger surface water flowing down rapidly into the tunnel along fractured zones. Based on the mass balance and reaction simulation approaches, using both the hydrochemistry of groundwater and the secondary mineralogy of fracture-filling materials, we have modeled the low-temperature hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater in the area. The results of geochemical simulation show that the concentrations of Ca$\^$2+/, Na$\^$+/ and HCO$_3$and pH of waters increase progressively owing to the dissolution of reactive minerals in flow paths. The concentrations of Mg$\^$2+/ and K$\^$+/ frist increase with the dissolution, but later decrease when montmorillonite and illitic material are precipitated respectively. The continuous adding of reactive minerals, namely the progressively larger degrees of water/rock interaction, causes the formation of secondary minerals with the following sequence: first hematite, then gibbsite, then kaolinite, then montmorillonite, then illtic material, and finally microcline. During the simulation all the gibbsite is consumed, kaolinite precipitates and then the continuous reaction converts the kaolinite to montmorillonite and illitic material. The reaction simulation results agree well with the observed, water chemistry and secondary mineralogy, indicating the successful applicability of this simulation technique to delineate the complex hydrogeochemistry of bedrock groundwaters.

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Petrological and Geological Safety Diagnosis of Multi-storied Stone Pagoda in the Daewonsa Temple, Sancheong, Korea (대원사 다층석탑의 지질학적 및 암석학적 안전진단)

  • 이찬희;서만철
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.35 no.4
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    • pp.355-368
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    • 2002
  • The multi-storied Daewonsa stone pagoda (Treasure No. 1112) in the Sancheong, Korea was studied on the basis of deterioration and geological safety diagnosis. The stone pagoda is composed mainly of granitic gneiss, partly fine-grained granitic gneiss, leucocratic gneiss, biotite granite and ceramics. Each rock of the pagoda is highly exfoliated and fractured along the edges. Some fractures in the main body and roof stones are treated by cement mortar. This pagoda is strongly covered with yellowish to reddish brown tarnish due to the amorphous precipitates of iron hydroxides. Dark grey crust by manganese hydroxides occur Partly, and some Part coated with white grey gypsum and calcite aggregates from the reaction of cement mortar and rain. As the main body, roof and upper part of the pagoda, the rocks are developed into the radial and linear cracks. Surface of this pagoda shows partly yellowish brown, blue and green patchs because of contamination by algae, lichen, moss and bracken. Besides, wall-rocks of the Daewonsa temple and rock aggregates in the Daewonsa valley are changed reddish brown color with the same as those of the pagoda color. It suggests that the rocks around the Daewonsa temple are highly in iron and manganese concentrations compared with the normal granitic gneiss which color change is natural phenomena owing to the oxidation reaction by rain or surface water with rocks. Therefore, for the attenuation of secondary contamination, whitening and reddishness, the possible conservation treatments are needed. Consisting rocks of the pagoda would be epoxy to reinforce the fracture systems for the structural stability on the basements.

A Study of Roughness Measurement of Rock Discontinuities Using a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (콘포컬 레이저 현미경을 이용한 불연속면의 거칠기 측정 연구)

  • Byung Gon Chae;Jae Yong Song;Gyo Cheol Jeong
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.12 no.4
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    • pp.405-419
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    • 2002
  • Fracture roughness of rock specimens is observed by a new confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM; Olympus OLS1100). The wave length of laser is 488 nm, and the laser scanning is managed by a light polarization method using two galvano-meter scanner mirrors. The function of laser reflection auto-focusing enables us to measure line data fast and precisely. The system improves resolution in the light axis (namely z) direction because of the confocal optics. Using the CLSM, it is Possible to measure a specimen of the size up to $10{\;}{\times}{\;}10{\;}cm$ which is fixed on a specially designed stage. A sampling is managed in a spacing $2.5{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ along x and y directions. The highest measurement resolution of z direction is $10{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$, which is more accurate than other methods. Core specimens of coarse and fine grained granite are provided. Fractures are artificially maneuvered by a Brazilian test method. Measurements are performed along three scan lines on each fracture surface. The measured data are represented as 2-D and 3-D digital images showing detailed features of roughness. Line profiles of the coarse granites represent more frequent change of undulation than those of the fine granite. Spectral analyses by the fast Fourier transform (FFT) are performed to characterize the roughness data quantitatively and to identify influential frequency of roughness. The FFT results suggest that a specimen loaded by large and low frequency energy tends to have high values of undulation change and large wave length of fracture roughness.

A Study on the Correlation between Coal Mining Subsidence and Underground Goaf (페탄광지역의 지반침하발생과 지하 채굴적의 상관관계 연구)

  • Choi, Jong-Kuk;Kim, Ki-Dong;Song, Kyo-Young;Jo, Min-Jeong
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.41 no.4
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    • pp.453-464
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    • 2008
  • This study is to examine a relation between coal mining subsidence occurrence at abandoned underground coal mines and underground goaf with respect to surface geology, subsurface structure, depth and thickness of coal beds and the distribution of drifts. A study is carried out at the site where susceptibility of coal mining subsidence was proven high in a previous study. In that previous study, the susceptibility of coal mining subsidence was spatially analyzed by GIS using digitized geological maps, investigation reports, digitized mining tunnel maps without consideration of subsurface structure and the multi-level arrangement of drifts. Here we analyze geological characteristics around the goaf and the distribution of coal seam based upon digitized geological maps and investigation reports on the study area. And digitized mining tunnel maps are also used to analyze the depth and multi-level arrangement of drifts. The results show that weakened surface rock strength, relatively shallow depth and large thickness of coal seam below the surface are closely related to the coal mining subsidence occurrence. Complicatedly inter-connected drifts, shallow depth of drifts and surface rock fractures are revealed as additional control factors affecting coal mining subsidence. These factors examined in this study as well as original factors should be taken into account for the quantitative estimation of coal mining subsidence occurrence at abandoned underground coal mine.

The Structural Safety Diagnosis of Three-Story Pagoda in Bulkuk Temple Using the Probability of Failure. (암석의 파괴 확률 분석을 통한 불국사 삼층석탑 구조 안전 진단)

  • Seo, Man-Cheol;Song, In-Seon;Choe, Hui-Su
    • Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.57-69
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    • 2001
  • We have carried out a nondestructive close examination for the purpose of the structural safety diagnosis of the Three-Story Pagoda(Seokga Pagoda) in Bulkuk temple in the city of Kyungju, Kyungbuk, Korea. Ultrasonic wave velocities were measured at 456 points of the pagoda comprising 44 blocks to estimate the mechanical properties of rock blocks constituting the pagoda. The measured velocities have the range of 1217 to 4403 m/sec with the average of 3227 m/sec. The empirical relationship between the ultrasonic velocity and the uniaxial compressive strength yielded the estimation of strength of each block, ranging from 134 to 844 kg/cm^2 and averaging 463 kg/cm^2. With an assumption that the strength of each block is described as a random variables having a normal distribution, we calculated the probability of failure of rock blocks of the pagoda. Our investigation revealed that the probability of the structural failure due to the weight of higher blocks is very low. However, the probability of partial failure around contact area is substantial, which is consistent with the appearance that edges and the corners of some blocks were broken off. The platform under the body of the pagoda appeared to be structurally weak as the probability of tensile failure of the lower platform is up to 18%, and diagonal fractures are shown where the probability of failure is high.

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Characteristics of Asbestos Occurrence in the Vicinity of Serpentine Mines in the Western Part of Chungnam: A Study Based on the Hongseong and Bibong Mine Areas (충남 서부 사문석 광산 인근에서의 석면 산출 특성: 홍성 및 비봉광산을 중심으로)

  • Seokhwan Song
    • Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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    • v.36 no.4
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    • pp.233-257
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    • 2023
  • Asbestos minerals are found at rocks and soils of the Hongseong and Bibong serpentine mines, western part of Chungnam. The area consists of and metasediment, and Mesozoic igneous intrusives with minor age-known gneiss complexes and Mesozoic sediments. With detailed geological investigations, rock samples for the serpentinite and amphibolite areas are collected at sites containing asbestos. Representative asbestos and rock samples are analysed by PLM, XRD, SEM and EPMA. Serpentinites are found as steeply dipping faults with adjacent gneiss complex to the NNE direction. Repeated alteration, including serpenitization and talcification, is found at the emplacement direction for the serpentinite body. Amphibollites occur as intrusives and stratiforms within the Precambrian gneiss complex. Serpentinite and amphibolite (or amphibole schist) contain amphiboles either as asbestiform or non-asbestiform. Varying amounts of asbestos minerals, including chrysotile, tremolite asbestos and actinolite asbestos, are found within the serpentinites. The asbestos minerals are found near the cracks or fractures and along the bedding plane. They occur as cross fiber, slip fiber and mass fiber types. Varying amounts of amphibole asbestos minerals, such as tremolite and actinolite asbestos, are found within amphibolites and as a mass fiber type. Overall results suggest that rocks of the serpentine mines contain serpentine and amphibole type asbestos minerals originated from the hydrothermal alteration. Considering construction nearby the mines and environmental risks by the asbestos, additional land management plans are required.

Grain Size and Texture of Silver Minerals from Duk-Eum Ore Deposits (덕음광산(德音鑛山) 은광물(銀鑛物)의 입도(粒度)와 조직(組織))

  • Yang, Dong Yun;Chi, Jeong Mahn
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.19 no.spc
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    • pp.227-237
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    • 1986
  • The Duk-Eum mine located in Kongsan-myeon, Naju-gun, Cheolanamdo is producing silver ore mainly, with rare gold association. The grade-up and recovery of the concentrates have been concerned to the main problem. And then, this study aimed at applying the basic data for ore processing. In the first half of the study, the attempts were made to identify the ore minerals, this followed by determination of the mineral texture, paragenesis, grain size, and size distribution by employing the microscopical method and the etching test. The results of the study are as follows: 1. The ore deposit is composed of the hydrothermal fissure linked veins, and filling cavities are mostly tensile fractures or joints, in rhyolitic rocks as a wall rock. 2. The principle ore minerals are native silver, acanthite, canfieldite, pyrargyrite, galena, tetrahedrite, sphalerite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, covellite, zincite, and the gangue minerals are quartz and calcite. 3. The grain size of each ore minerals before grinding are; max. $2\frac{1}{2}$ mesh, medium 48-100 mesh(main size, contained over 80%), min. 3200mesh. And the grain size of each ore minerals after grinding is; max. 42mesh, medium 65-250mesh(main size, contained over 80%), min. 3200mesh. 4. The properties of the mineral texture effected on the ore dressing are follows; a) Inclusion texture; the fine grains of chalcopyrite is included in most acanthite, and rarely, that of galena included in acanthite. b) Exsolution texture; pyrargyrite is exsolved in acanthite. c) Replacement texture; native silver replaced pyrargyrite, and acanthite replaced galena. d) Interlocking paragenetic texture; the interlocking paragenetic minerals are pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, canfieldite. e) Fissure filling texture; chalcopyrite was filled along the cracks in acanthite. Among of the above texture, it is impossible to liberate the grains of a), and more difficult to liberate those of b) and c), while easy to liberate those of d) and e).

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Genesis of the Lead-Zinc-Silver and Iron Deposits of the Janggun Mine, as Related to Their Structural Features Structural Control and Wall Rock Alteration of Ore-Formation (장군광산(將軍鑛山)의 연(鉛)·아연(亞鉛)·은(銀) 및 철(鐵) 광상(鑛床)의 성인(成因)과 지질구조(地質構造)와의 관계(關係) - 광상(鑛床) 생성(生成)의 지질구조(地質構造) 규제(規制)와 모암(母岩)의 변질(變質) -)

  • Lee, Hyun Koo;Ko, Suck Jin;Naoya, Imai
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.161-181
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    • 1990
  • The lead-zinc-silver-iron deposits from the Janggun mine are of hydrothermal-metasomatic origin, characterized by the marked hydrothermal alteration of the wallrocks, such as hydrothermal manganese enrichment of carbonate rocks, silicification, chloritization, sericitization, montmorillonitization and argillic alteration. The ore deposits have been emplaced within the Janggun Limestone of Cambro-Ordovician age at the immediate contacts with apophyses injected from the Chunyang Granite plutons of Late Jurrasic age. They have been structurally controlled by fractures in the carbonate rocks and the irregular intrusive contacts of granitic rocks, and are closely associated with hypogene manganese carbonate deposits. In the mine nine seperate orebodies are being mined. On the basis of the petrological study, hydrothermal alteration zone of this mine may be divided into the following four zones from wallrock to orebody. (I) Primary calcite and dolomite zone${\rightarrow}$(II) dolomitic limestone zone${\rightarrow}$(III) dolomitic zone${\rightarrow}$(IV) rhodochrosite zone${\rightarrow}$ orebody. There was not recongnized Mn and Fe elements in the primary calcite and dolomite zone. But, in the dolomitic limestone and dolomite zone, calcite and dolomite were subjected to weak hydrothermal manganese enrichment and the grade of the manganese enrichment increase oreward. By means of electron probe microanalysis, it was found that manganoan dolomite occured between primary dolomite grains, cross the cleavage of the primary dolomite and around the dolomite grains. Above these result supports that the Janggun manganese carbonate deposits are of hydrothermal metasomatic origin.

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