• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2008

To obtain the input data for the design and long-tenn performance assessment of a high-level waste repository, the thermal conductivities of several granite rocks which were taken from the rock cores from the declined borehole were measured. The rock specimens were sampled at the various depths from the surface, and the thermal conductivity was measured under the dry and water-saturated conditions. Under the dry condition, the thermal conductivities of the granite rocks decrease with increasing porosity and range from 2.1 W/mK to 3.1 W/mK. The water-saturated rock samples showed greater thermal conductivities than the dry samples, and the thermal conductivities of the granite rocks range from 2.9 W/mK 3.6 W/mK. The anisotropy effects on the thermal conductivity of granite of the site seem to be insignificant.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.335-358
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• 2020

We present a numerical model to simulate coupled hydro-mechanical behavior of fault using TOUGH-FLAC simulator. This study aims to develop a numerical method to estimate fluid injection-induced fault reactivation in low permeability rock and to access the relevant hydro-mechanical stability in rock as part of DECOVALEX-2019 Task B. A coupled fluid flow and mechanical interface model to explicitly represent a fault was suggested and validated from the applications to benchmark simulations and the field experiment at Mont Terri underground laboratory in Switzerland. The pressure build-up, hydraulic aperture evolution, displacement, and stress responses matched those obtained at the site, which indicates the capability of the model to appropriately capture the hydro-mechanical processes in rock fault.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.295-304
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• 2011

The first step in improving our understanding of uncertainties suclt as rock mass strength parameters and deformation modulus in rock masses around high-level radioactive waste disposal repositories, for improved safety, is to study the process of crack development in intact rock. Therefore, in this study, the fracture process and crack development were examined in samples of KURT granite taken from the KAERI Underground Research Tunnel (KURT), based on acoustic emission (AE) and moment tensor analysis. The results show that crack initiation, coalescence, and unstable crack occurred at rock uniaxial compressive strengths of 0.45, 0.73, and 0.84, respectively. In addition, moment tensor analysis indicated that during the early stage of loading, tensile cracks were predominant. With increasing applied stress, the number of shear cracks gradually increased. When the applied stress exceeded the stress level required for crack damage, unstable shear cracks which directly result in failure of the rock were generated along the failure plane.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.249-256
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• 2000

According to the industrial restructuring in the late 1980's, most domestic mines have been shutdown or suspended in operation. The closed underground excavation caverns remain in their abandoned conditions, and they will potentially cause environmental hazards. To evaluate the feasibility of the utilization of the abandoned caverns, the foreign crises were studied. As a result, we proposed several possible examples including underground storage cavern fur food products, underground compressed air energy system(CAES), and underground repository (or incineration plant) of industrial wastes. Among them, the underground waste repositories are most probable to be seen in Korea in the near future. For this, the study in rock engineering aspects should be conducted, which will include the establishment of support system and safety measure of the abandoned underground excavation caverns.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15-29
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• 2007

In situ and laboratory tests were carried out for investigating the Excavation Disturbed Zone(EDZ) generated from blasting at the KAERI Underground Research Tunnel(KURT), which is for the researches related to High-level radioactive waste disposal program. It was found that the EDZ was generated more than In from the laboratory rock tests and in situ experiments. RQD of the rock mass within $0{\sim}2(m)$, where the blasting impact was significant, was 17% lower than in the deeper zones without a serious blasting impact. It was also estimated that the deformability of rock mass was reduced about 40% after the blasting.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.138-152
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• 2003

Three-dimensional computer modeling using FLAC3D had been carried out fur evaluating the thermal-mechanical stability of a high-level radioactive waste repository excavated in several hundred deep location. For effective modeling, a FISH program was made and the geological conditions and rock properties achieved from the drilling sites in Kosung and Yusung areas were used. Sensitivity analysis fer the stresses and temperatures from the modeling designed utilizing fractional factorial design was carried out. From the sensitivity analysis, the important design parameters and their interactions could be determined. From this study, it was found that deposition hole spacing is the most important parameter on the thermal and mechanical stability. The second and third most important parameters were disposal tunnel and buffer thickness.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.556-567
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• 2015

The evaluation of THM coupling behavior in deep underground repository condition is essential for the long term safety and stability assessment of high-level radioactive waste repository. In order to develop reliable THM analysis techniques effectively, an international cooperation project, DECOVALEX, is carried out. In DECOVALEX-2015 Task B2, the in situ THM experiment planned to be conducted by JAEA was modeled by the research teams from the participating countries. In this study, a THM coupling technique combining TOUGH2 and FLAC was developed and applied to 1 dimensional THM modeling, in which rock, buffer, and heater are considered. The results were compared with those from other research teams.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2008

Mechanical excavation techniques employing tunnel boring machines (TBM) and rock splitters have been proposed to minimize rock damage for tunnel and underground waste repository facilities. Such a mechanical excavation, however, is extremely expensive and not applicable in all cases. For these reasons, controlled blasting using notched charge holes have been suggested to achieve crack growth along specific directions and inhibit growth along other directions. This study introduces a dynamic fracture process analysis code to simulate fracture processes of rock which has a notched charge hole.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.206-213
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• 2003

Laboratory testing of representative rock specimens is of fundamental necessity for the successful design and/or assessment of facilities associated with many kinds of underground exploitation, including the geological disposal of radioactive nuclear waste. As a fundamental and systematic study, a series of measurements of the physical, mechanical and hydraulic properties of Inada granite and Shirahama sandstone, two rock types that are widely available in Japan, have been performed. This paper presents the results of a study of the effective porosity, density, compressive and shear wave velocity, unconfined compressive strength and permeability of the two rocks. The anisotropy and the effects of confining pressure on the permeability of the rocks, as well as the relationships among the physical, mechanical and hydraulic properties, are also investigated and discussed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.71-83
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• 2002

본 기술보고에서는 미국의 고준위 방사성폐기물 발생 현황 및 최근 에너지성 장관의 최종 추천을 받는 등 활발하게 진행되고 있는 미국 유카산 고준위 방사성폐기물 처분장 후보 부지 선정 과정 및 조사 연구 현황을 요약하였다. 본 기술보고에 요약한 바와 같이 유카산 프로젝트의 자연 환경은 우리 나라와는 매우 상이하다. 그러나 세계 원자력 계에서의 미국의 영향력을 고려할 때 유카산 프로젝트의 성공은 2001년 핀란드 올킬루오토(Olkiluoto) 처분 부지 확보와 함께 원자력 계의 오랜 숙원이었던 고준위 방사성폐기물 처분을 실현시킴으로서 향후 원자력 에너지 사용의 증대와 함께 심부 지질에 대한 이해를 증진시키는데 크게 기여할 것이다.