• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2022

The mechanical and thermal properties of the rock masses can affect the performance associated with both the isolating and retarding capacities of radioactive materials within the deep geological disposal system for High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLW). In this study, the essential parameters for the site descriptive model (SDM) related to the rock mechanics and thermal properties of the HLW disposal facilities site were reviewed, and the technical background was explored through the cases of the preceding site descriptive models developed by SKB (Swedish Nuclear and Fuel Management Company), Sweden and Posiva, Finland. SKB and Posiva studied parameters essential for the investigation and evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties, and derived a rock mechanics site descriptive model for safety evaluation and construction of the HLW disposal facilities. The rock mechanics SDM includes the results obtained from investigation and evaluation of the strength and deformability of intact rocks, fractures, and fractured rock masses, as well as the geometry of large-scaled deformation zones, the small-scaled fracture network system, thermal properties of rocks, and the in situ stress distribution of the disposal site. In addition, the site descriptive model should provide the sensitivity analysis results for the input parameters, and present the results obtained from evaluation of uncertainty.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.1C
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• pp.65-76
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• 2010

Recent earthquake events revealed that severe seismic damages were concentrated mostly at sites composed of soil sediments rather than firm rock. This indicates that the site effects inducing the amplification of earthquake ground motion are associated mainly with the spatial distribution and dynamic properties of the soils overlying bedrock. In this study, an integrated GIS-based information system for geotechnical data was constructed to establish a regional counterplan against ground motions at a representative metropolitan area, Seoul, in Korea. To implement the GIS-based geotechnical information system for the Seoul area, existing geotechnical investigation data were collected in and around the study area and additionally a walkover site survey was carried out to acquire surface geo-knowledge data. For practical application of the geotechnical information system used to estimate the site effects at the area of interest, seismic zoning maps of geotechnical earthquake engineering parameters, such as the depth to bedrock and the site period, were created and presented as regional synthetic strategy for earthquake-induced hazards prediction. In addition, seismic zonation of site classification was also performed to determine the site amplification coefficients for seismic design at any site and administrative sub-unit in the Seoul area. Based on the case study on seismic zonations for Seoul, it was verified that the GIS-based geotechnical information system was very useful for the regional prediction of seismic hazards and also the decision support for seismic hazard mitigation particularly at the metropolitan area.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.335-353
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• 2023

Site selection processes for high-level radioactive waste disposal facilities in different countries differ in terms of local geology and degree of public engagement. There seem to be three alternative processes for site selection: (1) selection with community consent after government choice; (2) selection with continuous community engagement after exclusion of unsuitable areas based on existing survey data; or (3) site selection where communities have expressed a willingness to participate. The Yucca Mountain site in Nevada, USA, was selected as the final disposal site by process (1) through six stages, but its development was suspended owing to opposition from the local governor and environmental groups. In Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany, process (2) is used and sites are selected through three stages. Sweden and Switzerland have completed site selection, and Germany is currently engaged in the process. The UK adopted process (3) with six stages, although the process has been suspended owing to poor community participation. In Korea, temporary storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel will reach saturation from 2030, so site selection must be promoted through various laws and systems, with continuous communication with local communities based on transparent and scientifically undertaken procedures.

• Nuclear industry
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• v.15 no.7 s.149
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• pp.56-59
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• 1995

국내 원전은 내진성 확보를 위해 부지의 선정단계에서는 원전의 예상입지를 중심으로 320km 내의 지진특성과 과거지진기록을 면밀히 분석$\cdot$반영하고, 부지중심으로 반경 8km 내에 대해서는 정밀지질조사를 실시하여 단층대나 연약지반 등 지진발생 가능지역은 제외시키고 있으며, 구조물의 설계와 설치시에는 과거의 지진발생기록을 근거로 하여, 발전소 인근지역에서 발생이 가능한 최대 지진과 부지의 지반특성, 그리고 구조물의 하중 등을 복합적으로 고려하여 내진설계하고 있다. 가동중에는 각종 자동지진감시계통이 지진발생 여부를 지속적으로 계측한 후에, 설계지진값의 절반인 지반가속도 0.1g 이상의 지진을 감지하면 자동경보장치를 작동시켜 즉각 운전이 정지되도록 설계되어 있다.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.3C
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• pp.187-196
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• 2008

An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 occurred at Ssang-gye-sa, a Buddhist temple in Jirisan, located near the southern border of the Korean peninsula on 4 July 1936. It resulted in severe damage of several buildings and structures in Ssang-gye-sa. Particularly, the top component of a five-story stone pagoda in the temple was tipped over and fell down during the earthquake. This earthquake damage case would be usefully applied to estimating the intensity of ground motion in the Korean peninsula, a moderate seismicity region, where strong motion has never been recorded with the exception of historic seismic events. In order to estimate the local site effects and the corresponding ground motion at Ssang-gye-sa site, intensive site investigations including borehole drilling and in-situ seismic tests such as crosshole and SASW tests were performed in the temple area. Based on the site characteristics, site-specific seismic response analyses using various input motions were conducted for a representative Ssang-gye-sa site by means of both one-dimensional equivalent-linear and nonlinear methods with six input rock outcrop acceleration levels ranging from 0.044g to 0.220g. The resultant site-specific seismic responses indicated the amplified ground motions in the short-period range near the site period of Ssang-gye-sa. Furthermore, the intensity on rock outcrop of the 1936 Jirisan earthquake was estimated by making a comparison between the site responses analysis results in this study and the full-scaled seismic test of pagoda model in the prior study.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.31-32
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• 1999

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.291-294
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• 2002

The Environmental Site Assessment System(ESAS) in Korea which became effective as of 2002 is very similar to the ASTM standard practice in United States. Unlike the United States, however, we do not have Phase I ESA, enough environmental professionals with approved training and practical experiences, and detailed guidelines for a governmental action. As a result of comparison the ESAS with the ASTM standard practice, the ASTM standard practice is focused on the Innocent Landowner Defense and has a difference in data search process as well as legal and methodological ways from the ESAS. Therefore, the Transaction Screen Process in ASTM E-1528 standard practice is suggested to reduce the risk potentially produced under on-site assessment and to achieve efficient on-site assessment. In addition, social and executive supports are discussed to more activate on-site assessment. In near future this study is expected to be standardized more in detail with activation of on-site assessment and it is also expected to increase the role and responsibility of environmental professionals considerably.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.276-282
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• 2003

The geoscientific study on geological disposal for radioactive wastes has established the stepwise site characterization program, methods and investigation technology. However the intrinsic properties of geological material such as heterogeneity and scale dependent properties make difficulty on satisfactory understanding of geological conditions. To avoid unnecessary time delay and unexpected extra-cost for site investigation, the accurate and complete site investigation program should be established in a stepwise manner and the QC programs for investigation methods and procedures. Moreover, the technical requirements and preferences for a repository should be distinguished and be assessed at the end of each investigation step.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.185-201
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• 2018

Nuclear power plants(NPP) are constructed and operated to ensure safety against natural disasters and man-made disasters in all processes including site selection, site survey, design, construction, and operation. This paper will introduce a series of efforts conducted in Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. Ltd., to assure the safety of nuclear power plant against earthquakes and other natural hazards. In particular, the present status of the earthquake, fault, and slope safety monitoring system for nuclear power plants is introduced. A earthquake observatory network for the NPP sites has been built up for nuclear safety and providing adequate seismic design standards for NPP sites by monitoring seismicity in and around NPPs since 1999. The Eupcheon Fault Monitoring System, composed of a strainmeter, seismometer, creepmeter, Global Positioning System, and groundwater meter, was installed to assess the safety of the Wolsung Nuclear Power Plant against earthquakes by monitoring the short- and long-term behavioral characteristics of the Eupcheon fault. Through the analysis of measured data, it was verified that the Eupcheon fault is a relatively stable fault that is not affected by earthquakes occurring around the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula. In addition, it was confirmed that the fault monitoring system could be very useful for seismic safety analysis and earthquake prediction study on the fault. K-SLOPE System for systematic slope monitoring was successfully developed for monitoring of the slope at nuclear power plants. Several kinds of monitoring devices including an inclinometer, tiltmeter, tension-wire, and precipitation gauge were installed on the NPP slope. A macro deformation analysis using terrestrial LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) was performed for overall slope deformation evaluation.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2007

The objectives of soil investigation in risk assessment of contaminated sites are to characterize the level and area of contamination, and provide the important physical and chemical properties of contaminated sites for later exposure assessment. This study suggests two soil investigation strategies to be considered in the soil risk assessment in Korea. First, soil investigation for characterizing soil properties is additionally required to the current investigation method that has focused on chemical analysis. Second, application of statistical concepts to soil investigation plan and soil data analysis are required for confidential decison-making on contamination and determining the exposure soil concentration. This study provides a practical soil investigation strategy to involve the current Korean soil analysis guidance with the minimum sample number required for satisfying statistical limits.