• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.221-242
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• 2021

A numerical study of the performance assesment of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes in improved Korean reference disposal system (KRS⁺) for high-level radioactive waste is conducted using TOUGH2-MP/FLAC3D simulator. Decay heat from high-level radioactive waste increases the temperature of the repository, and it decreases as decay heat is reduced. The maximum temperature of the repository is below a maximum temperature criterion of 100℃. Saturation of bentonite buffer adjacent to the canister is initially reduced due to pore water evaporation induced by temperature increase. Bentonite buffer is saturated 250 years after the disposal of high-level radioactive waste by inflow of groundwater from the surrounding rock mass. Initial saturation of rock mass decreases as groundwater in rock mass is moved to bentnonite buffer by suction, but rock mass is saturated after inflow of groundwater from the far-field area. Stress changes at rock mass are compared to the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and the spalling strength in order to investigate the potential rock failure by thermal stress and swelling pressure. Additional simulations are conducted with the reduced spacing of deposition holes. The maximum temperature of bentonite buffer exceeds 100℃ as deposition hole spacing is smaller than 5.5 m. However, temperature of about 56.1% volume of bentonite buffer is below 90℃. The methodology of numerical modeling used in this study can be applied to the performance assessment of coupled THM processes for high-level radioactive waste repositories with various input parameters and geological conditions such as site-specific stress models and geothermal gradients.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.593-609
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• 2021

We proposed a numerical method for the thermo-mechanical behavior of rock fracture using a grain-based distinct element model (GBDEM) and simulated thermally induced fracture slip. The present study is the benchmark simulation performed as part of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G, which aims to develop a numerical method to estimate the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes within the crystalline rock fracture network. We represented the rock sample as an assembly of Voronoi grains and calculated the interaction of the grains (blocks) and their interfaces (contacts) using a distinct element code, 3DEC. Based on an equivalent continuum approach, the micro-parameters of grains and contacts were determined to reproduce rock as an elastic material. Then, the behavior of the fracture embedded in the rock was characterized by the contacts with Coulomb shear strength and tensile strength. In the benchmark simulation, we quantitatively examined the effects of the boundary stress and thermal stress due to heat conduction on fracture behavior, focusing on the mechanism of thermally induced fracture slip. The simulation results showed that the developed numerical model reasonably reproduced the thermal expansion and thermal stress increment, the fracture stress and displacement and the effect of boundary condition. We expect the numerical model to be enhanced by continuing collaboration and interaction with other research teams of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G and validated in further study experiments.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.45-52
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• 2022

Because discontinuity in the rock mass and contact of soil-structure interaction exhibits coupled thermal-hydromechanical (THM) behavior, it is necessary to develop an interface element based on the full governing equations. In this study, we derive force equilibrium, fluid continuity, and energy equilibrium equations for the interface element. Additionally, we present a stiffness matrix of the elastoplastic mechanical model for the interface element. The developed interface element uses six nodes for displacement and four nodes for water pressure and temperature in a two-dimensional analysis. The fully coupled THM analysis for fluid injection into a fault can model the complicated evolution of injection pressure due to decreasing effective stress in the fault and thermal contraction of the surrounding rock mass. However, the result of hydromechanical analysis ignoring thermal phenomena overestimates hydromechanical variables.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.270-288
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• 2021

We proposed a numerical method to simulate the hydro-mechanical behavior of rock fracture using a grain-based distinct element model (GBDEM) in the paper. As a part of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G, we verified the method via benchmarks with analytical solutions. DECOVALEX-2023 Task G aims to develop a numerical method to estimate the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes within the crystalline rock fracture network. We represented the rock sample as a group of tetrahedral grains and calculated the interaction of the grains and their interfaces using 3DEC. The micro-parameters of the grains and interfaces were determined by a new methodology based on an equivalent continuum approach. In benchmark modeling, a single fracture embedded in the rock was examined for the effects of fracture inclination and roughness, the boundary stress condition and the applied pressure. The simulation results showed that the developed numerical model reasonably reproduced the fracture slip induced by boundary stress condition, the fracture opening induced by fluid injection, the stress distribution variation with fracture inclination, and the fracture roughness effect. In addition, the fracture displacements associated with the opening and slip showed good agreement with the analytical solutions. We expect the numerical model to be enhanced by continuing collaboration and interaction with other research teams of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G and validated in further study experiments.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.39-62
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• 2020

In this study, Barcelona Basic Model (BBM) was implemented into TOUGH2-MP/FLAC3D for the numerical analysis of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) behavior of unsaturated soils and the prediction of long-term behaviors. Similar to the methodology described in a previous study for the implementation of BBM into TOUGH-FLAC, the User Defined Model (UDM) of FLAC based on the Modified Cam Clay Model (MCCM) and the FISH function of FLAC3D were used to extend the existing MCCM module in FLAC3D for the implementation of BBM into TOUGH2-MP/FLAC3D. In the developed BBM module in TOUGH2-MP/FLAC3D, the plastic strains due to change in suction increase (SI) in addition to mean effective stress are calculated. In addition to loading-collapse (LC) yield surface, suction increase (SI) yield surface is changed by hardening rules in the developed BBM module. Several numerical simulations were conducted to verify and validate the implementation of BBM: using an example presented in the FLAC3D manual for the standard MCCM, simulation results using COMSOL, and experimental data presented in SKB Reports. In addition, the developed BBM analysis module was validated by simultaneously performing a series of modeling tests that were performed for the validation of the Quick tools developed for the purpose of effectively deriving BBM parameters, and by comparing the Quick tools and Code_Bright results reported in a previous study.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.573-590
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• 2020

This study presents the current status of DECOVALEX-2023 project Task G and our research results so far. Task G, named 'Safety ImplicAtions of Fluid Flow, Shear, Thermal and Reaction Processes within Crystalline Rock Fracture NETworks (SAFENET)' aims at developing a numerical method to simulate the fracture creation and propagation, and the coupled thermohydro-mechanical processes in fracture in crystalline rocks. The first research step of Task G is a benchmark simulation, which is designed for research teams to make their modelling codes more robust and verify whether the models can represent an analytical solution for displacements of a single rock fracture. We reproduced the mechanical behavior of rock and embedded single fracture using a three-dimensional grain-based distinct element model for the simulations. In this method, the structure of the rock was represented by an assembly of rigid tetrahedral grains moving independently of each other, and the mechanical interactions at the grains and their contacts were calculated using 3DEC. The simulation results revealed that the stresses induced along the embedded fracture in the model were relatively low compared to those calculated by stress analysis due to stress redistribution and constrained fracture displacements. The fracture normal and shear displacements of the numerical model showed good agreement with the analytical solutions. The numerical model will be enhanced by continuing collaboration and interaction with other research teams of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G and validated using various experiments in a further study.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 2013

This paper presents the results of a numerical investigation into the behavior of retaining wall subject to cycles of freezing and thawing due to seasonal temperature change. The thermo-hydro-mechanical coupled finite element modeling strategy was first established to simulate the wall behavior. A series of finite element analyses were then performed on a range of conditions representing seasonal temperature change characteristics. The results indicated that the average freezing temperature and the number of cycles of freezing and thawing were the primary influencing factors for the wall behavior. Also revealed was that the duration of freezing period does not significantly affect the wall displacement and the lateral earth pressure, and that the earth pressure on the wall does not significantly change due to the freezing and thawing action suggesting that the increase in the wall displacement during the freezing and thawing action may be attributed to degradation of backfill due to the freezing and thawing action.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.1378-1383
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• 2008

댐 저수지에서 지속적인 탁도를 유발하는 물질은 쉽게 침강되지 않는 $20{\mu}m$이하의 작은 부유물질(SS)이며, 가을 수직혼합 시기까지 침강되지 않은 부유물질은 다시 재부상하는 경우도 발생한다. 저수지내 탁수의 장기 체류는 수자원 이용과 하류하천의 수생태계에 다양한 문제를 야기하고 있어 일부 댐에서는 실시간 탁도 감시 장치를 설치하고 취수설비를 개선하는 등의 탁수저감 대책의 노력을 기울이고 있으나, 시설의 최적 운영을 지원할 수 있는 탁수 거동 및 탁도 예측에 관한 연구는 아직 부족한 실정이다. 특히, 탁도는 물 속에 존재하는 부유물질의 광학적 특성(light attenuation)을 나타내는 지표로써 SS와는 물리적인 물성이 달라 실시간 계측자료(탁도)와 모델의 모의 변수(SS)가 다른 문제점 때문에 모델링에 어려움이 있었다. 지금까지 탁도 모델링은 대부분 탁도와 SS의 상관관계를 이용하는 방법을 사용하였다. 그러나 이 방법은 탁도-SS 관계가 실측지점과 입자크기분포에 따라 달라지는 특성 때문에 변환과정에 예측결과의 불확실성이 내재한다는 지적을 받아왔다. 본 연구의 목적은 저수지로 유입한 탁수의 보다 과학적이고 정확한 탁도 예측을 위해 탁도를 유발하는 부유물질의 입자크기 분포와 공간적으로 변하는 탁도-SS의 상관관계를 고려할 수 있는 표준화된 탁도 모델링 방법을 개발하고, 실측자료를 사용하여 제시된 탁도 모델링 방법의 예측 성능을 평가하는데 있다. 부유물질의 이송-확산-침강 모델은 2차원 횡방향 평균 수리 모델과 연결(coupling)되어 수행되며, 저수지 수면을 통한 열 교환, 바람과 바닥 조도에 의한 난류혼합과 성층해석, 하천 유입수의 저수지내 밀도류 유동, 그리고 입자 크기별 부유물질의 독립침강을 해석한다. 부유입자의 크기분포와 공간적으로 서로 다른 탁도-SS 관계를 고려한 탁도 예측모델은 기존의 탁도를 종속변수로 사용한 예측 방법 또는 단일 입자크기를 사용한 모델보다 개선된 모의결과를 보여주었다. 본 연구에서 제시된 탁도 예측 알고리즘은 실시간 탁수감시와 예측 모델링, 그리고 댐 방류수 탁도 관리를 위한 선택취수 설비의 운영을 위한 의사결정지원시스템에 적용 가능할 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.33-43
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• 2010

Geothermal energy is gaining wide attention as a highly efficient renewable energy and being increasingly used for heating/cooling systems of buildings. The standing column well (SCW) is especially efficient, cost-effective, and suitable for Korean geological and hydrological conditions. However, a numerical model that simulates the SCW has not yet been developed and applied in Korea. This paper describes the development of the SCW numerical model using a finite-volume analysis program. The model, through hydro-thermal coupled analyses, simulates heat transfer through advection, convection, and conduction. The accuracy of the model was verified through comparisons with field data measured at SCWs in the U.S. and Korea. Comparisons indicated that the SCW numerical model can closely predict the performance of a SCW. The numerical model was used to perform a comprehensive parametric study in the companion paper.