• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.217-228
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• 2024

During deep drilling, confined aquifers can present various challenges such as the inability to remove cuttings, rapid groundwater influx, and mud loss. Particularly in flowing well conditions, it is essential to apply the suitable mud density since the aquifer can generates an overpressurized condition. This paper proposes a method for determining the suitable mud density while drilling (SMD) through confined aquifers using mud window analysis and applies it to a case study. The minimum mud density at each depth, which represents the lower limit of the mud window, is determined by the equivalent mud density pore pressure gradient (or by adding a trip margin) at that depth. The pore pressure gradient of a confined aquifer can be calculated using the piezometric level or well head pressure of the aquifer. As the borehole reaches the confined aquifer, there is a significant increase in pore pressure gradient, which gradually decreases with increasing depth. The SMD to prevent a kick can be determined as the maximum value among the minimum mud densities in the open hole section. After entering the confined aquifer, SMD is maintained as the minimum mud density at the top of the aquifer during the drilling of the open hole section. Additionally, appropriate casing installation can reduce the SMD, minimizing the risk of mud loss or invasion into the highly permeable aquifer.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.249-262
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• 2024

Retaining walls are widely used in the construction of underground structures. This study reviews the stability of the high-strength joint buried pile method at a site in Korea. [Consider giving details of the location.] The method is assessed by considering the amount of ground settlement, as calculated by finite element analysis and measured at the site. Comparison of the measured and numerical results confirmed the method's stability and field applicability. Settlement of 13.42~13.65 mm was calculated for seven cross-sections [The Abstract should be comprehensible without reference to the main text. The labels A-A' to G-G' should not be introduced here without explanation.] using numerical analysis, and the measured settlement reached a maximum of 2.00 mm. The observed differences and variations [Please state what differed/varied.] did not exceed the design expectations in any section. Instruments installed at the back of the excavation area were used to assess the conditions. An underground gradient meter recorded a cumulative horizontal displacement of between -0.40 and 0.60 mm, and an underground water meter recorded slight displacements of between -0.21 and 0.28 m compared with the initial measurements. A surface settlement meter observed very little movement, with a maximum of -2.00 mm compared with the initial measurement, thereby confirming the establishment of a stable state within the management criteria.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

South Korea's mining industry was actively developed until 1980, but subsequent declining profitability forced many mines to close. Most of the abandoned mines are susceptible to persistent subsidence because of the length of time since mining ceased. Accurate prediction of the locations and times of subsidence is difficult; therefore, this study aims to apply continuum analysis to past cases of subsidence to establish a method of predicting the location and magnitude of future subsidence. The study area is an area of ○○ mining located between the Yangsan fault zone and the Moryang fault zone, in which three subsidence events occurred between 2005 and 2009. Drilling surveys and electrical resistivity surveys were performed at subsidence sites determined the distribution of strata, and through laboratory tests obtained the physico-mechanical properties of the rock. Numerical analysis of the results found that the plastic status area includes the areas of actual subsidence and that continuum analysis can also be used to predict the location and magnitude of subsidence caused by mine goaf.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2024

Through the development of construction technology, various construction projects such as redevelopment projects, undergrounding of roads, expansion of subways, and metro railways are being carried out. However, this has led to an increase in the number of construction projects in existing urban centers and neighborhoods, resulting in an increase in the number of damages and disputes between neighboring buildings and residents, as well as an increase in safety accidents due to the aging of existing buildings. In this study, digital data was applied to a graphics program to objectify the progress of cracks by comparing the creation of cracks and the increase in length and width through photographic images and presenting the degree of cracks numerically. Through the application of the program, the error caused by the subjective judgment of crack change, which was mentioned as a shortcoming of the existing field survey, was solved. It is expected that the program can be used universally in the building diagnosis process by improving its reliability if supplemented and improved in the process of use. As a follow-up study, it is necessary to apply the extraction algorithm of the digital graphic data program to calculate the length and width of the crack by itself without human intervention in the preprocessing work and to check the overall change of the building.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 2024

In this study, we analyze the structure of the Korea-Japan Joint Development Zone (JDZ) using gravity, magnetic, and seismic data. Gravity and magnetic data analysis confirmed that the Jeju Basin exhibits low anomalies compared to adjacent areas. We applied the total gradient to the Bouguer anomaly to identify basin boundaries, and computed the analytic signal from the total magnetic anomaly data to enhance the edges of the magnetic anomalies. The Taiwan-Sinzi Belt, exhibits high magnetic anomalies and crosses the center of the JDZ in the northeast-southwest direction; we presume that intrusive rocks are sporadic in the JDZ. The 3D inversion results of the gravity and magnetic data show a strong correlation between magnetic susceptibility and density (i.e. a low-density zone in the Jeju Basin and the Ho Basin, and a high magnetic susceptibility distribution in the Taiwan-Sinzi Belt). Comparison of the density and seismic profiles of the Jeju Basin shows that high densities are associated with sill, horst, and basement highs, whereas low densities are associated with basement low and grabens. These results suggest that interpretations based on seismic, gravity and magnetic data can effectively reveal the subsurface structure of the JDZ.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2024

An image-reconstruction technology, involving the deployment of an unmanned mobility equipped with high-speed LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) has been proposed to reconstruct the shape of abandoned mine. Unmanned mobility operation is remarkably useful in abandoned mines fraught with operational difficulties including, but not limited to, obstacles, sludge, underwater and narrow tunnel with the diameter of 1.5 m or more. For cases of real abandoned mines, quadruped robots, quadcopter drones and underwater drones are respectively deployed on land, air, and water-filled sites. In addition to the advantage of scanning the abandoned mines with 2D solid-state lidar sensors, rotation of radiation at an inclination angle offers an increased efficiency for simultaneous reconstruction of mineshaft shapes and detecting obstacles. Sensor and robot posture were used for computing rotation matrices that helped compute geographical coordinates of the solid-state lidar data. Next, the quadruped robot scanned the actual site to reconstruct tunnel shape. Lastly, the optimal elements necessary to increase utility in actual fields were found and proposed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.28-53
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• 2024

In general, high-level radioactive waste (HLW) generated as a result of nuclear power generation should be disposed within the country. Determination of the disposal site and host rock for HLW deep geological repository is an important issue not only scientifically but also politically, economically, and socially. Considered host rock types worldwide for geological disposal include crystalline rocks, sedimentary rocks, volcanic rocks, and salt dome. However, South Korea consists of various rock types except salt dome. This paper not only analyzed the geological and rock mechanical characteristics on a nationwide scale with the preliminary results on various rock type studies for the disposal host rock, but also reviewed the characteristics and possibility of various rock types as a host rock through deep drilling surveys. Based on the nationwide screening for host rock types resulted from literature review, rock distributions, and detailed case studies, Jurassic granites and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks (Jinju and Jindong formations) were derived as a possible candidate host rock types for the geological disposal. However, since the analyzed data for candidate rock types from this study is not enough, it is suggested that the disposal rock type should be carefully determined from additional and detailed analysis on disposal depth, regional characteristics, multidisciplinary investigations, etc.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.89-103
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• 2024

In the disposal environment, gases can be generated at the interface between canister and buffer due to various factors such as anaerobic corrosion, radiolysis, and microbial degradation. If the gas generation rate exceeds the diffusion rate, the gas within the buffer may compress, resulting in physical damage to the buffer due to the increased pore pressure. In particular, the rapid movement of gases, known as gas breakthroughs, through the dilatancy pathway formed during this process may lead to releasing radionuclide. Therefore, understanding these gas generation and movement mechanism is essential for the safety assessment of the disposal systems. In this study, an experimental apparatus for investigating gas migration within buffer was constructed based on a literature review. Subsequently, a gas injection experiment was conducted on a compacted bentonite block made of Bentonile WRK (Clariant Ltd.) powder. The results clearly demonstrated a sharp increase in stress and pressure typically observed at the onset of gas breakthrough within the buffer. Additionally, the range of stresses induced by the swelling phenomenon of the buffer, was 4.7 to 9.1 MPa. The apparent gas entry pressure was determined to be approximately 7.8 MPa. The equipment established in this study is expected to be utilized for various experiments aimed at building a database on the initial properties of buffer and the conditions during gas injection, contributing to understanding the gas migration phenomena.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.104-126
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• 2024

Buffer and backfill play an essential role in isolating high-level radioactive waste and retard the migration of leaked radionuclides in deep geological disposal system. A bentonite mixture, which exhibits a swelling property, is considered for buffer and backfill materials, and excessive groundwater inflow from surrounding rock mass may affect stability and efficiency of their role as an engineered barrier. Therefore, stringent quality control as well as in-situ installation management and inflow water constrol for buffer and backfill are required to ensure the safety of deep disposal facilities. In this study, we analyzed the design requirements of buffer and backfill by examining various laboratory tests and a field study of the Steel Tunnel Test at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory in Sweden. We introduced how to control the quality of buffer and backfill construction in-field, and also presented how to handle excessive groundwater inflow into disposal caverns, validating the groundwater retention capacity of bentonite pellets and the effectiveness of geotexile use.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.13 no.6 s.58
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• pp.192-203
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• 2009

In the new Seoul-Busan high speed railroad construction specially in area of city center passage the roadbed establishment is recommended the staibility for the existing subway tunnel segments of Busan subway 1st and 2nd lines regarding the appearance condition, a quality condition and the durability of the objective facility, and it evaluates the numerical analysis using MIDAS/GTS which leads the stability of the objective facility and investigatesd tunnels. Fundamental issues in tunneling under high groundwater table are discussed and the effect of groundwater on tunnel excavation was examined using a 3D stress-pore pressure coupled Finite-Element Method. Based on the results the interaction mechanism between the tunnelling and groundwater is identified. In the both of 1st and 2nd Line the maximum sinkage, unequal sinkage and the lining stress from numerical analysis are within permission and the damage degree is appearing to be disregarded. But it enforces necessary Pre-grouting in order to minimize an actual tunnel face conduct and when the tunnel is excavated it is also necessary to minimize the outflow possibility.