• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.134-148
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• 2008

The state of in situ stress is an important factor in considering the suitability of a site as a geological repository for nuclear waste. In this study, three-dimensional distinct numerical analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of deformation zones on the state of stress in the Oskarshamn area, which is one of two candidate sites in Sweden. A discontinuum numerical model was constructed by explicitly representing the numerous deformation zones identified from site investigation and far-field tectonic stress was applied in the constructed model. The numerical model successfully captured the variation of measured stress often observed in the rock mass containing large-scale fractures, which shows that numerical analysis can be an effective tool in improving the understanding of the state of stresses. Discrepancies between measured and modelled stress are attributed to the inconsistent quality of measured stress, uncertainty in geological geometry. and input data for fractures.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.191-205
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• 2009

To characterize the geological features in the study area for high-level radioactive waste disposal research, KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) has been performing several geological investigations such as geophysical surveys and borehole drillings since 1997. Especially, the KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) constructed to understand the deep geological environments in 2006. Recently, the deep boreholes, which have 500 m depth inside the left research module of the KURT and 1,000 m depth outside the KURT, were drilled to confirm and validate the results from a geological model. The objective of this research was to investigate hydrogeological conditions using a 3-D geological model around the KURT. The geological analysis from the surface and borehole investigations determined four important geologicla elements including subsurface weathered zone, low-angled fractures zone, fracture zones and bedrock for the geological model. In addition, the geometries of these elements were also calculated for the three-dimensional model. The results from 3-D geological model in this study will be beneficial to understand hydrogeological environment in the study area as an important part of high-level radioactive waste disposal technology.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.279-291
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• 2010

To characterize geological features in study area for high-level radioactive waste disposal research, KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) has been performing the several geological investigations such as geophysical surveys and borehole drilling since 1997. Especially, the KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) constructed to understand the deep geological environments in 2006. Recently, the deep borehole of 500 m depths was drilled to confirm and validate the geological model at the left research module of the KURT. The objective of this research was to identify the geological structures around KURT using the data obtained from the deep borehole investigation. To achieve the purpose, several geological investigations such as geophysical and borehole fracture surveys were carried out simultaneously. As a result, 7 fracture zones were identified in deep borehole located in the KURT. As one of important parts of site characterization on KURT area, the results will be used to revise the geological model of the study area.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.102-113
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• 1999

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional DEM programs, UDEC and 3DEC, were used to investigate the mechanical stability of the conceptual design of deposition drift and deposition holes constructed in a crystalline rock mass. From the simulations, the influence of discontinuities, the number of deposition holes, and deposition hole interval on the stability of deposition drift and deposition holes could be determined. From the two-dimensional and three-dimensional analysis. it was concluded that three-dimensional analysis should be carried 7ut fur deriving reliable conclusions. Even though the deposition hole interval changed from 8 m to 3 m, which did not damage the mechanical stability of the deposition drift.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2012

In this study, diagonal ventilation circuits that are advantageous in air flow direction control were studied. Based on the results of the study, it could be seen that air volumes in diagonal ventilation circuits could also be calculated using numerical formulas or programs if the air volumes and air flow directions to be infused into diagonal branches are determined in advance as with other serial/parallel circuits. To apply the results, design plans for high level radioactive waste repositories applied with diagonal ventilation circuits and parallel ventilation circuits. To compared the each design plans and obtain expected operation results, ventilation network simulations were conducted through the Ventsim program which is a ventilation networking program. Based on the results, in the case of diagonal repositories that was expected to cause great increases in resistance, fan pressure was 1570 pa, total flux was 84 $m^3/s$, fan efficiency was 76.4%, fan power consumption was 181.2 kW and annual fan operating costs were 178,710,838 and thus maximum around 8% differences were shown in pressure and flux values and a difference of around 1.5% was shown in terms of operating costs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.81-84
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• 2001

고준위 방사성 폐기물 영구처분 안전성을 평가하기 위하여 입력 자료로 처분장 주변 각 암 반에서의 지하수 유동 속도 및 유동 시간이 요구된다. 이러한 유동 속도와 시간은 대부분의 경우 단일 값이 요구되지만 고준위 방사성 처분의 경우 지하 매질의 불확실성을 고려하기 위하여 확률론적 분석이 요구된다. 지하수 유동 속도 및 시간이 확률밀도함수로 표시되기 위해서는 기존의 방법에서는 수리 해석의 입력 인자 값들을 변화시키면서 반복적인 계산을 수행하는 방법이 사용되었다. 그러나 이러한 방법론의 한계를 극복하기 위해 최근 섭동 이론을 이용한 adjoint 방법론이 사용되고 있는 바 이를 이용하여 가상 처분장에서의 지하수 유동 속도와 시간을 확률론적으로 해석하였다.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.215-229
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• 2019

This technical note describes the current status of Finnish radioactive waste disposal project which started to construct the repository for spent nuclear waste for the first time in the world. Finland started operating nuclear power plant in 1977 and is currently operating four nuclear power plants. After detailed site surveys started in 1993, Olkiluoto was finally selected by the parliament of Finland as the site for geological disposal in 2001 followed by a construction license in 2015. If the operating license is approved by the government in the 2020s, it would be the world's first case of geological disposal. In ONKALO, a site-specific underground research facility at the site of Olkiluoto, various studies were conducted to verify the safety of the repository. Finland uses the KBS-3 disposal concept, and Korea considers a similar disposal concept because of similar rock formations. The entire process in Finland including the operation status of intermediate and low-level waste disposal, site investigation and selection stages, and the latest rock mechanics and hydrogeological studies in ONKALO are presented. Suggestions for the radioactive waste disposal in Korea is given based on the Finnish case.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.257-269
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• 2001

Numerical simulation is performed to understand the structural behavior of an underground radwaste repository, assumed to be located at the depth of 500 m, in a granitic rock mats, in which a fault intersects the roof of the repository cavern. Two dimensional universal distinct element code, UDEC is used in the analysis. The numerical model includes a granitic rock mass, a canister with PWR spent fuels surrounded by the compacted bentonite inside the deposition hole, and the mixed bentonite backfilled in the rest of the space within the repository cavern. The structural behavior of three different cases, each case with a fault of an angle of $33^{\circ},\;45^{\circ},\;and\;58^{\circ}$ passing through the cavern roof-wall intersection, has been compared. And then fro the case with the $45^{\circ}$ fault, the hydro-mechanical, thermo-mechanical, and thermo-hydro-mechanical interaction behavior have been studied. The effect of the time-dependent decaying heat, from the radioactive materials in PWR spent fuels, on the repository and its surroundings has been studied. The groundwater table is assumed to be located 10m below the ground surface, and a steady state flow algorithm is used.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.207-223
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• 2006

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.213-229
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• 2005

Nuclides in radioactive wastes are assumed to be transported in the geosphere by groundwater and probably discharged into the biosphere. Quantitative evaluation of doses to human beings due to nuclide transport in the geosphere and through the various pathways in the biosphere is the final step of safety assessment of the radioactive waste repository. To calculate the flux to dose conversion factors (DCFs) for nuclides appearing at GBIs with their decay chains, a template ACBIO which is an AMBER case file based on mathematical model for the mass transfer coefficients between the compartments has been developed considering material balance among the compartments in biosphere and then implementing to AMBER, a general and flexible software tool that allows to build dynamic compartment models. An illustrative calculation with ACBIO is shown.