• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.347-354
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• 2009

Physical properties of rocks are strongly dependant on details of pore micro-structures, which can be used for quantifying relations between physical properties of rocks through pore-scale simulation techniques. Recently, high-resolution scan techniques, such as X-ray microtomography and high performance computers make it possible to calculate permeability from pore micro-structures of rocks. We try to extend this simulation methodology to velocity and electrical conductivity. However, the smoothing effect during tomographic inversion creates artifacts in pore micro-structures and causes inaccurate property estimation. To mitigate this artifact, we tried to use sharpening filter and neural network classification techniques. Both methods gave noticeable improvement in pore structure imaging and accurate estimation of permeability and electrical conductivity, which implies that our method effectively removes the smoothing effect in pore structures. However, the calculated velocities showed only incremental improvement. By comparison between thin section images and tomogram, we found that our resolution is not high enough, and it is mainly responsible for the inaccuracy in velocity despite the successful removal of the smoothing effect. In conclusion, our methods can be very useful for pore-scale modeling, since it can create accurate pore structure without the smoothing effect. For accurate velocity estimation, the resolution of pore structure should be at least three times higher than that for permeability simulation.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.30 no.11 s.254
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• pp.1051-1056
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• 2006

The mean and RMS velocity field of the respiratory gas flow in the human airway was studied experimentally by particle image velocimetry (PIV). Some researchers investigated the airflow for the mouth breathing case both experimentally and numerically. But it is very rare to investigate the airflow of nose breathing in a whole airway due to its geometric complexity. We established the procedure to create a transparent rectangular box containing a model of the human airway for PIV measurement by combination of the RP and the curing of clear silicone. We extend this to make a whole airway including nasal cavities, larynx, trachea, and 2 generations of bronchi. The CBC algorithm with window offset (64 $\times$ 64 to 32 $\times$ 32) is used for vector searching in PIV analysis. The phase averaged mean and RMS velocity distributions in Sagittal and coronal planes are obtained for 7 phases in a respiratory period. Some physiologic conjectures are obtained. The main stream went through the backside of larynx and trachea in inspiration and the frontal side in expiration. There exist vortical motions in inspiration, but no prominent one in expiration.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.85-98
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• 2009

The tau-p inversion algorithm is widely employed to generate starting models with most computer programs, which implement refraction tomography. This algorithm emphasises the vertical resolution of many layers, and as a result, it frequently fails to detect even large lateral variations in seismic velocities, such as the decreases which are indicative of shear zones. This study demonstrates the failure of the tau-p inversion algorithm to detect or define a major shear zone which is 50m or 10 stations wide. Furthermore, the majority of refraction tomography programs parameterise the seismic velocities within each layer with vertical velocity gradients. By contrast, the Generalized Reciprocal Method (GRM) inversion algorithms emphasise the lateral resolution of individual layers. This study demonstrates the successful detection and definition of the 50m wide shear zone with the GRM inversion algorithms. The existence of the shear zone is confirmed by a 2D analysis of the head wave amplitudes and by numerous closely spaced orthogonal seismic profiles carried out as part of a later 3D refraction investigation. Furthermore, an analysis of the shot record amplitudes indicates that a reversal in the seismic velocities, rather than vertical velocity gradients, occurs in the weathered layers. The major conclusion reached in this study is that while all seismic refraction operations should aim to provide as accurate depth estimates as is practical, those which emphasise the lateral resolution of individual layers generate more useful results for geotechnical and environmental applications. The advantages of the improved lateral resolution are obtained with 2D traverses in which the structural features can be recognised from the magnitudes of the variations in the seismic velocities. Furthermore, the spatial patterns obtained with 3D investigations facilitate the recognition of structural features such as faults which do not display any intrinsic variation or 'signature' in seismic velocities.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.5-12
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• 2005

Recently, geophysical prospecting methods have played very important roles in civil and environmental engineering problems. Technical advances in geophysical instruments and computer system made it possible to get underground images with very high resolution far purposes to resolve those problems. It was possible partly due to ever increasing demand for development of technologies needed to precisely detect polluted areas and prevent ground-related accidents. Based on the same demand, integrity tests of cast-in place piles draw more attention and development of accurate test procedures is required. Ultrasonic methods is one of most advanced non-destructive procedures. In the paper, a geotomography method is employed for the cast-in place pile integrity test using ultrasonic waves. The image of pile interior is scanned and scrutinized far better and more accurate decision in the cast-in place pile integrity. In this study, we firstly examined the accuracy fur tomography program with idealized synthetic models built in water tank: their position and size were changed in the tank and each case was studied. In the next stage, real concrete pile models were fabricated and images of anomaly areas inside the pile were scanned to successfully locate those areas.