• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.230-242
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• 2017

Seismic velocities measured from in-situ tests (n=177) and through rock core samples (n=1,035) are reviewed in light of construction standards, widely used standards as a first-hand approximation of rock classification solely based on seismic velocities. In-situ down hole tests and refraction survey for soft rocks showed seismic velocities of 1,400~2,900 m/s which is faster than those specified in construction standards. For moderate~ hard rocks, in-situ down hole tests and refraction survey showed 2,300~3,800 m/s which roughly corresponds with the range specified in the construction standards. A similar trend is also observed for seismic velocities measured from rock core samples. The observed differences between construction standards and seismic velocities can be explained in two ways. If construction standards are correct the observed differences may be explained with seismic velocities affected by underlying fast velocities and also possibly with selection of intact cores for velocity measurement. Alternatively, construction standards may have intrinsic problems, namely artificial discrete boundaries between soft rocks and moderate rocks, application of foreign standards without consideration of geologic setting and lack of independent verification steps. Therefore, we suggest a carefully designed verification studies from a test site. We also suggest that care must be exercised when applying construction standards for the interpretation and accessment of rock mass properties.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2017

This is a comparative study on the characteristics of excavated soils, which is proceeded using soil strength parameter by literature, geotechnical investigation, standard penetration test by drilling, and downhole test by borehole at six sites in urban areas. The results of these site surveys are used as basic data for the evaluation and development of prediction of ground subsidence risk. Geotechnical properties are estimated with the result of standard penetration test-N value and literature. The dynamic geotechnical characteristics are also estimated with top-down seismic exploration at borehole.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2020

Electrical resistivity and downhole seismic surveys were conducted together with bore investigations and well-logging to examine subsurface structures in small-scale landslides at Sinjindo-ri, Geunheung-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea in 2014. On the basis of the low N-values at depths of 5~7 m in borehole BH-2, downhole seismic and electrical dipole-dipole resistivity surveys were performed to delineate geological weak zones. The low-resistivity zones (<150 Ω·m) measure ~8 m in thickness and show a close depth correspondence to weathered soils consisting mainly of silty clays as identified from the bore investigations and well-logging data. Compared with weak zones in borehole BH-1, weak zones in BH-2 are characterized by lower densities (1.6~1.8 g/㎤) and resistivities (<150 Ω·m) and greater variation in Poisson's ratio. These observations can be explained by the presence of wet silty clays rich in weathered soil material that have resulted from heavy rainfall and rises in groundwater level. Downslope movements are probably caused by the sliding of wet clay that acts to reduce the strength of the weathered soil.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.357-363
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• 2010

In this study, we investigated the geologic structure of the basement and overlying sediments of the construction site of the dinosaur egg fossil museum in Hwasung, Gyeonggi Province through refraction seismology, drilling, and downward seismic velocity measurements in the drill holes. The construction site ($350{\times}750\;m^2$) is located in the reclaimed area south of Sihwa Lake, Gojeong-ri. About 6,950 m of seismic refraction data consisting of 11 lines were acquired using a sledge hammer source. Drilling to the basement was performed at five sites. Sediment samples from drilling were analysed for grain-size distribution and age dating. At two drill holes, seismic velocity was measured with depth using a hammer as a seismic source. The geological structure of the study area consists of, from top to bottom, a tidal flat layer (5 ~ 12 m thick), a weathered soil layer (2 ~ 8 m thick), and the basement. The basement is interpreted as Cretaceous sedimentary rocks that tend to be shallow eastward. The volume of the tidal flat sediments and weathered soil in the study area is estimated as $1.4{\times}10^6\;m^3$, weighing $3.5{\times}10^6$ tons. The rate of sea level rise since 8,000 yrs BP is estimated to be 0.1 ~ 0.15 cm/yr.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.321-328
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• 2002

Difficulties encountered in downhole S-wave (shear wave) surveys include the precise determination of shear wave travel times and determination of geophone orientation relative to the direction of polarization caused by the seismic source. In this study an S-wave enhancing and a principal component analysis method were adopted as a tool for determination of S-wave arrivals and the direction of polarization from downhole S-wave survey data. An S-wave enhancing method can almost double the amplitudes of S-waves, and the angle between direction of polarization and a geophone axis can be obtained by a principal component analysis. Once the angle is obtained data recorded by two horizontal geophones are transformed to principal axes, yielding so called scores. The scores gathered along depth are all in-phase, consequently, the accuracy of S-wave arrival picking could be remarkably improved. Applying this processing method to the field data reveals that the test site consists of a layered ground earth structure.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.371-379
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• 2008

In this study, seismic elastic wave and dynamic elastic modulus properties are investigated by down-hole seismic tests that were applied to the 11 gneiss area. The research results show that the realtionship between the two properties are $V_s=0.5589{\times}V_p$ in gneiss. The relationship between the two properties are separated into two groups. Group 1 is influenced mainly by the specific gravity of rock, but group 2 is influenced mainly by the joint aperture. As weathering progresses, group 1 clearly shows a decreasing tendency. In fresh and slightly weathered rock-mass, correlations between $V_p$ and dynamic elastic modulus is expressed in linear line but in moderately-highly weathered rock-mass, correlations between $V_p$ and dynamic elastic modulus is expressed curve as a quadratic function. Correlations between $V_s$ and dynamic elastic modulus are analyzed similar with a $V_p$ case.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.207-224
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• 2006

It has been widely known that the seismic piezo-cone penetration test (SCPTu) is one of the most useful techniques for investigating the geotechnical characteristics such as static and dynamic soil properties. As practical applications in Korea, SCPTu was carried out at two sites in Busan and four sites in Incheon, which are mainly composed of alluvial or marine soil deposits. From the SCPTu waveform data obtained from the testing sites, the first arrival times of shear waves and the corresponding time differences with depth were determined using the cross-over method, and the shear wave velocity $(V_S)$ profiles with depth were derived based on the refracted ray path method based on Snell's law. Comparing the determined $V_S$ profile with the cone tip resistance $(q_t)$ profile, both trends of profiles with depth were similar. For the application of the conventional CPTu to earthquake engineering practices, the correlations between $V_S$ and CPTu data were deduced based on the SCPTu results. For the empirical evaluation of $V_S$ for all soils together with clays and sands which are classified unambiguously in this study by the soil behavior type classification index $(I_C)$, the authors suggested the $V_S-CPTu$ data correlations expressed as a function of four parameters, $q_t,\;f_s,\;\sigma'_{v0}$ and $B_q$, determined by multiple statistical regression modeling. Despite the incompatible strain levels of the downhole seismic test during SCPTu and the conventional CPTu, it is shown that the $V_S-CPTu$ data correlations for all soils, clays and sands suggested in this study is applicable to the preliminary estimation of $V_S$ for the soil deposits at a part in Korea and is more reliable than the previous correlations proposed by other researchers.