• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.464-477
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• 2022

DFN (discrete fracture network) models that take account of spatial variability and correlation between rock fractures have been demanded for analysis of fractured rock mass behavior for wide areas with high reliability, such as that of underground nuclear waste repositories. In this regard, this report describes the spatial distribution characteristics of fracture networks, and the DFN modeling methodologies that aim to represent such characteristics. DFN modeling methods have been proposed to represent the spatial variability of rock fractures by defining fracture domains (Darcel et al., 2013) and the spatial correlation among fractures by genetic modeling techniques that imitate fracture growth processes (Davy et al., 2013, Libby et al., 2019, Lavoine et al., 2020).These methods, however, require further research for their application to field surveys and for modeling in-situ rock fracture networks.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.442-453
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• 2013

A large-scale high-temperature thermal energy storage(TES) was numerically modeled and the heat loss through storage tank walls was analyzed using a commercial code, FLAC3D. The operations of rock cavern type and above-ground type thermal energy storages with identical operating condition were simulated for a period of five consecutive years, in which it was assumed that the dominant heat transfer mechanism would be conduction in massive rock for the former and convection in the atmosphere for the latter. The variation of storage temperature resulting from periodic charging and discharging of thermal energy was considered in each simulation, and the effect of insulation thickness on the characteristics of heat loss was also examined. A comparison of the simulation results of different storage models presented that the heat loss rate of above-ground type TES was maintained constant over the operation period, while that of rock cavern type TES decreased rapidly in the early operation stage and tended to converge towards a certain value. The decrease in heat loss rate of rock cavern type TES can be attributed to the reduction in heat flux through storage tank walls followed by increase in surrounding rock mass temperature. The amount of cumulative heat loss from rock cavern type TES over a period of five-year operation was 72.7% of that from above-ground type TES. The heat loss rate of rock cavern type obtained in long-period operation showed less sensitive variations to insulation thickness than that of above-ground type TES.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.23-35
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• 2006

Shear load transfer characteristics of rock-socketed drilled shafts were analyzed. The constant normal stiffness (CNS) direct shear tests were performed to identify the major influencing factors of shaft resistance, i.e., unconfined compressive strength, borehole roughness, normal stiffness, initial confining stress, and material properties. Based on the CNS tests, shear load transfer function of drilled shafts in rocks is proposed using borehole roughness and the geological strength index (GSI), which indicates discontinuity and surface condition of rock mass in Hoek-Brown criterion (1997). The proposed load-transfer function was verified by the load test results of seven rock-socketed drilled test shafts subjected to axial loads. Through comparisons of the results of load tests, it is found that the load-transfer function by the present study is in good agreement with the general trend observed by in situ measurements, and thus represents a significant improvement in the prediction of load transfer of drilled shafts.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 1997

In general, there are various approaches available in literature to model discontinuous rock masses and engineers are often confused which one to use for designing structures in rock masses. Modelling rock masses can be classified mainly into two approaches. One is discrete modelling of intact rock and discontinuities and the other is the equivalent continuum modelling. In this study five models are selected ;(1) Crack tensor model, (2) Equivalent volume defect model, (3) Damage model, (4) Micro - structure model (Parallel model and Series model), and (5) Homogenization model. Most of these models are mainly concerned with how to define additional strain due to discontinuities over the representative elementary volume (REV) and how to relate the stress field of discontinuities to that acting on the REV. The characteristics of these models are clarified by comparing with results of some laboratory tests.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 2020

The dynamic response of crossing tunnels under heavy-haul train loads is still not fully understood. In this study, based on the case of a high-speed tunnel underneath an existing heavy-haul railway tunnel, a model experiment was performed to research the dynamic response characteristics of crossing tunnels. It is found that the under-crossing changes the dynamic response of the existing tunnel and surrounding rock. The acceleration response of the existing tunnel enhances, and the dynamic stress of rock mass between crossing tunnels decreases after the excavation. Both tunneling and the excitation of heavy-haul train loads stretch the tunnel base, and the maximum tensile strain is 18.35 µε in this model test. Then, the measured results were validated by numerical simulation. Also, a parametric study was performed to discuss the influence of the relative position between crossing tunnels and the advanced support on the dynamic behavior of the existing tunnel, where an amplifying coefficient of tunnel vibration was introduced to describe the change in acceleration due to tunneling. These results reveal the dynamic amplifying phenomenon of the existing tunnel during the new tunnel construction, which can be referred in the dynamic design of crossing tunnels.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.153-168
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• 1994

The status of groundwater development in Chungnam was studied with geological characteristics according to the measured data of Korean Rural Development Corporation. The data of 212 survey wells were used for the relation between catchment area and water discharge, and the data of 344 development wells for the relationships between well depth and discharge, between casing depth and discharge, between rock type and discharge, and the relation with lineaments density. The relationship between the catchment area and discharge does not show any special trend, and it is understood that groundwater of hard rock mass is not so much influenced by the surface catchment area. The relationship between well depth and discharge shows two different trends; discharge increasing with depth for alluvial groundwater, but no certain trend between depth and discharge for groundwater of hard rock zone. Discharge increases linearly with the casing depth, and it is reliable because the casing was installed in the weathered zone against well destruction. Generally the rock type does not show any difference of discharge, but the crystalline rocks such as granite and gneiss yield a little more discharge than the more porous rocks such as sedimentary rock or schist. It suggests that the effect of fracture zone is a major governing factor. In Hongsong and Puyo, there are similar in rock type and casing depth, but the big difference in average discharge. The big discharge of Hongsong is concordant with the higher intersection density and longer length of lineament in Hongsong than those of Puyo. Therefore the groundwater development strategy should be focused on the micro topography analysis and geophysical survey for the understanding of the fracture zone rather than catchment area or rock type.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.227-241
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• 1999

Groundwater flow in a fractured rock mass is related to the geometric characteristics of the fracture system. The objective of this study aims to analyze the probabilistic density function of fracture properties md their relations to the hydraulic conductivity in volcanic rocks of the northern Yosu area. Fracture characteristics were investigated by core logging and acoustic televiewer logging in four boreholes and the hydraulic conductivity was obtained from the constant pressure injection and fall-off tests. The 303 fractures were grouped into three sets by their orientation and three fracture types by the degree of opening in aperture. As a result of the study, the hydraulic conductivity in the test section intersected by open and semi-open fractures, conductive fractures, and set 1 fractures was very high, while closed fractures did rarely affect the hydraulic conductivity. It was recognized that the hydraulic conductivity in a fractured rock mass was preferentially affected by the aperture size of conductive fractures and fracture intersection frequency and size, secondly.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.1 s.182
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• pp.87-101
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• 2007

A variety of informations obtained from satellite image, digital elevation relief map (DEM), borehole logging, televiewer, geophysical prospecting, etc were synthetically analyzed to investigate subsurface geological and structural characteristics and to evaluate geohazard pertinent to fault-damage in the Busan metropolitan city. It is revealed that the geology is composed of the Cretaceous andesitic$\sim$dacitic volcanics, gabbro, and granitoid and that at least three major faults including the Dongrae fault are developed in the study area. Based on characteristics of topography, fault-fractured zone, and isobath maps of the Quaternary sediments and weathered residuals of the basement, the Dongrae fault is decreased in its width and fracturing intensity of damaged zone from south toward north, and the fault is segmented around the area between the Seomyeon and Yangieong junctions. Meanwhile, we drew a geohazard sectional map using the five major parameters that significantly suggest damage intensity of basement by fault, i.e. distance from fault core, TCR, RQD, uniaxial rock strength, and seismic velocity of S wave. The map is evaluated as a suitable method to express the geological and structural characteristics and fault-damaged intensity of basement in the study area. It is, thus, concluded that the proposed method can contribute to complement and amplify the capability of the present evaluation system of rock mass.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.571-598
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• 2024

Nuclear power generation, which belongs to the eco-friendly energy category, has a comparative advantage over other power generation methods in terms of cost and efficiency, and its share of electricity energy has recently shifted to an increasing trend worldwide. In Korea, various empirical studies have been conducted centering on KURT (KEARI Underground Research Tunnel) to secure elemental technology necessary for safe and efficient disposal of high-level radioactive waste inevitably generated during the operation of nuclear power plants. Considering the domestic rock type and geological conditions, the multi-barrier system is evaluated as the most effective among various high-level radioactive waste disposal methods. The objectives of this study were, first, to evaluate the hydraulic characteristics of deep and low-permeable rock masses and second, to secure quantitative information on the hydraulic connectivity between boreholes for establishing a large-scale in-situ test system necessary for the proper design and stability evaluation of the multi-barrier system. In this regard, diverse borehole tests using DHTS (Deep borehole Hydraulic Testing System) were performed in the two research modules in KURT, and in particular, the injection type cross-hole hydraulic connectivity tests were successfully completed for the first time in Korea. In this paper, we briefly introduced MDST (Mini Downhole Shut-in Tool) developed to update the performance of DHTS and mainly discussed the key results obtained from the stepwise in-situ borehole tests.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2021

It is important to evaluate the fracture network in a rock volume because fractures control the ground conditions and fluid flow characteristics. Therefore, various attempts have been made to quantify fracture networks to better understand ground and flow conditions. The use of fracture density alone (a quantitative parameter based on geometric analysis) does not fully explain the evolution of fracture networks, or quantify the spatial relationship (e.g. connectivity) of fractures in a rock mass. Therefore, the need for fracture network characterization based on topological analysis has recently emerged. In Korea however, the topological analysis of fracture networks within a rock mass has rarely been studied. As such, the definition of the topological analysis of fracture networks and the graph theory related to the topological analysis are briefly summarized in this study. We also introduce an application method for these analyses to fracture characterization. If the topological method is used for the analysis of fracture networks, it can also be adopted to analyze fluid flow characteristics of groundwater, characterize petroleum reservoirs, and analyze the evolution of a fracture network. In addition, topological analysis can be useful for site selection of major facilities such as nuclear waste disposal sites because it can be used to evaluate the stability of the potential sites.