• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.49-60
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• 2022

Underground urbanization appears to be a promising solution in response to the shortage of construction sites in the above-ground space. In this context, an accurate evaluation of a construction site ensures the long-term performance of geosystems. This study characterizes potential sites for complex plants built in underground space using geophysical methods (i.e., seismic refraction exploration and electrical resistivity survey) and in situ tests (i.e., standard penetration tests (SPTs) and downhole tests). SPTs are conducted in nine boreholes BH-1-BH-9 to estimate the groundwater level and vertical distribution of geological structures. The seismic refraction method enables us to obtain the elastic wave velocity and thickness of each soil layer for each cross-sectional area. An electrical resistivity survey conducted using the dipole array method provides the electrical resistivity profiles of the cross-sectional area. Data obtained using geophysical techniques are used to assess the classification of the soil layer and bedrock, particularly the fracture zone. This study suggests that geotechnical information using in situ tests and geophysical methods are useful references to design an underground complex plant construction.