• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.121-133
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• 2014

If the spent fuels or the high-level radioactive wastes can be disposed of in the depth of 3~5 km and more stable rock formation, it has several advantages. For example, (1)significant fluid flow through basement rock is prevented, in part, by low permeability, poorly connected transport pathways, and (2)overburden self-sealing. (3)Deep fluids also resist vertical movement because they are density stratified and reducing conditions will sharply limit solubility of most dose-critical radionuclides at the depth. Finally, (4) high ionic strengths of deep fluids will prevent colloidal transport. Therefore, as an alternative disposal concept to the deep geological disposal concept(DGD), very deep borehole disposal(DBD) technology is under consideration in number of countries in terms of its outstanding safety and cost effectiveness. In this paper, for the preliminary applicability analyses of the DBD system for the spent fuels or high level wastes, the DBD concepts which have been developed by some countries according to the rapid advance in the development of drilling technology were reviewed. To do this, the general concept of DBD system was checked and the study cases of foreign countries were described and analyzed. These results will be used as an input for the analyses of applicability for DBD in Korea.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.491-505
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• 2018

As an alternative to deep geological disposal technology, which is considered as a reference concept, the domestic applicability of deep borehole disposal technology for high level radioactive waste, including spent fuel, has been preliminarily evaluated. Usually, the environment of deep borehole disposal, at a depth of 3 to 5 km, has more stable geological and geo-hydrological conditions. For this purpose, the characteristics of rock distribution in the domestic area were analyzed and drilling and investigation technologies for deep boreholes with large diameter were evaluated. Based on the results of these analyses, design criteria and requirements for the deep borehole disposal system were reviewed, and preliminary reference concept for a deep borehole disposal system, including disposal container and sealing system meeting the criteria and requirements, was developed. Subsequently, various performance assessments, including thermal stability analysis of the system and simulation of the disposal process, were performed in a 3D graphic disposal environment. With these analysis results, the preliminary evaluation of the domestic applicability of the deep borehole disposal system was performed from various points of view. In summary, due to disposal depth and simplicity, the deep borehole disposal system should bring many safety and economic benefits. However, to reduce uncertainty and to obtain the assent of the regulatory authority, an in-situ demonstration of this technology should be carried out. The current results can be used as input to establish a national high-level radioactive waste management policy. In addition, they may be provided as basic information necessary for stakeholders interested in deep borehole disposal technology.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.599-609
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• 2023

In the seismic retrofitting of harbor breakwaters in Korea, the recovery rate is often uncertain due to site conditions and site conditions, and problems continue to arise. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the recovery rate and compressive strength of the improved material through drilling survey by grouting confirmation method after applying low-fluidity mortar injection method, and furthermore, we checked the elastic modulus by downhole test and tomography to confirm the reinforcement effect of soft ground after ground improvement. The experimental results showed that the average shear wave velocity of the ground increased from 229 m/s to 288 m/s in BH-1 and BH-3 boreholes to a depth of 28.0 m, and the average shear wave velocity of the ground to a depth of 30.0 m tended to increase from 224 m/s to 282 m/s in the downhole test. This is believed to be a result of the increased stiffness of the ground after reinforcement. The results of the tomographic survey showed that the Vs of the soft ground of the sample at Site 1 increased from 113 m/s to 214 m/s, and the Vs of the sample at Site 2 increased from 120 m/s to 224 m/s. This shows that the stiffness of the ground after seismic reinforcement is reinforced with hard soil, as the Vs value satisfies 180 m/s to 360 m/s in the classification of rock quality according to shear wave velocity.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.171-186
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• 2013

A drilling project was undertaken to characterize the geochemical relationship and the occurrence of radioactive materials at a test site among public-use groundwaters previously known to have high occurrence of uranium and radon-222 in the Daejeon area. A borehole (121 m deep) was drilled and core rocks mainly consist of two-mica granite, and associated with pegmatite and dykes of intermediate composition. The groundwater samples collected at six different depths in the borehole by a double-packed system showed the pH values ranging from neutral to alkaline (7.10-9.3), and electrical conductivity ranging from 263 to 443 ${\mu}S/cm$. The chemical composition of the borehole groundwaters was of the $Ca-HCO_3(SO_4+Cl)$ type. The uranium and Rn-222 contents in the groundwater were 109-1,020 ppb and 9,190-32,800 pCi/L, respectively. These levels exceed the regulation guidelines of US EPA. The zone of the highest groundwater uranium content occurred at depths of 45 to 55m. The groundwater chemistry in this zone (alkaline, oxidated, and high in bicarbonate) is favorable for the dissolution of uranium into groundwater. The dominant uranium complex in groundwater is likely to be $(UO_2CO_3)^0$ or $(UO_2HCO_3)^+$. Radon-222 content in groundwater shows an increasing trend with depth. The uranium and thorium contents in the core were 0.372-47.42 ppm and 0.388-11.22 ppm, respectively. These levels are higher values than those previously been reported in Korea. Microscopic observations and electron microprobe analysis(EPMA) revealed that the minerals containing U and Th are monazite, apatite, epidote, and feldspar. U and Th in these minerals are likely to substitute for major elements in crystal lattice.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.469-477
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• 2016

To evaluate the $CO_2$ storage capacity for the reservoir rock, the laboratory scale technique to measure the amount of $scCO_2$, replacing pore water of the reservior rock after the $CO_2$ injection was developed in this study. Laboratory experiments were performed to measure the $scCO_2$ displacement efficiency of the conglomerate and the sandstone in Janggi basin, which are classified as available $CO_2$ storage rocks in Korea. The high pressurized stainless steel cell containing two different walls was designed and undisturbed rock cores acquired from the deep drilling site around Janggi basin were used for the experiments. From the lab experiments, the average $scCO_2$ displacement efficiency of the conglomerate and the sandstone in Janggi basin was measured at 31.2% and 14.4%, respectively, which can be used to evaluate the feasibility of the Janggi basin as a $scCO_2$ storage site in Korea. Assuming that the effective radius of the $CO_2$ storage formations is 250 m and the average thickness of the conglomerate and the sandstone formation under 800 m in depth is 50 m each (from data of the drilling profile and the geophysical survey), the $scCO_2$ storage capacity of the reservoir rocks around the probable $scCO_2$ injection site in Janggi basin was calculated at 264,592 metric ton, demonstrating that the conglomerate and the sandstone formations in Janggi basin have a great potential for use as a pilot scale test site for the $CO_2$ storage in Korea.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.499-508
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• 2019

Based on the preliminary surveys for the occurrences of the Muwellut chrome-nickel mineralized zone ($800km^2$) in northwestern Myanmar, Bophivum area was selected as the detailed exploration area after considering data source, geological potential, metallogenic province, necessity of resource development on target mineral, exploration activity, grade, ore deposit type, nearby operating mine, infrastructure and exploration prediction effect. From 2013 to 2016, KIGAM and DGSE carried out geological and geochemical survey with 1:1,000 scale, magnetic survey(areal extent, $1.672km^2$), trench survey(19 trench, total length 392 m), pitting survey(18 pit, total depth 42.6m), exploration drilling(6holes 600m, 2015; 13holes 617.4m). We analyzed Cr and Ni contents of 77 drill cores with specific gravity in Yangon DGSE analytical center. Considering surface geological survey, geochemical exploration, magnetic survey, trench survey and drilling data, we divided Bophivum area into 8 blocks. Resource estimation are divided into measured and indicated resources. Measured resource is about 9,790t and indicated resource is about 12,080t with the average grade of Cr 11.8% and Ni 0.34%. In case of Bophivum area, if we develop by tying up Webula chrome mineralized zone in the south, it will be possible to upgrade the medium-scale mine. Geologically, the ophiolite belt are distributed in the western and eastern part in Myanmar. So, the exploration technology obtained from exploation in Bophivum area will be helpful to discover the hidden chromitite ore body in Myanmar ophiolite belt in the future.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.6C
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• pp.395-406
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• 2006

Drilled shafts are a common foundation solution for large concentrated loads. Such piles are generally constructed by drilling through softer soils into rock and the section of the shaft which is drilled through rock contributes most of the load bearing capacity. Drilled shafts derive their bearing capacity from both shaft and base resistance components. The length and diameter of the rock socket must be sufficient to carry the loads imposed on the pile safely without excessive settlements. The base resistance component can contribute significantly to the ultimate capacity of the pile. However, the shaft resistance is typically mobilized at considerably smaller pile movements than that of the base. In addition, the base response can be adversely affected by any debris that is left in the bottom of the socket. The reliability of base response therefore depends on the use of a construction and inspection technique which leaves the socket free of debris. This may be difficult and costly to achieve, particularly in deep sockets, which are often drilled under water or drilling slurry. As a consequence of these factors, shaft resistance generally dominates pile performance at working loads. The efforts to improve the prediction of drilled shaft performance are therefore primarily concerned with the complex mechanisms of shaft resistance development. The shaft resistance only is concerned in this study. The nature of the interface between the concrete pile shaft and the surrounding rock is critically important to the performance of the pile, and is heavily influenced by the construction practices. In this study, the influences of asperity characteristics such as the heights and angles, the strength characteristics and elastic constants of surrounding rock masses and the depth and length of rock socket, et. al. on the shaft resistance of drilled shafts are investigated from elasto-plastic analyses( FLAC). Through the parametric studies, among the parameters, the vertical stress on the top layer of socket, the height of asperity and cohesion and poison's ratio of rock masses are major influence factors on the unit peak shaft resistance.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.81-99
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• 2001

In order to clarify an effect of the cutoff grouting, a series of field experiments were performed during construction of the waterway tunnel from the River Gilancheon(Andong) to the Youngcheon dam. The experiments were conducted in three different ways based on the grouting time in the construction sequence, i.e., the pre-grouting, after-grouting and consolidation grouting tests. And those were also planned to compare the efficiency of grouting in relation to the material types of grout, base rock types and other geologic factors such as discontinuities, depth and direction of grouting holes, and number of grouting stages. Among the materials of grout employed in the experiments, such as a common Portland cement, a micro-cement, a micro-cement with sodium silicate, and a urethane, the urethane was the most effective as the cutoff grouting. And for the same grout material, the pre-grouting was more effective to cutoff the water inflow comparing to the after-grouting and the consolidation grouting. For the rock types, the grouting efficiency in the sedimentary rocks as a base rock was less than the other rocks such as granite and volcanic rocks, which is believed due to the smaller separation of joints and the abundance of infilling materials in the joints developed in the sedimentary rocks. There was no direct relationship between the total RMR value of the rock mass and the grouting efficiency, however, the joint separation which is one of the RMR criteria is believed to have positive relation to the grouting efficiency. And the direction of the grouting holes might not so much affect on the grouting efficiency while increasing the number of grouting stage showed the better results.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.553-563
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• 2019

In order to survey archaeological sites, drilling and excavation are carried out at the final stage. However, at the preliminary stage, non-excavation geophysical prospection is used for assessing underground archaeological ruins. Among the geophysical prospecting techniques, Ground Penetration Radar (GPR) prospection has effectively been applied to historical sites due to its high resolution at shallow depths. In this study, the GPR prospection was conducted to find underground ruins near Suseong-Dang, the place of ancient rituals in Buan area, Korea. First, the GPR prospection was conducted at three sites (Site-1, 2, and 3), and subsequently, the GPR prospection was carried out at Site-3 in more detail. As a result of the prospection, the underground layered structure of the survey area consists of three layers, which are soil layer, weathered rock, and sound rock from the surface. And the GPR anomaly to the archaeological structure was clearly identified at around 100-cm depth showing est-west direction that is parallel to the long-axis array. This GPR anomaly of irregular geomorphological features and intermittent distribution may be related to the ritual remains found in Suseong Dang. The GPR prospection could be effectively used to detect archaeological sites or remains buried in the ground.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.483-494
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• 2019

This study aimed to determine the extent of artificial aquifer recharge and to evaluate appropriate recharge techniques based on field investigations and comparative analysis of each recharge method. Characteristics of the aquifer determine the target aquifer and the recharge method for artificial groundwater recharge. Electrical conductivity surveys, drilling, permeability tests, and grain-size analysis indicate that the hydraulic conductivity of weathered soil and weathered rock is higher than that of upper unconsolidated soil. Pumping tests indicate that the groundwater level was stable at a depth of 12 m until 9 hours of pumping, but after that it dropped again, indicating anisotropic aquifer characteristics. Three types of artificial recharge method were reviewed, including recharge wells, ditches, and ponds, and a combination of two methods is proposed: a recharge well system directly injecting into weathered soil and rock sections with good permeability, and an injection ditch that can increase the recharge effect by line-type injection in the upstream area. The extent of groundwater recharge by the selected methods will be evaluated through on-site tests and if their applicability is verified, they will contribute to securing water in areas of water shortage.