• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2018

The KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) is a research tunnel which is located in KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) site. At KURT, researches on engineering and natural barrier system, which are the most important components for geological disposal system for high level radioactive waste, have been conducted. In this study, we synthesized the site characteristics obtained by various types of site investigation to introduce the geological model for KURT site, and induced the 3-D hydrogeological model for KURT site from the geological model. From the geological investigation at the surface and boreholes, four geological elements such as subsurface weathered zone, upper fractured rock, lower fractured rock and fracture zones were determined for the geological model. In addition, the geometries of these geological elements were also analyzed for the geological model to be three-dimensional. The results from 3-D geological model were used to construct the hydro-geological model for KURT site, which is one of the input data for groundwater flow modeling and safety assessment.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.80-90
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• 2017

To build tetrahedra mesh for FEM numerical analysis, Boundary Representation (B-Rep) model is required, which provides the efficient volume description of an object. In engineering, the parametric solid modeling method is used for building B-Rep model. However, a geological modeling generally adopts discrete modeling based on the triangulated surface, called a Sealed Geological Model, which defines geological domain by using geological interfaces such as horizons, faults, intrusives and modeling boundaries. Discrete B-Rep model is incompatible with mesh generation softwares in engineering because of discrepancies between discrete and parametric technique. In this research we have developed a converting program from Sealed Geological Model to Gmsh and COMSOL software. The developed program can convert complex geological model built by geomodeling software to user-friendly FEM software and it can be applied to geoscience simulation such as geothermal, mechanical rock simulation etc.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.199-208
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• 2012

To develop site characterization technologies for a radioactive waste disposal research in KAERI, the geological and hydrogeological investigations have been carried out since 1997. In 2006, the KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) was constructed to study a solute migration, a microbiology and an engineered barrier system as well as deeply to understand geological environments in in-situ condition. This study is performed as one of the site characterization works around KURT. Several investigations such as a lineament analysis, a borehole/tunnel survey, a geophyscial survey and logging in borehole, were used to construct the geological model. As a result, the geological model is constructed, which includes the lithological model and geo-structural model in this study. Moreover, from the results of the in-situ hydraulic tests, the hydrogeological properties of elements in geological model were evaluated.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.191-205
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• 2009

To characterize the geological features in the study area for high-level radioactive waste disposal research, KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) has been performing several geological investigations such as geophysical surveys and borehole drillings since 1997. Especially, the KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) constructed to understand the deep geological environments in 2006. Recently, the deep boreholes, which have 500 m depth inside the left research module of the KURT and 1,000 m depth outside the KURT, were drilled to confirm and validate the results from a geological model. The objective of this research was to investigate hydrogeological conditions using a 3-D geological model around the KURT. The geological analysis from the surface and borehole investigations determined four important geologicla elements including subsurface weathered zone, low-angled fractures zone, fracture zones and bedrock for the geological model. In addition, the geometries of these elements were also calculated for the three-dimensional model. The results from 3-D geological model in this study will be beneficial to understand hydrogeological environment in the study area as an important part of high-level radioactive waste disposal technology.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2011

To characterize the site specific properties of a study area for high-level radioactive waste disposal research in KAERI, the several geological investigations such as surface geological surveys and borehole drillings were carried out since 1997. Especially, KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) was constructed to understand the further study of geological environments in 2006. As a result, the first geological model of a study area was constructed by using the results of geological investigation. The objective of this research is to construct a hydrogeological model around KURT area on the basis of the geological model. Hydrogeological data which were obtained from in-situ hydraulic tests in the 9 boreholes were estimated to accomplish the objective. And, the hydrogeological properties of the 4 geological elements in the geological model, which were the subsurface weathering zone, the log angle fracture zone, the fracture zones and the bedrock were suggested. The hydrogeological model suggested in this study will be used as input parameters to carry out the groundwater flow modeling as a next step of the site characterization around KURT area.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.2828-2839
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• 2022

This study developed a safety assessment tool for geological disposal systems called APro, a systemically integrated modeling system based on modularizing and coupling the processes which need to be considered in a geological disposal system. Thermal, hydraulic, chemical, canister failure, radionuclide release and transport processes were considered in the current version of APro. Each of the unit processes in APro consists of a single Default Module, and several Alternative Modules which can increase the flexibility of the model. As an initial stage of developing the modularization concept and modeling interface, the Default Modules of each unit process were described, with one Alternative Module of chemical process. The computation part of APro is mainly a MATLAB workspace controlling COMSOL and PHREEQC, which are coupled by an operator splitting scheme. The APro model domain is a stylized geological disposal system employing the Swedish disposal concept (KBS-3 type), but the repository layout can be freely adjusted. In order to show the applicability of APro to the total system performance assessment of geological disposal system, some sample simulations were conducted. From the results, it was confirmed that coupling of the thermal and hydraulic processes and coupling of the canister failure and the radionuclide release processes were well reflected in APro. In addition, the technical connectivity between COMSOL and PHREEQC was also confirmed.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.113-124
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• 2018

Under repeated loading, the residual stresses within the subgrade and subsoil can accelerate the deformation of the road structures. In this paper, a series of laboratory cyclic loading model tests and small-scale model tests were conducted to investigate the dynamic stress response within soils under different loading conditions. The experimental results showed that a dynamic stress accumulation effect occurred if the soil showed cumulative deformation: (1) the residual stress increased and accumulated with an increasing number of loading cycles, and (2) the residual stress was superimposed on the stress response of the subsequent loading cycles, inducing a greater peak stress response. There are two conditions that must be met for the dynamic stress accumulation effect to occur. A threshold state exists only if the external load exceeds the cyclic threshold stress. Then, the stress accumulation effect occurs. A higher loading frequency results in a higher rate of increase for the residual stress. In addition to the superposition of the increasing residual stress, soil densification might contribute to the increasing peak stress during cyclic loading. An increase in soil stiffness and a decrease in dissipative energy induce a greater stress transmission within the material.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-29
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• 2005

By analyzing and integrating established geological field study instances, this study offered a new geological field excursion teaching model with several steps: unifying question raising. excursion generalization. intensive field direction, searching, primary conclusion, re-searching, group discussion. adjustment, and excursion summarizing. Then by Qualitatively assaying the responses which students showed after applying this teaching model, a concrete teaching plan was sought for earth science teachers who were planning to begin geological field excursion classes. Students evaluated very highly on the unifying question and excursion generalization because these items provided a sense of direction and an overall theme for geological excursion in advance. Also. since the students had little to none geological knowledge and field excursion experience, the intensive field direction gave them a lot of help with their field excursion activities. Students thought that coming up with a primary conclusion based on the summary of what they had observed in their activities was original. and highly valued the process of sharing different opinions in group discussions and drawing out a final conclusion. Teachers should help students develop a friendly atmosphere, by organizing group activities and continuously feedlng them with uniting questions and excursion generalization within the groups. Also they should prepare enough contents for intensive field direction and ways to get their points across. In the process, they should arrange beforehand detailed instructions for every outcome, with the intention of solving the question. Furthermore. teachers should follow carefully how conclusions are drawn. instruct students not to reach conclusions based on mere assumptions, and be aware of misconceptions students have toward geological phenomenon in advance, so that the discussion can be lead in the right direction.

• Proceedings of the Petrological Society of Korea Conference
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• 1999.06a
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• pp.43-43
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• 1999

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2022

Complex geological conditions have a great influence on the mining of coalbed methane (CBM), which affects the extraction efficiency of CBM. This investigation analyzed the complicated geological conditions in the Liujia CBM block of Fuxin. A geological model of heterogeneities CBM reservoirs was established to study the influence of strike direction of igneous rocks and fault structures on horizontal well layout. Subsequently, the dual-porosity and dual-permeability mathematical model was established, which considers the dynamic changes of porosity and permeability caused by gas adsorption, desorption, pressure change. The results show that the production curve is in good agreement with the actual by considering gas seepage in matrix pores in the model. Complicated geological structures affect the pressure expansion of horizontal wells, especially, the closer to the fault structure, the more significant the effect, the slower the pressure drop, and the smaller the desorption area. When the wellbore extends to the fault, the pressure expansion is blocked by the fault and the productivity is reduced. In the study area, the optimal distance to the fault is 70 m. When the horizontal wellbore is perpendicular to the direction of coal seam igneous rock, the productivity is higher than that of parallel igneous rock, and the horizontal well bore should be perpendicular to the cleat direction. However, the well length is limited due to the dense distribution of igneous rocks in the Liujia CBM block. Therefore, the horizontal well pumping in the study area should be arranged along the direction of igneous rock and parallel plane cleats. It is found that the larger the area surrounded by igneous rock, the more favorable the productivity. In summary, the reasonable layout of horizontal wells should make full use of the advantages of igneous rock, faults and other complex geological conditions to achieve the goal of high and stable production.