• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.451-463
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• 2022

Whenever a mineshaft accidentally collapses, speedy risk assessment is both required and crucial. But onsite safety diagnosis by humans is reportedly difficult considering the additional risk of collapse of the unstable mineshaft. Generally, drones equipped with high-speed lidar sensors can be used for such inspection. However, the drone technology is restrictively applicable at very shallow depth, failing in mineshafts with depths of hundreds of meters because of the limit of wireless communication and turbulence inside the mineshaft. In previous study, a three-dimensional (3D) scanning system with a single channel lidar was fabricated and operated using towed cable in a mineshaft to a depth of 200 m. The rotation and pendulum movement errors of the measuring unit were compensated for by applying the data of inertial measuring unit and comparing the similarity between the scan data of the adjacent depths (Kim et al., 2020). However, the errors grew with scan depth. In this paper, a multi-channel lidar sensor to obtain a continuous cross-sectional image of the mineshaft from a winch system pulled from bottom upward. In this new approach, within overlapped region viewed by the multi-channel lidar, rotation error was compensated for by comparing the similarity between the scan data at the same depth. The fabricated system was applied to scan 0-165 m depth of the mineshaft with 180 m depth. The reconstructed image was depicted in a 3D graph for interpretation.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.228-243
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• 2023

Bentonite is widely recognized and utilized as a buffer material in high-level radioactive waste repositories, mainly due to its favorable characteristics such as swelling capability and low permeability. Bentonite buffers play an important role in ensuring the safe disposal of radioactive waste by providing a low permeability barrier and effectively preventing the migration of radionuclides into the surrounding rock. However, the long-term performance of bentonite buffers still remains a subject of ongoing research, and one of the main concerns is the erosion of the buffer induced by swelling and groundwater flow. The erosion of the bentonite buffer can significantly impact repository safety by compromising the integrity of buffer and leading to the formation of colloids that may facilitate the transport of radionuclides through groundwater, consequently elevating the risk of radionuclide migration. Therefore, it is very important to numerically quantify the erosion of bentonite buffer to evaluate the long-term performance of bentonite buffer, which is crucial for the safety assessment of high-level radioactive waste disposal. In this technical note, Two-region model is introduced, a proposed model to simulate the erosion behavior of bentonite based on a dynamic bentonite diffusion model, and quantitative evaluation is conducted for the bentonite buffer erosion with this model.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.69-76
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• 2023

Cavity causes settlement and its remediation after an accident results in significant time and economic losses. This study aims to experimentally evaluate the prospect of using infrared camera to detect and measure underground subsidence. Emissivity is necessary to detect the energy emitted from an object and accurately assess temperature using an infrared camera. The emissivity in laboratory tests is fixed to evaluate a reasonable distance between the infrared camera and the object, and temperature values are assessed at various distances. In field experiments, the cavity of the field experiment is simulated using a PVC pipe with a diameter of 5 cm, artificially buried at depths of 5 and 25 cm from the surface. The infrared camera measurements are taken from 4 PM to 3 PM of the next day (a total of 23 h). The analysis included the time-series temperature distribution and the cooling rate index assessment, which represents the temperature change rate per unit of time. The results showed that various temperature trends are observed depending on the location of the subsidence. This study demonstrates that the infrared camera can be used to assess the condition of the subsurface.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.445-471
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• 2023

Long-term safety over millennia is the top priority consideration in the construction of disposal sites. However, ensuring the mechanical stability of deep geological repositories for spent fuel, a.k.a. radwaste, disposal during construction and operation is also crucial for safe operation of the repository. Imposing restrictions or limitations on tunnel support and lining materials such as shotcrete, concrete, grouting, which might compromise the sealing performance of backfill and buffer materials which are essential elements for the long-term safety of disposal sites, presents a highly challenging task for rock engineers and tunnelling experts. In this study, as part of an extensive exploration to aid in the proper selection of disposal sites, the anticipation of constructing a deep geological repository at a depth of 500 meters in an unknown state has been carried out. Through a review of 2D and 3D numerical analyses, the study aimed to explore the range of properties that ensure stability. Preliminary findings identified the potential range of rock properties that secure the stability of central and disposal tunnels, while the stability of the vertical tunnel network was confirmed through 3D analysis, outlining fundamental rock conditions necessary for the construction of disposal sites.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.2021-2031
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• 2013

Due to the rapid economic growth within the nation, the quality of life of individuals have improved dramatically. The scope of living activities of individuals have also extended, resulting in a rapidly increasing demand for automobiles. The number of vehicles registered in Korea is rapidly increasing and will reach 188.71 million as of December 2012. Compared to the registered residents of 50.94 million provided by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, the registered population reflects about 4 people per every automobile. Due to the high demands for vehicles, the demands for parking lots in collective housing and businesses are also increasing. In reality, the current state of expansion of parking lots are underground, due to the limited available space on ground level. Specifically, the slope of a parking lot cannot exceed 17% linear slope and 14% curved slope according to the 'parking lot laws', however studies show that the driver feels at risk for safety when stopped on the parking ramp while driving in the parking lot. This study seeks to examine the suitability of parking lot ramps, concerning the safety aspects of the driver. First, the ramp type was categorized as linear or curved, then test drives were performed based on variations of slopes, slant distances, directions and points. A survey was administered to the driver after the completion of the test drive, in order to element design for an ideal ramp. In the case of curved ramp, the results of the estimate suggests a counterclockwise, slope at a maximum of 12% incline. The maximum slope for a linear ramp was analyzed to be between 13~14%, suggesting that slope greater than 15% need to be eliminated. In conclusion, it is anticipated that the element design parking ramp reported in this study will help to serve as a reference for future parking lot related guidelines, and provide cost effective traffic safety mechanisms in future parking lot businesses to follow.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.70-83
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• 2004

The safety diagnosis of cultural assets is Primarily focused on its non-destructiveness. Research on the nondestructive diagnosis and conservation of masonry cultural heritage is the key which is considered by technologic kernel. Geophyscial Prospecting as nondestructive diagnostic technology plays an important role in the characterization of the foundation of stone pagodas. It is natural that understanding of shallow subsurface condition beneath them is essential for their structural safety diagnosis. As an example, the nondestructive geophysical methods were applied to two three-story stone pagodas, Seokgatap (height 10.8 m, width 4.4 m, weight 82.3 ton) and Dabotap (height 10.4 m, width 7.4 m, weight 123.2 ton) which were built in 791 at Bulkuksa temple. An earlier archaeological investigation shows that stone pagodas have experienced severe weathering process and are slightly leaning, which will threaten their stability At the base part of Dabotap, an offset of the stone alignment is also observed. Direct measurements of ultrasonic velocities was introduced for the mechanical properties of the stone The velocity ranges of ultrasonic waves for Dabotap and Seokgatap are 1217${\~}$4403 m/s and 584${\~}$5845 m/s, respectively, and the estimated averages of the uniaxial compressive strength are 463 kg/$cm^2$ and 409 kg/$cm^2$, respectively. Site characteristics, around the pagodas are determined by the measurement of multiple properties such as seismic velocity, resistivity, image of ground-penetrating radar, On the basis of the higher velocity structure, the site of Seokgatap appears to have solider stability than the Seokgatap site. Near the pagodas, higher(up to 2200 $\Omega$m) resistivity is present whereas their outskirts have as low as 200 $\Omega$m. By the combined results of each geophyscial methods, the subsurface boundaries of two stone pagodas are revealed. The Dabotap site is in the form of an octagon having 6-m-long side with the depth of ${\~}$4 m, whereas the Seokgatap site is the 8 ${\times}$ 10 m rectangle with the depth of 3 m. These subsurface structures appear to reflect the original foundations constructed against the stone load of ${\~}8 ton/m^2$. At the subsurface beneath the northeast of each pagoda, low seismic velocity as well as low resistivity is prominent. It is interpreted to represent the weak underground condition which Is the possible cause of the slightly leaning pagodas toward the NNW.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.430-440
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• 2000

A series of studies such as geological logging data analysis, detailed geological survey, rock mass evaluation, in-situ and laboratory tests, rock strength and mechanical properties of the rock were concerned. The stability of the slope were carried out inorder to design the pit slope and individual benches using the stereographic projection analysis and numerical methods in Roto Pit of Pasir coal field. The bedding plane was one of the major discontinuities in the Roto Pit and the dip of which is about 60$^{\circ}$ in the northern part and 83$^{\circ}$ in the southern part. The dip of bedding becomes steeper from north to south. The plane and toppling failures are presented in many slopes. In laboratory test the average uniaxial compressive strength of mudstone was 9MPa and that of weak sandstone was 10MPa. In-situ test showed that the rocks of Roto north mining area are mostly weak enough to be classified in grade from R2(weak) to R3(medium strong weak) and the coal is classified in grades from R1(Very weak) to R2(Weak). The detailed stability analysis were carried out on 4 areas of Roto north (east, west, south and north), and 2 areas of Roto south(east and west). In this paper, the minimum factor of safety was set to 1.2 which is a general criterion for open pit mines. Using the stereographic projection analysis and the limit equilibrium method, slope angles were calculated as 30∼36$^{\circ}$ for a factor of safety greater than 1.2. Then these results were re-evaluated by numerical analysis using FLAC. The final slope angles were determined by rational described above. A final slope of 34 degrees can guarantee the stability for the eastern part of the Roto north area, 33 degrees for the western part, 35 degrees for the northern part and 35 degrees for the southern part. For the Roto south area, 36 degrees was suggested for both sides of the pit. Once the pit slope is designed based on the stability analysis and the safety measures, the stability of slope should be checked periodically during the mining operations. Because the slope face will be exposed long time to the rain fall, a study such aspreventive measures against weathering and erosion is highly recommended to be implemented.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2015

To mitigate the greenhouse gas emission, many carbon capture and storage projects are underway all over the world. In Korea, many studies focus on the storage of $CO_2$ in the offshore sediment. Assurance of safety is one of the most important issues in the geological storage of $CO_2$. Especially, the assessment of possibility of leakage and amount of leaked $CO_2$ is very crucial to analyze the safety of marine geological storage of $CO_2$. In this study, the leakage of injected $CO_2$ through fault was numerically studied. TOUGH2-MP ECO2N was used to simulate the subsurface behavior of injected $CO_2$. The storage site was 150 m thick saline aquifer located 825 m under the continental shelf. It was assumed that $CO_2$ leak was happened through the fault located 1,000 m away from the injection well. The injected $CO_2$ could migrate through the aquifer by both pressure difference driven by injection and buoyancy force. The enough pressure differences made it possible the $CO_2$ to migrate to the bottom of the fault. The $CO_2$ could be leaked to seabed through the fault due to the buoyancy force. Prior to leakage of the injected $CO_2$, the formation water leaked to seabed. When $CO_2$ reached the seabed, leakage of formation water stopped but the same amount of sea water starts to flow into the underground as the amount of leaked $CO_2$. To analyze the effect of injection rate on the leakage behavior, the injection rate of $CO_2$ was varied as 0.5, 0.75, and $1MtCO_2/year$. The starting times of leakage at 1, 0.75 and $0.5MtCO_2/year$ injection rates are 11.3, 15.6 and 23.2 years after the injection, respectively. The leakage of $CO_2$ to the seabed continued for a period time after the end of $CO_2$ injection. The ratios of total leaked $CO_2$ to total injected $CO_2$ at 1, 0.75 and $0.5MtCO_2/year$ injection rates are 19.5%, 11.5% and 2.8%, respectively.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2014

In this study, we analyzed the growth characteristics of red lettuce under Light-emitting diode (LED) light environment as well as the change of vitamin C and anthocyanins of lettuce. We made five monochromatic light treatments (red 647 nm, 622 nm, blue 463 nm, 450 nm, White), six mixed red (R) and blue (B) light treatments (R : B = 9 : 1, 8 : 2, 7 : 3, 6 : 4, 5 : 5) and red + white, and three light treatments made according to photoperiod of LED with lighting sources ratio of red : blue (R : B = 8 : 2(18/06 h, 15/09 h, 12/12 h)). It was composed of totally 14 control beds. As a result, the red lettuce the most developed leaf height, leaf numbers and fresh weight under red single light, root length and leaf developed when grown under blue single light. Therefore, red light were related to above part of the lettuce, blue light were related to the growth of the underground part of lettuce. Case of the mixed light, leaf height, leaf numbers, fresh/dry weight of above and underground part were highest red + white light and root length and chlorophyll content were highest under red 7 : 3 blue light. Result of growing investigation by photoperiod, the red lettuce were considered to be most effective in 15/09 h (on/off). The content of anthocyanins; the single light source, mixed light and light irradiation period were highest under blue light (463 nm), red 7 : 3 blue and 18/06 h (on/off) light irradiation, respectively. The vitamin C showed the lowest content of $1.26mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ under the white light, but showed the greatest content of $3.02mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for the control group.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.8-20
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• 2003

Natural gas has been supplied through underground pipelines and valve stations as a new city gas in Seoul. In contrast to its handiness the natural gas has very substantial hazards due to fires and explosions occurring from careless treatments or malfunctions of the transporting system. The main objectives of this study are to identify major hazards and to perform risk assessments after assessing reliabilities of the composing units in dealing with typical pipeline networks. there-fore two method, fault tree analysis ;1nd event tree analysis, are used here. Random valve stations are selected and considered its situation in location. The value of small leakage, large rupture, and no supply of liquefied natural gas is estimated as that of top event. By this calculation the values of small leakage are 3.29 in I)C valve station, 1.41 in DS valve station, those of large rup-lure are $1.90Times10_{-2}$ in DC valve station, $2.32$\times$10^{-2}$ in DS valve station, and those of no supply of LNG to civil gas company are $2.33$\times$10 ^{-2}$ , $2.89$\times$10^{-2}$ in each valve station. And through minimal cut set we can find the parts that is important and should be more important in overall system. In DC valve station one line must be added between basic event 26,27 because the potential hazard of these parts is the highest value. If it is added the failure rate of no supply of LNG is reduced to one fourth. In DS valve station the failure rate of basic event 4 is 92eye of no supply of LNG. Therefore if the portion of this part is reduced (one line added) the total failure rate can be decreased to one tenth. This analytical study on the risk assessment is very useful to prepare emergency actions or procedures in case of gas accidents around underground pipeline networks and to establish a resolute gas safety management system for loss prevention in Seoul metropolitan area.