• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.243-269
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• 2021

Since the early 2010s, the social importance of research and practical projects targeting deep geological disposal of high-level nuclear waste, underground CO₂ storage and characterization of deep subsurface by borehole investigation has been increasing. In this regard, there is also a significant increase in the need for in situ test technology to obtain quantitative and reliable information on the hydraulic characteristics of deep rock mass. Through years of research and development, we have independently set up Deep borehole Hydraulic Test System (DHTS) based on the key apparatuses designed and made with our own technology. Using this system, high precision constant pressure injection tests were successfully completed at the two 1 km boreholes located in Mesozoic granite and sedimentary rock regions, Gyeongju. During the field tests, it was possible to measure very low flow rate below 0.01 l/min with micro flow rate injection/control module. In this paper, the major characteristics of DHTS are introduced and also some results obtained from the high precision field tests under the deep and low permeable rock mass environment are briefly discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.17-31
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• 2012

No analytical solution exists for evaluating in-situ hydraulic conductivity of vertical cutoff walls by analyzing slug test results with consideration of transient flow. There is an analytical solution proposed to interpret a slug test performed in a partially penetrated well within an aquifer. However, this analytical solution cannot be directly applied to the cutoff wall because the solution has been developed exclusively for an infinite aquifer instead of a narrow cutoff wall. To consider the cutoff wall boundary conditions (i.e, constant head boundary and no flux boundary condition), the analytical solution has been modified in this study to take into account the narrow boundaries by introducing the imaginary well theory. Type curves are constructed from the currently derived analytical solution and compared with those of a partially penetrated well within an aquifer. The constant head boundary condition provides faster hydraulic head recovery curve than the aquifer case. On the other hand, no flux boundary condition leads to slower hydraulic head recovery. The bigger the shape factor and deviation of the well and the smaller the width of the vertical cutoff wall are, the more effect of boundary condition was observed. The type curves obtained from the analytical solution for a cutoff wall are similar to those made by the numerical method in the literature.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.147-160
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• 2020

Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of near-surface unconsolidated layers depends on the physical properties and water content of the unconsolidated layers. So far, many studies have been conducted on the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of near-surface unconsolidated layers. However, researches on hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated fractured rocks have been relatively rare. In relation to the construction of a low/intermediate level radioactive waste surface-disposal facility, this study compared and analyzed van Genuchten parameters (α, n) in the laboratory and the hydraulic conductivity obtained in field tests for fractured hornfels at a radioactive-waste disposal site of Korea. The relationship between the field hydraulic conductivity and van Genuchten parameters using data from the ten depth intervals of three boreholes resulted in that the correlation coefficient (R) between the hydraulic conductivity and the van Genuchten parameter α was 0.7607, showing positive correlation whereas the R between the hydraulic conductivity and the van Genuchten shape-defining parameter n was -0.8720, showing negative correlation. Hence, this study confirmed the relationship between the field hydraulic conductivity and the van Genuchten unsaturated functions for the unsaturated fractured hornfels.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 1983

Comparison and evaluation of various wellknown methods to determine the saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil were attempted in order to choose a convenient and reliable method applicable, at least, to Bonryang sandy loam (coarse loamy over sandy, mixed, mesic family of Typic Udifluvents). Three experimental methods, inversed auger hole, infiltrometer, and core sample method, were used for this purpose. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The inversed auger hole method was highly correlated with the infiltrometer method while the core sample method was poorly correlated with other two methods. 2. The inversed auger hole method was proved to be convenient and reliable method to measure the hydraulic conductivity of upland coarse textured soils in situ. 3. The hydraulic conductivity determined by the infiltrometer method converged to a constant value after 80 to 100 minutes from starting of measurement. 4. The conductivity determined by the inversed auger hole method approached to a constant value at 5 or 6th run of measurement. 5. The hydraulic conductivity determined by the core sample method was greatly under estimated in comparison with the values obtained by other two methods.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.233-244
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• 2017

We conducted hydraulic fracturing experiments on cement samples to investigate the dependency of fracture propagation on the viscosity of injection fluid and the in situ stress state. Ten cubic samples (20 cm side length) were produced using cement that was cured in water for more than one month. Samples were placed in a tri-axial compression apparatus with three independent principal stresses. An injection hole was drilled and the sample was hydraulically fractured under a constant injection rate. We measured injection pressures and acoustic emissions (AE) during the experiments, and investigated the fracture patterns produced by hydraulic fracturing. Breakdown pressures increased exponentially with increasing viscosity of the injection fluid. Fracture patterns were dependent on differential stress (i.e., the difference between the major and minor principal stresses). At low differential stress, multiple fractures oriented sub-parallel to the major principal stress axis propagated from the injection hole, and in some samples the fracture orientation changed during propagation. However, at high differential stress, a single fracture propagated parallel to the major principal stress axis. AE results show similar patterns. At low differential stress, AE source locations were more widespread than at high differential stress, consistent with the fracture pattern results. Our study suggests that hydraulic fracturing during shale gas extraction should be performed parallel to the orientation of minimum differential stress.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1980

The infiltration rates of the upland soils on hill side slope were investigated in situ using rainulator of which rainfall intensity was 100mm/hr. The soil moisture profile after the water infiltration was compared with that calculated from Youngs' equation. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Time required for infiltration rate to reach constant during rainfall was 15 to 25 min. The infiltration rate measured after 30 min was considered to be final infiltration rate. 2. The final infiltration rates of clay soils were lower than 10mm/hr., loamy soils 10 to 20., coarse loamy soils 20 to 30, and sandy soils higher than 30mm/hr., respectively. 3. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of the surface soil of Samgag sandy loam was 0.47mm/min., Songjeong clay loam0.16 mm/min., and Jeonnam silty clay loam 0.14mn/min., respectively. 4. The soil moisture profile calculated from Young's equation was in close agreement with measured in situ.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2018

Purpose: The development of compact tractors that can be used in dry fields, greenhouses, and orchards for pest control, weeding, transportation, and harvesting is necessary. The development and performance evaluation of power transmission units are very important when it comes to tractor development. This study evaluates the performance of a driving power transmission unit of a 50 kW multi-purpose narrow tractor. Methods: The performance of the transmission and forward-reverse clutch, which are the main components of the driving power transmission unit of multi-purpose narrow tractors, was evaluated herein. The transmission performance was evaluated in terms of power transmission efficiency, noise, and axle load, while the forward-reverse clutch performance was evaluated in terms of durability. The transmission's power transmission efficiency accounts for the measurement of transmission losses, which occur in the transmission's gear, bearing, and oil seal. The motor's power was input in the transmission's input shaft. The rotational speed and torque were measured in the final output shaft. The noise was measured at each speed level after installing a microphone on the left, right, and upper sides. The axle load test was performed through a continuous equilibrium load test, in which a constant load was continuously applied. The forward-reverse clutch performance was calculated using the engine torque to axle torque ratio with the assembled engine and transmission. Results: The loss of power in the transmission efficiency test of the driving power unit was 6.0-9.7 kW based on all gear steps. This loss of horsepower was equal to 11-18% of the input power (52 kW). The transmission efficiency of the driving power unit was 81.5-89.0%. The noise of the driving power unit was 50-57 dB at 800 rpm, 70-77 dB at 1600 rpm, and 76-83 dB at 2400 rpm. The axle load test verified that the input torque and axle revolutions were constant. The results of the forward-reverse clutch performance test revealed that hydraulic pressure and torque changes were stably maintained when moving forward or backward, and its operation met the hydraulic design standards. Conclusions: When comprehensively examined, these research results were similar to the main driving power transmission systems from USA and Japan in terms of performance. Based on these results, tractor prototypes are expected to be created and supplied to farmhouses after going through sufficient in-situ adaptability tests.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.5-17
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• 2013

Slug tests can be adopted to estimate hydraulic conductivity of the slurry trench wall backfill for its abilities to reflect the in-situ performance of the construction. A comprehensive three-dimensional numerical model is developed to simulate the slug test in a slurry trench wall considering the presence of bentonite cake on the interface boundaries between the wall and the surrounding soil formation. Influential factors such as wall width (i.e., proximity of wall boundary), well deviation, vertical position of well intake section, compressibility of wall backfill, etc. are taken into account in the model. A series of simulation results are examined to evaluate the bentonite cake effect in analyzing practical slug test results in the slurry trench wall. The results show that the modified line-fitting method can be used without any correction factor for the slug test in the slurry trench wall with the presence of bentonite cake. A case study is reanalyzed with the assumption of existing bentonite cake. The results are compared with the previously reported results by the approaches assuming no bentonite cake (constant-head boundary) or upper-bound solution (no-flux boundary). The case study demonstrates the bentonite cake effect and the validity of the modified line-fitting method in the estimation of the hydraulic conductivity of the slurry wall backfill.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.348-372
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• 2023

In relation to the high-level radioactive waste disposal project in deep fractured rock aquifer environments, it is essential to evaluate hydrogeological characteristics for evaluating the suitability of the site and operational stability. Such subsurface hydrogeological data is obtained through in-situ tests using boreholes excavated at the target site. The accuracy and reliability of the investigation results are directly related to the selection of appropriate test methods, the performance of the investigation system, standardization of the investigation procedure. In this report, we introduce the detailed procedures for the representative test method, the constant pressure injection test (CPIT), which is used to determine the key hydrogeological parameters of the subsurface fractured rock aquifer, namely hydraulic conductivity and storativity. This report further refines the standard test method suggested by the KSRM in 2022 and includes practical field application case conducted in volcanic rock aquifers where this investigation procedure has been applied.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.271-278
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• 1999

Soil filters are commonly used to protect the soil structures from eroding and piping. When filters are clogged by fine particles which are progressively accumulated, these may lead to buildup of excessive pore pressures also leading to instability in subsurface infrastructure. A filter in the backfill of a retaining wall, a filter adjacent to the lining of a tunnel, or a filter in the bottom of an earth dam can be clogged by transported fine particles. This causes reduction in the permeability, which in turn may lead to intolerable decreases in their drainage capacity. In this thesis, the extent of this reduction is addressed using results from both experimental and theoretical investigations. In the experimental phase, the permeability reduction of a filter is monitored when an influent of constant concentration flows into the filter (uncoupled test), and when the water flow through the soil-filter system to simulate an in-situ condition (coupled test), respectively. The results of coupled and uncoupled test are compared with among others. In the theoretical phase of the investigation, a representative elemental volume of the soil filter was modeled as an ensemble of capillary tubes and the permeability reduction due to physical clogging was simulated using basic principles of flow in cylindrical tubes. In general, it was found that the permeability was reduced by at least one order of magnitude, and that the results from the uncoupled test and theoretical investigations were in good agreement. It is observed that the amount of deposited particles of the coupled test matches fairly well with that of the uncoupled test, which indicates that the prediction of permeability reduction is possible by preforming the uncoupled test instead of the coupled test, and/or by utilizing the theoretical model.