• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.435-450
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• 2022

In step-by-step site selection for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, parameters necessary for site selection will be acquired through deep drilling surveys from the basic survey stage. Unlike site investigations of rock mass structures such as tunnels and underground oil storage facilities, those related to the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste are not only conducted in relatively deep depths, but also require a high level of quality control. In this report, based on the 750 m depth drilling experience conducted to acquire the parameters necessary for deep geological disposal, the methodology for deep drilling and the geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology and rock mechanics obtained before, during, and after deep drilling are discussed. The procedures for multidisciplinary geoscientific investigations were briefly described. Regarding in-situ stress, one of the key evaluation parameter in the field of rock engineering, foreign and domestic cases related to the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste were presented, and variations with depth were presented, and matters to be considered or agonized in acquiring evaluation parameters were mentioned.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.28-53
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• 2024

In general, high-level radioactive waste (HLW) generated as a result of nuclear power generation should be disposed within the country. Determination of the disposal site and host rock for HLW deep geological repository is an important issue not only scientifically but also politically, economically, and socially. Considered host rock types worldwide for geological disposal include crystalline rocks, sedimentary rocks, volcanic rocks, and salt dome. However, South Korea consists of various rock types except salt dome. This paper not only analyzed the geological and rock mechanical characteristics on a nationwide scale with the preliminary results on various rock type studies for the disposal host rock, but also reviewed the characteristics and possibility of various rock types as a host rock through deep drilling surveys. Based on the nationwide screening for host rock types resulted from literature review, rock distributions, and detailed case studies, Jurassic granites and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks (Jinju and Jindong formations) were derived as a possible candidate host rock types for the geological disposal. However, since the analyzed data for candidate rock types from this study is not enough, it is suggested that the disposal rock type should be carefully determined from additional and detailed analysis on disposal depth, regional characteristics, multidisciplinary investigations, etc.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.251-258
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• 2019

During the detailed geological survey around the southern Yangsan Fault, we newly found a Quaternary fault outcrop, which cuts unconsolidated sediments. The fault named the Sinwoo site, located in the Sinwoo pasture, Miho-ri, Duseo-myeon, Ulsan metropolitan city, is the first discovered Quaternary fault near the western part of the south Yangsan Fault. In this study, we provide information on characteristics of fault geometry and unconsolidated sediment at Sinwoo site based on the analysis data of topography, drainage, and lineament around the study site. The fault site is situated at pediment slope, but fan-shaped middle terrace, as well as thick sediment exposed at low terrace, indicates that the unconsolidated sediments have been deposited in the alluvial fan environment. The drainage develops to the third-order drainage system, and the first and the second drainage system meet at right angles to each other and form a radial drainage pattern. In addition, the NE-SW direction lineaments can be identified on the basis of the curvature of the river and the step of the topographic relief, running over the Sinwoo site. The fault of $N30-35^{\circ}E/79-82^{\circ}SE$ shows ~ 5.8 m apparent vertical offset and dominantly reverse-slip sense based on slickenline, rotation of pebbles, and drag folding at footwall. However, some discontinuous sediments observed in the footwall are interpreted as fissure-filling materials due to the strike-slip movement. Now, we are under multidisciplinary investigations of additional field survey and age dating in order to determine the evolution of Sinwoo site fault during the Quaternary.