• 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.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.388-398
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• 2023

The changes in groundwater flow due to mining development act as a contributing factor to major issues such as ground subsidence, strength reduction and collapse. For the sustainable mining development, measures for dealing with fluctuations in seasonal underground water inflow, power losses, pump damage, and unexpected increases in inflow must be put in place. In this study, the aim is to identify the causes of underground seepage through the examination of hydrological connectivity between the study area and nearby limestone mine. A tracer tes for assessing subsurface connectivity has been planned. A variety of tracers, such as dyes and ions, were applied in lab test to select the optimal tracer material, and a hydrological model of the study area was implemented through field test. Finally, the hydrological connectivity between the external stream and underground water in the mine was analyzed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.399-413
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• 2023

The present study conducted a numerical modeling of CO₂ injection at the Janggi Basin using the TOUGH-FLAC simulator, and examined the hydro-mechanical stability of the aquifer and the fault. Based on the site investigations and a 3D geological model of the target area, we simulated the injection of 32,850 tons of CO₂ over a 3-year period. The analysis of CO₂ plume with different values of the aquifer permeability revealed that assuming a permeability of 10^-14 m² the CO₂ plume exhibited a radial flow and reached the fault after 2 years and 9 months. Conversely, a higher permeability of 10^-13 m² resulted in predominant westward flow along the reservoir, with negligible impact on the fault. The pressure changes around the injection well remained below 0.6 MPa over the period, and the influence on the hydro-mechanical stability of the reservoir and fault was found to be insignificant.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.534-546
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• 2023

If the disc cutter is excessively worn or damaged, it becomes incapable of rotating and efficiently cutting rockmass. Therefore, it is important to appropriately manage the replacement cycle of the disc cutter based on its degree of wear. In general, the replacement cycle is determined based on the results of manual inspection. However, the manual measurements has issues related to worker safety and may lead to inaccurate measurement results. For these reasons, some foreign countries are developing the real-time measurement system of disc cutter wear by using different sensors. The ultrasonic sensors, eddy current sensors, magnetic sensors, and others are utilized for measuring the wear amount of disc cutters. In this study, the applicability of eddy current sensors for real-time measurement of wear amount in TBM disc cutters was evaluated. The distance measurement accuracy of the eddy current sensor was assessed through laboratory tests. In particular, the accuracy of eddy-current sensor was evaluated in various environmental conditions within the cutterhead chamber. In addition, the measurement accuracy of the eddy current sensor was validated using a 17-inch disc cutter.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.547-560
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• 2023

Recently, research on predicting ground classification using machine learning techniques, TBM excavation data, and ground data is increasing. In this study, a multi-classification prediction study for uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) was conducted by applying random forest model based on a decision tree among machine learning techniques widely used in various fields to machine data and ground data acquired at three slurry shield TBM sites. For the classification prediction, the training and test data were divided into 7:3, and a grid search including 5-fold cross-validation was used to select the optimal parameter. As a result of classification learning for UCS using a random forest, the accuracy of the multi-classification prediction model was found to be high at both 0.983 and 0.982 in the training set and the test set, respectively. However, due to the imbalance in data distribution between classes, the recall was evaluated low in class 4. It is judged that additional research is needed to increase the amount of measured data of UCS acquired in various sites.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.574-593
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• 2023

In this study, the effectiveness and applicability of a newly designed Compact CNS shear box for conducting direct shear tests on jointed rock specimens were investigated. CNS joint shear tests were conducted on jointed rocks with Artificially generated roughness while varying the fracture surface roughness coefficient and initial normal stress conditions. In addition, displacement data were validated by Digital image correlation analysis, fracture patterns were observed, and comparative analysis was conducted with previously studied shear behavior prediction models. Furthermore, the accuracy of the displacement data was confirmed through DIC analysis, the fracture patterns were observed, and the shear properties obtained from the tests were compared with existing models that predict shear behavior. The findings exhibited a strong correlation with specific established empirical models for predicting shear behavior. Furthermore, the potential linkage between the characteristics of shear behavior and fracture patterns was deliberated. In conclusion, the CNS shear box was shown to be applicable and effective in providing data on the shear characteristics of the joint.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.483-494
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• 2023

Measurement of the physical properties of rocks or minerals is an important factor in determining the distribution of the underground medium as well as mineral resource investigations. Resistivity and induced polarization, which are widely used in Korea, are methods for measuring electrical properties, which are representative properties of obtaining subsurface information. In order to precisely analyze the exploration data obtained from various sites, it is important to accurately measure the material properties. Electrical properties of rock is measured using two-electrode or four-electrode method. Compared to the four-electrode method, the two-electrode method is generally used because it is very easy to contact the sample and the electrode, but there is a problem in that the impedance of the electrode and the sample is measured together. In this study, the time-domain the induced polarization effects were measured using the 2-electrode method and the 4-electrode method for artificial samples mixed with graphite and cement having induced polarization characteristics, and the results were compared. Although the 4-electrode method has difficulties in installing potential electrodes, it was confirmed that it is effective in measuring electrical properties because it can reduce the problem caused by the impedance of potential electrodes compared to the 2-electrode method.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.519-533
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• 2023

In this study, the linear cutting tests of pick cutters were carried out on a granitic rock with the average compressive strength over 100 MPa. From the tests, the correlation between the cutter acting force and the temperature measured by infrared thermal imaging camera during rock cutting was analyzed. In every experimental condition, the maximum temperature was measured at the rock surface where the chipping occurred, and the temperature generated in the rock was closely correlated with the cutter acting force. On the other hand, the temperature of a pick cutter increased up to only 36℃ above the ambient temperature, and the correlation with the cutter force was not obvious. This can be attributed to the short cutting distance under laboratory conditions and the high thermal conductivity of the tungsten carbide inserts. However, the relatively high temperature of the tungsten carbide inserts was found to be maintained. Therefore, it is recommended that a reinforcement between the insert and the head of a pick cutter or the quality improvement of silvering brazing in the production of a cutter is necessary to maintain the high cutting performance of a pick cutter.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.509-523
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• 2023

The high-level nuclear waste (HLW) repository is exposed to complex environmental conditions consisting of high temperature, high humidity, and radiation, resulting in structural deterioration. Therefore, structural health monitoring is essential, and piezo sensors are used to detect cracks and estimate strength. However, since the monitoring sensors installed in the disposal tunnel and disposal container cannot be replaced or removed, the quantitative life of the monitoring sensor and its suitability must be assessed. In this study, the life of a piezo sensor for monitoring was assessed using an accelerated life test (ALT). The failure mode and mechanism of the piezo sensor under high temperature conditions were determined, and temperature stress's influence on the piezo sensor's life was analyzed. ALT was conducted on temperature stress and the relationship between temperature stress and piezo sensor life was suggested. The life of the piezo sensor was assessed using the Weibull probability distribution and the Arrhenius acceleration model. The suggested relationship can be used in multiple stress ALT designs for more precise life assessment.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2024

The construction of underground infrastructure is garnering growing increasing research attention owing to population concentration and infrastructure overcrowding in urban areas. An important associated task is establishing a monitoring system to evaluate stability during infrastructure construction and operation, which relies on developing techniques for ground investigation that can evaluate ground stability, verify design validity, predict risk, facilitate safe operation management, and reduce construction costs. The method proposed here uses satellite imaging in a cost-effective and accurate ground investigation technique that can be applied over a wide area during the construction and operation of infrastructure. In this study, analysis was performed using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data with the time-series radar interferometric technique to observe surface displacement during the construction of urban underground roads. As a result, it was confirmed that continuous surface displacement was occurring at some locations. In the future, comparing and analyzing on-site measurement data with the points of interest would aid in confirming whether displacement occurs due to tunnel excavation and assist in estimating the extent of excavation impact zones.