• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.17-25
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• 2016

The rocks exposed on the surface undergo expedite weathering process due to the effects of climatic process, etc. and the weathering process changes the properties of minerals, thereby lowering the stability of rocks. Therefore, it is important to examine the composition of minerals in order to investigate the resistance of rocks against weathering, which is performed by weathering sensitivity analysis. And microscopic flaking test was performed for the bored samples in this study and the composition of minerals that are vulnerable to weathering was measured through mode analysis. The lithological and mineralogical weathering factors were evaluated through this process. Furthermore, the degree of progress of weathering was identified by quantitatively measuring the actual mineral composition of rocks through X-Ray diffraction analysis and identifying the secondary minerals through observation with a scanning electron microscope. This analyzing the weathering sensitivity was analyzed to be capable of determining appropriate indicators that can determine weather resistance and predicting the weathering grade using chemical weathering speed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2004.03b
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• pp.882-889
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• 2004

Wetness index obtained from topography data of Woogak Mountain was compared with chemical alteration index(CAI), clay minerall contents of rock, and magnetic susceptibility changes of outcrops, and they show a close interrelationship. It is shown that the wetness index can be used as a quantitative indicator of the weathering degree of rocks. Moreover, wetness index simulate quantitatively the hydrologic condition of the local area. Therefore, it is anticipated that wetness index can be used as the data that calculate the weathering speed of rock and weathering grade in the study of weathering sensitivity of rock.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.16 no.2 s.61
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• pp.109-134
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• 2006

Rocks undergo weathering processes influenced by changing in pressure-temperature condition, atmosphere, underground water, and rainfall. The weathering processes change physical and chemical characteristics of the rocks. Once the rocks are weathered, the characteristics of them are changed and, because of the changing, several disadvantages such as rock slope failures and underground water spouts are can occur. Before we cut a large rock slope, therefore, we must analyze current weathering conditions of rocks and predict weathering processes in the future. Through the results of such analyses, we can judge reinforcement works. In order to comply with such requests, chemical weathering sensitivity analysis which was analyzed from chemical weathering velocities and other characteristics of rocks has been applied in several prior construction works in Korea. But, It is defective to use directly in engineering fields because it was developed for soils(not rocks), it has too mny factors must be considered and the relationships between the factors are not clear, and it is hard to explain the weathering processes in engineering time range. Besides above, because it has been used for isotropic rocks, this method is hard to apply to anisotropic rocks such as sedimentary rocks. Acceding to studies from morphologists (e.g. Oguchi et al., 1994; Sunamura, 1996; Norwick and Dexter, 2002), time dependent strength reduction influenced by weathering shows a negative exponential function form. Appling this relation, one can synthesize the factors which influence the weathering processes to the strength reduction, and get meaningful estimates in engineering viewpoint. We suggest this weathering sensitivity characterization method as a technique that can explain time dependent weathering sensitivity characteristics through strength changes and can directly applied the rock slope design.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.15-22
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• 2022

This study aims to observe the swelling representative rocks in Korea and to suggest improvements in the use of test methods and prior analysis in relation to the weathering of rocks. The swelling test and analysis were performed on the drilling cores obtained for the ground investigation at the domestic highway construction site. For the method of determining the absorption expansion index of rocks, the method proposed in "Standard Methods for Sample Collection and Specimen Preparation" of ISRM and Korean Rock Engineers Standard Rock Test Method was used. The specimen for the measurement of the expansion displacement was cylindrical with a height of 10 cm and a diameter of 5 cm. The existing swelling analysis method evaluates the sensitivity to weathering by using the maximum expansion displacement, but since the classification by bedrock grade is unclear, it is reasonable to use the rate of change of the expansion displacement according to the immersion time. It is necessary to conduct an experiment to distinguish between weathering and fault deterioration. In addition, long-term weathering prediction technology for each cancer type is needed through the expansion displacement analysis of the chemical weathering stage.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.20
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• pp.89-103
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• 2007

The bedrock beneath the Chokseongnu pavilion consists of sandstone with alternate dark-gray to light-brown siltstone and dark-gray shale of the Jinju Formation, where bedding is well developed toward the Chokseongmun gate. Large to small joints and overbreak from the erosion weathering have been developed in the bedrock. Besides, water leakage from development of discontinuity planes, fragmentation of shale, crack and joint by tree roots are observed on the bedrock. While shale and siltstone showed high sensitivity in physical and chemical weathering, respectively, sandstone indicated the highest weathering sensitivity in both. As the results of structural stability analysis, the whole bedrock has high instability in wedge failures, and especially section No. II slope is more instable than section No. I. Therefore, it is necessary for the bedrock to be strengthened by improvement method for soft foundations and the surface reinforcement. The trees causing mechanical collapse of the bedrock should be also removed and a water flow prevention measure or a water exhaust are required.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.239-246
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• 2011

Upon encountering weathering soil at a construction site, it may be necessary to change the design and construction plans for geotechnical structures. When weathering soil is exposed to air, the weathering process proceeds rapidly, resulting in significant damage to geotechnical structures, particle defects, and an increase in moisture sensitivity. The management of weathering-soil compaction is challenging. Because the engineering properties of weathering-soils vary regionally, it is important to report the result of research into the regional characteristics of such soils. At two locations of granite gneiss in the Gansung area of Gangwon-do, geological studies were performed at 22 and 8 sites, respectively. At each site, test samples were collected for analysis by XRD and to measure particle size, consistency, and compaction. To evaluate the suitability of the material for road subgrade, we examined the interrelationship between CBR value and the uniformity coefficient, the 200 sieve passing ratio and the aggregate ${\geq}$ 2 mm) content. We found that for the weathered granite soil, aggregate sized > 2 mm has a significant effect on the CBR value. In addition, the mixing of aggregate sized > 2 mm with sub-quality soil improves the soil condition.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.276-283
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• 2012

Changes in rock properties due to freezing and thawing cycles ranging from $-20^{\circ}C$ to $10^{\circ}C$ were checked for the typical Korean rocks: granite (weathered), limestone, sandstone, tuff, shale and basalt. The porosity, seismic velocity, shore hardness and specific gravity were measured every 10 cycles for each type of rock up to 40 cycles. The specific gravity was rarely changed. Granite (w), shale and basalt decreased gradually in their shore hardness and seismic velocity values, these values for limestone, sandstone and tuff changed only a very little. The porosity increased in the granite (w), shale and basalt, whereas in the others it did not change. Due to the low tensile strength with high porosity, granite (w), shale and basalt were susceptible to the F-T cycles. A linear regression equation was calculated based on the experiment results according to properties and types of rock. The relationship between the freeze-thaw sensitivity (=initial porosity/initial tensile strength) and the coefficients of the regression equation was examined. With additional experimental data, the coefficients of the regression equation can be estimated using the F-T sensitivity. This makes it possible to predict the properties of rock as affected by freeze-thaw weathering by only measuring the initial properties without knowledge of the regression equation coefficients for each type of rock.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.233-239
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• 2000

The sensitivity analysis of input parameters was Performed fer an ingestion dose assessment model (U. S. NRC's Regulatory Guide 1.109 model) from routine releases of radionuclides. In this study, three kinds of typical Korean foodstuffs (rice, leaff vegetables, milk) and two kinds of radionuclides $(^{l37}Cs,\;^{131}I)$ were considered. The values of input parameters were sampled using a Latin hypercube sampling technique based on Monte Carlo approach. Sensitivity indices, which represent the influence or the importance of input parameters for predictive results, were quantitatively expressed by the partial rank correlation coefficients. As the results, the ratio of the interception fraction to the yield of agricultural plants and the human consumption rate were sensitive input parameters for the considered foodstuffs and radionuclides. Additionally, in case of milk, the transfer factor of radionuclides from animal intake to milk and the daily intake rate of feedstuffs were sensitive input parameters. The weathering removal half-life and the delay time from food production to human consumption were relatively sensitive for $^{137}Cs$ and $^{131}I$ depositions, respectively.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.54-66
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• 2023

Titanium's importance as a mineral resource is increasing, but the Korean industry depends on imports. Ilmenite is the principal titanium ore. However, research and development from raw materials have not been investigated yet in detail. Hence, measures to secure a stable titanium supply chain are urgently needed. Accordingly, through beneficiation technology, we evaluated the possibility of technological application for the efficient recovery of valuable minerals. As a result of the experiments, we confirmed that mineral particles existed as fine particles due to weathering, making recovery through classification difficult. Consequently, applying beneficiation technologies, i.e., specific gravity separation, magnetic separation, and flotation, makes it possible to recover valuable minerals such as hematite and rutile. However, there are limitations in increasing the quality and yield of TiO₂ due to the mineralogical characteristic of the hematite and rutile contained in titanium ore. Hametite is combined with rutile even at fine particles. Therefore, it is essential to develop mineral processing routes, to recover iron, vanadium, and rare earth elements as resources. On that account, we used grinding technology that improves group separation between constituent minerals and magnetic separation technology that utilizes the difference in magnetic sensitivity between fine mineral particles. The development of beneficiation technology that can secure the economic feasibility of valuable materials after reforming iron oxide and titanium oxide components is necessary.