HLW Site Assessment Parameters of D-GIVES using Geophysical Logging Data in Deep Boreholes

Between 2020 and 2024, ten boreholes were drilled to depths of up to 750 meters to improve understanding of Korea’s deep geological environment for future high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal site selection. Core samples were collected for geological and rock mechanical analysis, and hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical tests were conducted to evaluate key site assessment parameters across representative bedrock types.

The resulting data were integrated into D-GIVES (Deep-GeoInformation Verification System), an expanded version of the surface data-based GIVES. This study presents the implementation of D-GIVES using standardized procedures for processing and interpreting geophysical logging data in deep boreholes. The system compiles critical parameters related to the natural barrier functions of four major rock types. The reliability of derived values was verified by comparison with laboratory measurements from core samples.

This integrated approach supports the development of a consistent methodology for extracting rock engineering parameters and contributes to future HLW disposal site evaluation in Korea.