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2026 Vol.28, Issue 2 Preview Page

Research Paper

Analysis of groundwater flow changes and acid drainage dispersion behavior induced by tunnel excavation

터널 굴착에 따른 지하수 유동 변화와 산성배수의 확산 거동 분석

Heesu Kim1
,
Jae-Kook Lee2
,
Jong Deuk Lim3
,
Hoki Ban4*
김 희수1
,
이 재국2
,
임 종득3
,
반 호기4*
1Post-Doctoral Researcher, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Kangwon National University
2Senior Executive Director, Saman Corporation
3Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Kangwon National University
4Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Kangwon National University
1정회원, 강원대학교 미래토목건설공학과 박사후연구원
2정회원, ㈜삼안 부사장
3정회원, 강원대학교 건설융합학과 박사과정생
4정회원, 강원대학교 미래토목건설공학과 교수
*Corresponding Author
31 March 2026. pp. 149-164
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Abstract

During tunnel excavation, the oxidation of sulfide minerals can be accelerated due to rock fracturing and increased groundwater inflow, which may lead to the generation of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). Such acidic drainage can deteriorate the water quality of groundwater and nearby surface water systems and may cause long-term maintenance problems for tunnel structures. In this study, the geological and hydrogeological characteristics of the A Tunnel section located in Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea were analyzed, and the changes in groundwater flow and the dispersion behavior of acid drainage induced by tunnel excavation were evaluated through numerical analysis. Field investigation results indicated that strongly acidic groundwater with a pH range of 2.04–4.89 was measured at the sump within the tunnel. In some sections, however, groundwater with nearly neutral conditions (pH 6.9–7.39) was observed due to the influence of surface water inflow. The DEM analysis confirmed that the groundwater flow in the study area tends to develop toward the eastern and southern directions. The numerical analysis of groundwater flow showed that the maximum affected area caused by tunnel excavation was approximately 0.461 km2 at the completion of excavation, and the affected area gradually decreased over time. In addition, the analysis of AMD dispersion behavior indicated that contaminants, based on the concentration of sulfate ions, are predicted to spread up to approximately 84 m from the tunnel after 10 years following the completion of excavation. The results of this study can be utilized as fundamental data for understanding the changes in groundwater flow and the dispersion behavior of acid drainage caused by tunnel excavation. Furthermore, they are expected to contribute to predicting the potential occurrence of acid drainage and establishing appropriate management strategies during the tunnel design and maintenance stages.

Keywords
Acid mine drainage (AMD)
Tunnel excavation
Groundwater flow
Numerical analysis
Contaminant dispersion

터널 굴착 과정에서는 암반 파쇄와 지하수 유입 증가로 인해 황화광물의 산화 반응이 촉진되며, 이에 따라 산성배수(Acid Mine Drainage, AMD)가 발생할 수 있다. 이러한 산성배수는 지하수 및 인근 수계의 수질을 악화시키고 터널 구조물의 장기적인 유지관리 문제를 발생할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 경상남도 밀양시 A터널 구간을 대상으로 지질 및 수리지질학적 특성을 분석하고, 터널 굴착에 따른 지하수 유동 변화와 산성배수의 확산 거동을 수치해석을 통해 평가하였다. 현장조사 결과 터널 내 집수정에서 pH 2.04–4.89 범위의 강산성 지하수가 계측되었으며, 일부 구간에서는 지표수 유입 등의 영향으로 pH 6.9–7.39 범위의 중성에 가까운 값을 보였다. DEM 분석 결과 대상 지역의 지하수 유동은 동측 및 남측 방향으로 형성되는 경향이 확인되었다. 지하수 유동 수치해석 결과 터널 굴착에 따른 최대 영향면적은 굴착 완료 시 약 0.461 km2로 나타났으며, 이후 시간이 경과함에 따라 점차 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 또한 산성배수 확산 거동 분석 결과 황산이온 농도 기준으로 오염물질은 굴착 완료 후 10년 시점에서 최대 약 84 m까지 확산되는 것으로 예측되었다. 본 연구 결과는 터널 굴착에 따른 지하수 유동 변화와 산성배수 확산 거동을 이해하는 데 기초자료로 활용될 수 있으며, 향후 터널 설계 및 유지관리 단계에서 산성배수 발생 가능성을 예측하고 관리 방안을 수립하는 데 기여할 것으로 판단된다.

키워드
산성배수(AMD)
터널 굴착
지하수 유동
수치해석
오염물 확산
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Tunneling and Underground Space Association
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국터널지하공간학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국터널지하공간학회 논문집
  • Volume : 28
  • No :2
  • Pages :149-164
  • Received Date : 2026-03-06
  • Revised Date : 2026-03-12
  • Accepted Date : 2026-03-12
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.9711/KTAJ.2026.28.2.149
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