• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.351-361
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• 2022

Numerical analysis performed to predict the behavior of Ipseok-dae columnar joints in Mudeungsan National Park to understand their stability and movement. The numerical analysis technique, 3DEC, is based on the discrete element method that can analysis discontinuities. The analysis used data for material properties derived from laboratory tests, which found that average density was 2.68 kN/m³, average normal stiffness was 3.15 GPa/m, average shear stiffness was 1.00 GPa/m, average cohesion was 0.51 MPa, and the average friction angle was 33°. The Ipseok-dae columnar joints were modeled on the basis of the field survey data for 15 joints located between the observation platform and the hiking trail. The numerical analysis assessed the behavior of each columnar joint by interpreting the displacement of the edges of its upper and lower surfaces. The greatest maximum displacement was found in columnar joint No. 6, and the greatest minimum displacement was found in joint No. 11. Analyzing the movements of five discontinuities in joint No. 11 indicated that the maximum displacement occurred at the 2nd level. The other levels were ordered 5th, 4th, 1st, and 3rd in terms of subsequent greatest displacements. Considering the total displacement in the 15 studied joints, the Ipseok-dae columnar joints are judged to be stable. However, considering the cultural and historical value of Mudeungsan National Park, it is regarded that the currents slope stability should be maintained by monitoring the individual rock blocks of the joints.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2000.09a
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• pp.163-170
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• 2000

The distinct element method has been effectively applied to the analysis of stability and behavior of jointed rock masses. In this paper the modelling characteristics of different types of distinct element model were investigated. Arch tunnel examples were chosen to compare the calculation results of two computer codes, NURBM and CBLOCK, where the former is based on implicit algorithm, and the other on explicit one. CBLOCK calculations show that joint properties are very important parameters in the stability analysis and that the joint stiffness ratio associated with joint configuration could be used as an indicator, whereas NURBM differ from that. Some other disagreements were also identified.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.410-417
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• 2000

The distinct element method has been effectively applied to the analysis of stability and behavior of jointed rock masses. In this paper the modelling characteristics of different types of distinct element model were investigated. Arch tunnel examples were chosen to compare the calculation results of two computer codes, NURBM and CBLOCK, where the former is based on implicit algorithm, and the other on explicit one. CBLOCK calculations show that joint properties are very important parameters in the stability analysis and that the joint stiffness ratio associated with joint configuration could be used as an indicator, whereas NURBM differ from that. Some other disagreements were also identified.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.24-37
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• 2005

In this study we examined the geomorphological and geological characteristics of the granite landforms in the Iksan area. Moreover we investigated the source areas of stones which are used to build the Mieruksaji west stone pagoda. Joint is most identifiable geomorphological and geological structure in the Iksan area. Direction of J1 joint appears to be N71°E∼EW, and that of J2 joint ranges N20°W∼N20°E. Cross-pattern joint is predominant in the study area, and linen.-pattern vertical joint is also observed. Tor and corestone are easily found as geomorphological features in the study area. Corestones forming for are almost 2∼3 m across and 2∼3 m or over 5 m high. Their hardness is mainly of hammer bounce. Tower-type and castle-type of for are characteristic in the Mireuksan granites. Other geomorphological features such as tafoni, gnamma are also observed in the study area. Petrographical and geochemical features of the stones used for the Mireuksaji west stone pagoda are compared with those of the granites cropped out nearby, and indicate that the stones from the Mieruksaji west stone pagoda are quite similar to the Mireuksan granites. In the Mireuksan we can easily find lots of old traces for rock cutting.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.561-577
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• 2021

The compacted bentonite buffer in a geological repository for high-level radioactive waste disposal is saturated due to groundwater inflow. Saturation of the bentonite buffer results in bentonite swelling and bentonite penetration into the rock discontinuities present around the disposal hole. The penetrated bentonite is exposed to groundwater flow and can be eroded out of the repository, resulting in bentonite mass loss which can affect the physical integrity of the engineered barrier system. Hence, the evaluation of buffer-rock interactions and coupled behavior due to groundwater inflow and bentonite penetration is necessary to ensure long-term disposal safety. In this study, the effects of the bentonite penetration and swelling on the physical properties of jointed rock mass were evaluated using the quasi-static resonant column test. Jointed rock specimens with bentonite penetration were manufactured using Gyeongju bentonite and hollow cylindrical granite rock discs obtained from the KAERI underground research tunnel. The effects of vertical stress and saturation were assessed using the P-wave and S-wave velocities for intact rock, jointed rock and jointed rock with bentonite penetration specimens. The joint normal and joint shear stiffnesses of each joint condition were inferred from the wave velocity results assuming an equivalent continuum. The joint normal and joint shear stiffnesses obtained from this study can be used as input factors for future numerical analysis on the performance evaluation of geological waste disposal considering rock discontinuities.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1998.05a
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• pp.35-81
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• 1998

Distinct Element Method(DEM) has a great advantage to model the discontinuous behaviour of jointed rock masses such as rotation, sliding, and separation of rock blocks. Geometrical data of joints by a field monitoring is not enough to model the jointed rock mass though the results of DE analysis for the jointed rock mass is most sensitive to the distributional properties of joints. Also, it is important to use a properly joint law in evaluating the stability of a jointed rock mass because the joint is considered as the contact between blocks in DEM. In this study, a stochastic modelling technique is developed and the dilatant rock joint is numerically modelled in order to consider th geometrical and mechanical properties of joints in DE analysis. The stochastic modelling technique provides a assemblage of rock blocks by reproducing the joint distribution from insufficient joint data. Numerical Modelling of joint dilatancy in a edge-edge contact of DEM enable to consider not only mechanical properties but also various boundary conditions of joint. Preprocess Procedure for a stochastic DE model is composed of a statistical process of raw data of joints, a joint generation, and a block boundary generation. This stochastic DE model is used to analyze the effect of deviations of geometrical joint parameters on .the behaviour of jointed rock masses. This modelling method may be one tool for the consistency of DE analysis because it keeps the objectivity of the numerical model. In the joint constitutive law with a dilatancy, the normal and shear behaviour of a joint are fully coupled due to dilatation. It is easy to quantify the input Parameters used in the joint law from laboratory tests. The boundary effect on the behaviour of a joint is verified from shear tests under CNL and CNS using the numerical model of a single joint. The numerical model developed is applied to jointed rock masses to evaluate the effect of joint dilation on tunnel stability.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.17-30
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• 2009

Underground construction such as tunneling can induce damages on the surrounding rock mass, due to the stress concentration of in situ stresses and excessive energy input during construction sequence, such as blasting. The developed damage on the rock mass can have substantial influence on the mechanical and hydraulic behaviors of the rock masses around a tunnel. In this study, investigation on the generation of damage around an opening in a jointed rock model under biaxial compression condition was conducted. The joint dip angles employed are 30, 45, and 60 degrees to the horizontal, and the synthetic rock mass was made using early strength cement and water. From the biaxial compression test, initiation and propagation of tensile cracks at norm to the joint angle were found. The propagated tensile cracks eventually developed rock blocks, which were dislodged from the rock mass. Furthermore, the propagation process of the tensile cracks varies with joint angle: lower joint angle model shows more stable and progressive tensile crack propagation. The development of the tensile crack can be explained under the hypothesis that the rock segment encompassed by the joint set is subjected to the developing moment, which can be induced by the geometric irregularity around the opening in the rock model. The experiment results were simulated by using discrete element method PFC 2D. From the simulation, as has been observed from the test, a rock mass with lower joint angle produces wider damage region and rock block by tensile cracks. In addition, a rock model with lower joint angle shows progressive tensile cracks generation around the opening from the investigation of the interacted tensile cracks.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.69-82
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• 1999

Direct shear tests are perfromed for artifical joint models made of cement with 25 types of different strength and roughness. The tests consist of the multi-stage test which is a common test method for a single joint plane and the test method suggested by ISRM. Then, not only the differences of friction angles between the two test methods are compared, but is the effectiveness of the multi-stage test investigated. The average of friction angles measured from the multi-stage test is $6.4^{\circ}$ lower than that from the ISRM test. Although the strength and roughness of samples vary, the differences of friction angles between the two test methods are constant. The relationship between the shear stress and the normal stress measured from the multi-stage test is well correlate with the Patton's equation. Whereas, the Barton's equation is best fitted with those measured from ISRM test.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.234-248
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• 1998

This paper presents a new constitutive model for numerical modeling the shear behaviour of rough rock joints. The model incorporates the dilatancy of joints on the basis of elasto-plastic theory. Barton's empirical shear strength formular are adopted in the formulation process. The mobilized JRC concept is evoked to address the shear strength hardening and sofrening phenomena. The mobilized JRC in the pre- and post-peak range is approximated by assuming that the variation of JRC is a function of tangential plastic work. Discrete finite joint element is used to implement the proposed constitutive model. The model is validated by the numerical direct shear test on a single joint which is subjected to different boundary conditions. The test results are in good agreement with the experimental observations reported by other authors. The numerical tests also exhibit that the proposed model can simulate the salient features envisaged in the behaviour of rough rock joints.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2008

We have carried out Pearson-type chi-square tests on the orientation data of joints from different depths in order to estimate the homogeneity of joint orientations obtained from a borehole. The orientation data of joints were collected from two non-foliated massive rocks of granitic gneisses in South Korea since orientations of joints in folded metamorphic rocks, for example, are controlled by foliation and also changes as the orientations of foliation change by folding. Borehole images were used for the analysis of the orientations of individual joints. The orientation data were subdivided into the upper level data and lower level data. The data from these two levels are plotted on the patch net consisting of 21 orientation patches. Then, the two patterns on the patch net were analyzed using a contingency table. From the chi-square test on the data collected from two sites, we found that some data sets show statistically meaningful differences in orientations of joints. Since joints are one of the important parameters in determining the physical properties of rock masses, in situ investigation of joints are desirable in the geotechnical investigation and also in design of subsurface structures (e.g. tunnels and underground storages).