• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.25-35
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• 2014

The sedimentary rocks exposed around Mt. Palgong were subjected to metamorphism due to a granitic magma intrusion at late Cretaceous, and they eventually metamorphosed to hornfels by the action of both hydrothermal solution and high temperature supplied from the magma. The hornfels zone around the granite body ranges from 2.0 to 3.5 km in width but the boundary between hornfels and sedimentary rocks is not obviously defined because the metamorphic grade gradually decreases with distance from the granite boundary. A series of laboratory tests on 350 core specimens made by 35 fresh rock blocks obtained from 5 selected locations around Mt. Palgong are performed to verify the variation of physical and mechanical properties related to metamorphic grade of the rock. Water content and absorption ratio of the hornfels linearly increase with distance to the granite boundary whereas dry unit weight, p-wave velocity, point load strength, and slake durability index linearly decrease with the distance. These results imply that the metamorphic grade of the hornfels also linearly decrease with the distance to granite boundary. Empirical equations for the variation of properties with the distance to granite boundary and relationship between a property and another one are deduced by regression analyses. And a criteria for classification of hornfels exposed in the study area based on the P-wave velocity and point load strength is proposed.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.427-438
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• 2023

We carried out a geological survey to classify the types of mass movement in Danyang Geopark (where various rock types are distributed) and analyzed the mechanical and hydraulic characteristics of landslide materials using a series of laboratory tests. Debris flows occurred in areas of limestone/marble, shale, and porphyroblastic gneiss, and limestone/marble landslides were distinguished from the others through the presence of karren topography. Soil tests showed that soil derived from weathered gneiss, which has a higher proportion of coarse grains, has a higher friction angle, lower cohesion, and larger hydraulic conductivity than soils from areas of limestone/marble, and shale. Rock failure mass movements occurred in areas of phyllite, sandstone, and conglomerate and were subdivided into plane failure, block-fall, and boulder-fall types in areas of phyllite, sandstone, and conglomerate, respectively. The shear strength of phyllite is much lower than that of the other types of rock, which have similar rock quality. The slake durability index of the conglomerate is similar to that of the other rock types, which have similar degrees of weathering, but differential weathering of the matrix and clasts was clearly observed when comparing the samples before and after the test. This study can help establish appropriate reinforcement and disaster prevention measures, which depend on the type of mass movement expected given the geological characteristics of an area.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.287-303
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• 2009

Rock mass in Baekrokdam at the summit of Hallasan in Jeju island is composed of two volcanic rock types: Baekrokdam trachybasalt at the eastern region and Hallasan trachyte at the western region. On-going rockfall and subsequent collapse of Baekrokdam wall rock are closely linked to the weathering of trachyte distributed in the western region of Baekrokdam. Samples of Hallasan trachyte showing different weathering grades had been collected and the polarizing microscopic observation, X-ray diffraction analysis and analysis for chemical weathering had been conducted. Formation of secondary minerals, especially clay minerals, by chemical weathering has not been identified, but the change of chemical weathering indices indicated that chemical weathering process had been proceeded to the degree for increasing and decreasing the contents of some chemical components. Changes in physical and mechanical rock properties due to weathering has also been examined. Artificial weathering test of freezing-thawing reveals that the process of crack initiation and propagation deteriorated the mechanical characteristics of Hallasan trachyte and $D_B$ = 1.5 or porosity = $20{\sim}21%$ would be the ultimate limiting value induced by the mechanical weathering processes.