• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.101-108
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• 2024

A system with the ability to recognize potential key blocks during tunnel construction by analyzing the rock face was developed in this study. This system predicts the formation of key blocks in advance and evaluates their safety factors. A laser scanner was used to collect a three-dimensional point cloud of the rock face, which was then utilized to model the excavation surface and derive the joint surfaces. Because joint surfaces have specific strikes and dip angles, the key blocks formed by these surfaces are deduced through iterative calculations, and the safety factor of each key block can be calculated accordingly. The model experiments confirmed the accuracy of the system's output in terms of the joint surface characteristics. By inputting the joint surface information, the calculated safety factors were compared with those from the existing commercial software, demonstrating stable calculation results within a 1% error margin.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.20-32
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• 2008

The study shows a method called a square-inventory method, which is a better and faster method than scanline survey and window method for an analysis of slope stability. The study area is located in the Changri area, Boeun-Gun, Chungbuk, and consists of many formations of the Okcheon Supergroup. Various types of failure are observed from the phyllite including the rocks in the study area. The physical properties of meta-sedimentary rocks are that minerals of the rocks are composed of microcrystalline quartz and sericite, which are arranged parallel to bedding (or schistosity) and crenulation cleavage. Therefore, such properties affect geotechnical ones of the rock. The slope stability are analyzed by selecting 3 areas, each of which are divided into 2 or 3 slopes of $1m{\times}1m$ area that represent each of 3 investigation sites. The possibility of wedge and toppling failure is very high in all 3 areas by using square-inventory method. Although possibility of plane failure is weak in the investigation site 2, the plane failures are frequently found from the slope of site 2. The bedding (or schistosity) plane and cleavage, another types of discontinuity coexist in meta-sedimentary rocks uulike igneous rocks, and therefore are important factors to be considered together with joint structures in th ε analysis of slope stability.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.381-390
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• 2010

This study assessed the hydrogeological characteristics of a seepage area of white leachate. The geological characteristics of the leachate were determined by a surface survey, and an electrical resistivity survey and borehole image processing system (BIPS) were applied to estimate the distribution of discontinuities, to assess the geological structure of the seepage areas. Fluctuations in groundwater level within boreholes were measured during periods of precipitation in the dry and wet seasons. The results show that electrical resistivity is lower in the seepage section than in non-seepage sections. The distribution of fracture zones and limestone cavities was inferred from the logging data and BIPS data. Variations in groundwater level and groundwater recharge, related to rainfall events, show the direct effect of rainfall events during the rainy season. We obtained a strong relationship between seepage amount and rainfall (correlation coefficients of 0.83-0.97).

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.17-30
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• 2020

An optical televiewer is a geophysical logging device that produces continuous high-resolution full-azimuth images of a borehole wall using a light-emitting-diode and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor image sensor to provide valuable information on subsurface discontinuities. Recently, borehole imaging logging has been applied in many fields, including ground subsidence monitoring, rock mass integrity evaluation, stress-induced fracture detection, and glacial annual-layer measurements in polar regions. Widely used commercial borehole imaging logging systems typically have limitations depending on equipment specifications, meaning that it is necessary to clearly verify the scope of applications while maintaining appropriate quality control for various borehole conditions. However, it is difficult to directly check the accuracy, implementation, and reliability for outcomes, as images derived from an optical televiewer constitute in situ data. In this study, we designed and constructed a modular fractured borehole model having similar conditions to a borehole environment to report unprecedented results regarding reliable data acquisition and processing. We investigate sonde magnetometer accuracy, color realization, and fracture resolution, and suggest data processing methods to obtain accurate aperture measurements. The experiment involving the fractured borehole model should enhance not only measurement quality but also interpretations of high-resolution and reliable optical imaging logs.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 2010

In order to investigate the tendency of general displacements and behaviors with respect to each construction process as well as the applicability of numerical analysis schemes, this research has focused on not only analyzing a variety of field observations made in a NATM tunnel, such as displacement of top and side, stress of shotcrete and axial strength of rock bolt, but also carrying out a series of numerical analyses. It was established from the investigation that the 2-dimensional continuum numerical analysis was the one which could more accurately predict displacement of crown and side in the area of one step excavation (patten, P1-P3), while the 2-dimensional discontinuum analysis was the most suitable scheme to study that of two step excavation (patten, P4-P6). In addition, the 2-dimensional continuum analysis enabled to appropriately predict the axial strength of rock bolt and stress of shotcrete in all the area of the tunnel. Finally, it has been possible to conclude from the study that the 3-dimensional continuum analysis should be applied to inspect the behavior and tendency with respect to each stage of the construction as well as in the case of joints, such as large turnouts where relaxation loads in both of horizontal and vertical direction are piled up.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.16 no.1 s.60
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• pp.58-72
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• 2006

In recent years, not only the occurrences but the magnitude of earthquakes in Korea are on an increasing trend and other sources of dynamic events including large-scale construction, operation of hi띤-speed railway and explosives blasting have been increasing. Besides, the probability of exposure fir rock joints to free faces gets higher as the scale of rock mass structures becomes larger. For that reason, the frictional behavior of rock joints under dynamic conditions needs to be investigated. In this study, a shaking table test system was set up and a series of dynamic test was carried out to examine the dynamic frictional behavior of rock joints. In addition, a computer program was developed, which calculated the acceleration and deformation of the sliding block theoretically based on Newmark sliding block procedure. The static friction angle was back-calculated by measuring yield acceleration at the onset of slide. The dynamic friction angle was estimated by closely approximating the experimental results to the program-simulated responses. As a result of dynamic testing, the static friction angle at the onset of slide as well as the dynamic friction angle during sliding were estimated to be significantly lower than tilt angle. The difference between the tilt angle and the static friction angle was $4.5\~8.2^{\circ}$ and the difference between the tilt angle and the dynamic friction angle was $2.0\~7.5^{\circ}$. The decreasing trend was influenced by the magnitude of the base acceleration and inclination angle. A DEM program was used to simulate the shaking table test and the result well simulated the experimental behavior. Friction angles obtained by shaking table test were significantly lower than basic friction angle by direct shear test.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.442-456
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• 2018

Scaled model tests were performed to evaluate the reinforcement effect of rock bolts in anisotropic rock mass. For this purpose, two tunnel cases were experimented which had different tunnel sizes, rock strengths, anisotropic angles and coefficients of lateral pressure. The fully grouted rock bolts of the D25 deformed bar were modeled as the basting pins with bead and were systematically installed at the roof and the side wall of the model tunnel. As results of the first case experimentations, the unsupported model showed initial crack at the roof of tunnel, but the supported model with rock bolts showed initial crack at the floor of tunnel where rock bolts were not installed. The crack initiating pressure and the maximum pressure of the supported model with rock bolts were 11% and 7% larger than those of the unsupported model, respectively. Moreover, the effect of the existing discontinuities in anisotropic rock mass on the fracture behavior of tunnel was reduced in the supported model, and so the reinforcement effect of rock bolt turned out to be experimentally verified. As results of the second case experimentations considering different support patterns, the crack initiating pressures of models were larger and the reduction ratios of tunnel area according to applied load were smaller as the length and the quantity of rock bolts were larger. Therefore, it was found that the performance of the rock bolts turned out to be improved as they were larger.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.389-410
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• 2007

For moderately jointed to massive rock masses, the failure and deformation behaviors around an excavated opening are absolutely influenced by the initial rock stress and strength of in-situ rock mass. The localized and progressive brittle failure around an opening does not mean whole collapse of an excavated opening. But, for many cases, it may induce temporary stopping of excavation works and reexamination of the current supporting system, which can result in delay of the entire construction works and additional construction cost. In this paper, the characteristics of the brittle failure around an opening with stress level and tunnel shape was studied by the biaxial compressive test using scaled specimen and by the numerical simulation with $PFC^{2D}$. The biaxial test results were well coincided with the stress induced failure patterns around the excavated openings observed and monitored in the in-situ condition. For the circular part of the opening wall, the stress induced cracks initially occurred at the wall surface in the direction of the minimum principal stress and contributed to the localized notch shaped failure region having a certain range of angle. But for the corner and straight part of the opening wall, the cracks initiated at sharp corners were connected and coalesced each other and with existing micro cracks. Further they resulted in a big notch shaped failure region connecting two sharp corners.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.763-771
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• 2008

Uncertainties are pervasive in engineering geological problems. Therefore, the presence of uncertainties and their significance in analysis and design of slopes have been recognized. Since the uncertainties cannot be taken into account by the conventional deterministic approaches in slope stability analysis, the probabilistic analysis has been considered as the primary tool for representing uncertainties in mathematical models. However, some uncertainties are caused by incomplete information due to lack of information, and those uncertainties cannot be handled appropriately by the probabilistic approach. For those uncertainties, the theory of fuzzy sets is more appropriate. Therefore, in this study, fuzzy reliability analysis has been proposed in order to deal with the uncertainties which cannot be quantified in the probabilistic analysis due to the limited information. For the practical example, a slope is selected in this study and both the probabilistic analysis and the fuzzy reliability analysis have been carried out for planar failure. In the fuzzy reliability analysis, the dip angle and internal friction angle of discontinuity are considered as triangular fuzzy numbers since the random properties of the variables cannot be obtained completely under the conditions of limited information. In the study, the fuzzy reliability index and the probabilities of failure are evaluated from fuzzy arithmetic and compared to those from the probabilistic approach using Monte Carlo simulation and point estimate method. The analysis results show that the fuzzy reliability analysis is more appropriate for the condition that the uncertainties arise due to incomplete information.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.121-132
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• 2010

The Bukjiri Maaeyeoraejwasang (National Treasure No. 201) consists of two-mica granite in medium size, which was the simbol of power in the region of the Silla period. Magnetic susceptibility of the host rock was measured as 0.41(${\times}10^{-3}$ SI unit), which has the similar range with surrounding outcrop. The Buddha developed parallel discontinuous plane of NE to SW strike and damaged seriously by exfoliation, granular disintegration and brown discoloration as 41.5%, 16.7% and 40.0%, respectively. As a result of the ultrasonic velocity, which was relatively weak values as 1,629m/s (Buddha area) and 1,549m/s (surrounding outcrop), improved about 900m/s compared to last treatment. From the results of the evaluation for slope stability, identified the possibility of toppling failure in the Buddha, and planar and wedge failure in host rock. Therefore, we suggest for the safely conservation of the Buddha, continuance monitoring for understand behavior of discontinuity system of the surface, and necessitate foundation reinforcement method for the rock which has the danger of collapse.