• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2010

For the elasto-plastic analysis of a circular tunnel driven in a strain-softening rock mass subjected to a hydrostatic in-situ stress condition, this study suggests a convenient elasto-plastic analysis scheme which takes the strain-softening of GSI index into account and demonstrates its potential as a numerical tool in designing a circular tunnel. The suggested numerical scheme was developed by modifying the previous elasto-plastic procedure proposed by Lee & Pietruszczak(2008). With the assumption that GSI index of rock mass adjacent to the tunnel surface may be degraded due to the damage caused by the blasting and excavation, the concept of the strain-softening of GSI index was invoked. The concept provides a useful tool considering the strain-softening of the strength parameters appearing in the generalized Hoek-Brown criterion because these parameters can be evaluated empirically by use of GSI. In order to check the validity of the proposed scheme, the elasto-plastic analyses for circular tunnels were performed in various analysis conditions and the results were discussed.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.189-198
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• 2009

Recently the concern about the construction of underground structures such as oil and food storage caverns is increasing in Korea and abroad. The stability of those underground caverns is greatly influenced by shape factor and the size of excavation area as well as the joint conditions. In this study, therefore, the effect of the shape factor of an underground cavern on its stability was analyzed in terms of safety factor. To this end, four different shape factors of a cavern excavated in good rock conditions were investigated and sensitivity analyses were performed based on overburden, lateral earth pressure coefficient, joint spacing, properties, and orientation. The stability of a cavern is evaluated in terms of safety factor estimated numerically based on the shear strength reduction technique. In future, this study is expected to be helpful in designing and evaluating the stability of caverns excavated in discontinuous rock masses.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.13-26
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• 2012

The deformation modulus of rock masses is a very important design factor for the computation of stability of tunnels and their support systems. Several empirical formulas to estimate the deformation modulus using simple rock classification methods such as RQD or RMR are widely used because field tests to evaluate the deformation modulus are very expensive and time consuming work. However, these formulas can be depended on experiences from the characteristics of local sites in each country. So it is possible that there might be limitations to estimate appropriate deformation modulus in South Korea using the empirical formulas. Therefore, in this study, the applicability of empirical formulas was analyzed by comparing estimated value with the measured value from eight sites in South Korea. The results show that the estimated value based on the empirical formulas partially have tendency to overestimate. Especially, in case of sedimentary rocks, it was too difficult to apply to the empirical formulas because there was no relation ship between estimated value and measured value. For these reasons, additional data from many tests and accurate analyses are necessary to evaluate the estimation method for the deformation modulus considering the local characteristics of rock masses.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2022

The mechanical and thermal properties of the rock masses can affect the performance associated with both the isolating and retarding capacities of radioactive materials within the deep geological disposal system for High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLW). In this study, the essential parameters for the site descriptive model (SDM) related to the rock mechanics and thermal properties of the HLW disposal facilities site were reviewed, and the technical background was explored through the cases of the preceding site descriptive models developed by SKB (Swedish Nuclear and Fuel Management Company), Sweden and Posiva, Finland. SKB and Posiva studied parameters essential for the investigation and evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties, and derived a rock mechanics site descriptive model for safety evaluation and construction of the HLW disposal facilities. The rock mechanics SDM includes the results obtained from investigation and evaluation of the strength and deformability of intact rocks, fractures, and fractured rock masses, as well as the geometry of large-scaled deformation zones, the small-scaled fracture network system, thermal properties of rocks, and the in situ stress distribution of the disposal site. In addition, the site descriptive model should provide the sensitivity analysis results for the input parameters, and present the results obtained from evaluation of uncertainty.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.215-224
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• 2003

Weathering in nature was simulated by freeze-thaw cyclic test which represents mechanical weathering. Measured physical properties were elastic wave velocities, absorption rate, volume change and weight change. Uniaxial compression tests were also conducted before and after the weathering tests. The change in weight and volume of the specimens were not clearly related to the weathering process, but P, S wave velocities, uniaxial compression strength and Young's modulus were clearly decreased as weathering progresses. Test result can be used for the assessment of long-term stability of rock slopes.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.41-53
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• 2014

This study examined the magnitude and distribution of the earth pressure on the support system in a jointed rock mass by considering different joint shear strength, rock type, and joint inclination angle. The study particularly focused on the effect of joint cohesive strength for a certain condition. Based on a physical model test (Son and Park, 2014), extended parametric studies were conducted considering rock-structure interactions based on the discrete element method, which can consider the rock and joint characteristics of rock mass. The results showed the earth pressure was strongly affected by the joint cohesive strength as well as the rock type and joint inclination angle. The study indicated that the effect of joint cohesive strength was particularly significant when a rock mass was under the condition of joint sliding. This paper investigates the magnitude of joint cohesive strength to prevent a joint sliding for each different condition. The test results were also compared with Peck's earth pressure, which has been frequently used for soil ground. The comparison indicated that the earth pressure in a jointed rock mass can be significantly different from that in soil ground. This study is expected to provide a better understanding of the earth pressure on the support system in a jointed rock mass.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.45-55
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• 2006

This paper presents the results of full-scale uplift load tests performed on 30 passive anchors grouted to various lengths at Taean site in Korea. Various rock types were tested, ranging from highly weathered to sound gneiss. Rock anchors were installed over a wide range of rock types and qualities with a fixed anchored depth of $1{\sim}4m$. The majority of installations used SD4O-D51 no high grade steel rebar to induce rock failure prior to rod failure. In many tests, rock failure was reached and the ultimate loads were recorded along with observations of the shape and extent of the failure surface. The test results, the failure mechanisms as well as uplift capacities of rock anchors depend mostly on rock type and quality, embedded fixed length, and the strength of rebar. Based on test results, the main parameters governing the uplift capacity of the rock anchor system were determined.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.219-238
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• 1999

In the present study, laboratory tests including the seepage-induced consolidation test, suction test, and desiccation shrinkage test are performed to investigate characteristics of the desiccation shrinkage in reclaimed hydraulic fills. Soil samples for laboratory tests are obtained from three sites (districts of Haenam, Kogeum and Koheung in Chunnam area). Desiccation shrinkage settlement caused by three dimensional volume change is numerically evaluated using finite difference technique based on the governing equation proposed by Abu-Hejleh & Znidarcic. Also characteristics of the desiccation shrinkage analyzed from the test results are used as input data for numerical evaluations. Further predicted total settlements including the self-weight consolidation settlement are compared with values measured at the site of Haenam district. Finally, effects of parameters related to the desiccation shrinkage on settlements are examined.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.16 no.6 s.65
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• pp.437-450
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• 2006

Failure around an underground opening is a function of in-situ stress magnitudes, intact rock strength and the distribution of fractures in the rock mass. At high in-situ stress, the failure process is affected and eventually dominated by stress-induced fractures preferentially growing parallel to the excavation boundary. This fracturing is often observed in brittle type of failure such as slabbing or spatting. Recent studies dies on the stress-induced damage of rock revealed its importance especially in a highly stressed regime. As the constructions of underground structures at deep depths increased, the cases of the brittle failure also increased and furthermore spalling was occurred in Korea at low depths. To improve the stability of the underground structures at highly stressed regime, the characteristics of brittle failure should be examined, but they have not yet been properly investigated. Therefore in this report the characteristics of brittle failure such as types, failure mechanism and modeling methods etc. were considered in all aspects, based on the previous researches.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.158-167
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• 1999

There are substantial difficulties in assessing the volume of soill/rock to be excavated and the cost thereof, which is attributable to the subjective and qualitative methods of rock mass classification prevailing at the moment. This paper intends to introduce more objective and quantitative rock mass classification method easily applicable to the excavation of granites in Muakjae, Seoul. As a result of such study it is proven that Schmidt hammer and point load strength tests are fairly reliable and easily applicable to estimate and quantify uniaxial compressive strength of granitic material in Seoul. In an efforts to confirm the granitic rock mass conditions in 12 meters underground, seismic refraction surveys were made on the top of vertical exposures from where underlying rock mass conditions could be directly inspected. Rock mass boundaries determined by seismic refraction methods were found to agree within a 1m variance with visible differences in rock mass conditions in the vertical exposure beneath the test site. Thus it can be concluded that detailed geotechnical mapping on cutting slopes is a most efficient, dependable and cost-effective technique in assessing likely excavation conditions of shallow granitic mass in Seoul.