• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.220-228
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• 2002

Thermal flow through jointed rock mass was analyzed by numerical methods. The effect of a single set of joints on the heat conduction was analyzed by one-dimensional model and compared with the analytical solution. When a joint is completely dry, the joint behaves as a thermal break inducing jumps in temperature distribution even at steady state. Therefore when joints are completely dry, individual joint has to be taken into consideration to get a good result. When joints are partially or fully saturated, the thermal conductivity of the joints increases drastically and the jumps in temperature distribution become less severe. Therefore the effect of joint in heat conduction can be well absorbed by continuum anisotropic model whose thermal properties represent overall thermal properties of the intact part and the discontinuities. Since the effect of joints becomes less important as the degree of the saturation increases, the overall thermal response of the rock mass also becomes close to isotropic. Therefore it can be concluded that a great effort has to be made to obtain a precise in-situ thermal properties in order to get a good prediction of the thermal response of a jointed rock mass.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.373-388
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• 2003

The investigation on the rock discontinuity geometry has been usually undergone by direct measurement on the rock exposures. But this sort of field work has disadvantages, which we, for example, restriction of surveying areas and consuming excessive times and labors. To cover these kinds of disadvantages, image processing could be regarded as an altemative way, with additional advantages such as automatic and objective tools when used under adequate computerized algorithm. This study was focused on the recognition of the rock discontinuities captured in the image of rock exposure by digital camera and the production of the discontinuity map automatically. The whole process was written using macro commands builtin image analyzer, ImagePro Plus. ver 4.1(Media Cybernetic). The procedure of image processing developed in this research could be divided with three steps, which are enhancement, recognition and extraction of discontinuity traces from the digital image. Enhancement contains combining and applying several filters to remove and relieve various types of noises from the image of rock surface. For the next step, recognition of discontinuity traces was executed. It used local topographic features characterized by the differences of gray scales between discontinuity and rock. Such segments of discontinuity traces extracted from the image were reformulated using an algorithm of computer decision-making criteria and linked to form complete discontinuity traces. To verify the image processing algorithms and their sequences developed in this research, discontinuity traces digitally photographed on the rock slope were analyzed. The result showed about 75～80% of discontinuities could be detected. It is thought to be necessary that the algorithms and computer codes developed in this research need to be advanced further especially in combining digital filters to produce images to be more acceptable for extraction of discontinuity traces and setting seed pixels automatically when linking trace segments to make a complete discontinuity trace.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.221-230
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• 2011

The movement of rock cut slopes may result in upheaval of an adjacent road. Because most cut slopes consist of rock, road upheaval due to the movement of a cut slope is a rare phenomenon in Korea. We found that the movement of rock slopes which are heavily weathered and with strongly developed weak zones is governed by circular failure of the overall rock formation rather than by failure along discontinuities. The results of a numerical analysis revealed that the application of a ubiquitous joint model in a continuum analysis is appropriate for anisotropic rocks (e.g., schist) and for slopes for which the stability is influenced by a particular discontinuity. The results of a field investigation and numerical analyses suggest that retaining walls and anchors should be used to stabilize rock slopes and that real-time monitoring equipment should be installed to assess the reinforcing effect of the remedial measures.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.359-372
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• 2015

Rock masses include various rock discontinuities such as faults, joints, and bedding planes. These discontinuities appear as complex structures in geometry. In this study, growth patterns of fractures between two stepping shear fracture tips are numerically modeled using PFC2D (Particle Flow Code). The numerical model showed not only incipient growth of fractures at the tips of preexisting fractures but also subsequent growth of the new fractures. It is observed from all of the experiments that the incipient fractures are tensile cracks developed at $30{\sim}57^{\circ}$ to the preexisting fractures and the subsequent growth of these fractures were at low angles to the preexisting fractures this study.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.555-566
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• 2007

In general, RMR classification system is used for the support design of a tunnel. Face mapping during excavation and RMR-based rock classifications are conducted in order to provide information for complementary changes to preliminary survey plans and for continuous geological estimations in direction of tunnel route. Although they are ever so important, there are not enough time for survey in general and sometimes even face mapping is not available. Linear regression analysis for the estimation of mediating RQD and condition of discontinuities, which require longer time and more detailed observation in RMR, was performed and optimum regression equations are suggest as the result. The geological data collected from tunnels were analyzed in accordance with three rock types as sedimentary rock, phyllite and granite to see geological effects, generally not been considered in previous researches. Parameters for the regression analysis were set another RMR factor.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.205-214
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• 2001

A simple automated measuring method for planar or linear features on the rock excavation surface is presented. Attitude of the planar and linear feature is calculated from 3D coordinates of points on the structures. Spatial coordinates are calculated from overlapped stereo images. Factors used in the calculation are (1) local coordinates of the left and right images, (2) the focal length of cameras, and (3) the distance between two cameras. A simple image capturing device and an image treatment routine coded by Visual Basic and GIS components are constructed for the remote measurements, The methodology shows less than 1 cm error when a point is measured from 179 cm in distance. The methodology is tested at the excavation site in PaiChai University. Remotely measured result matches well with the manual measurement within the reasonable error range.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.3 s.56
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• pp.185-194
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• 2005

Recently, the surrounding rock mass is understood as the major support system for the tunnel constructed in the rock mass. Generally, the rock mass contains many discontinuity planes such as joints, and thus, the tunnel behavior in the rock mass is governed by the characteristics of the discontinuity planes. In this study, the behavior of tunnel in jointed rock mass is studied by model tests and numerical analyses. The results shows that the behavior of tunnel depends on the different initial stress conditions, in case that the tunnel is excavated in the ground without any joints. When a joint is located near the tunnel, the pound stress and displacement tend to increase between the tunnel and the joint.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2004

This paper is to introduce an article published in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2003. In this research, a fracture mechanics model is developed to illustrate the importance of time-dependence far brittle fractured rock. In particular a model is developed fer the time-dependent degradation of rock joint cohesion. Degradation of joint cohesion is modeled as the time-dependent breaking of intact patches or rock bridges along the joint surface. A fracture mechanics model is developed utilizing subcritical crack growth, which results in a closed-form solution for joint cohesion as a function of time. As an example, a rock block containing rock bridges subjected to plane sliding is analyzed. The cohesion is found to continually decrease, at first slowly and then more rapidly. At a particular value of time the cohesion reduces to value that results in slope instability. A second example is given where variations in some of the material parameters are assumed. A probabilistic slope analysis is conducted, and the probability of failure as a function of time is predicted. The probability of failure is found to increase with time, from an initial value of 5% to a value at 100 years of over 40%. These examples show the importance of being able to predict the time-dependent behavior of a rock mass containing discontinuities, even for relatively short-term rock structures.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.323-333
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• 2009

The Jincheonsagongnimaaeyeoraeipsang is a great stone relief Buddha in Goryeo Dynasty, transmitting sculptural styles of the Silla Kingdom. The Buddha was carved on the biotite granite basement, and was undergone cleaning treatment in 2007. The basement rock was opened in plenty cracks bringing out structural instability. And the top of the basement rock was colonized by trees obstructing sunshine and raising humidity. As a result of failure analysis, the basement rock of the Buddha had a major possibility of wedge failure in the parts of the face, hands and cloths. Therefore, the cracks were filled up with epoxy resin L-50, and titanium bars and wire ropes were applied to bind cracked rock blocks. The surface of the crack filler was colored by granite and talc powder with inorganic pigment and L-30. The crack meters were installed on the stone relief Buddha to monitor further behavior, lastly.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.226-241
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• 2020

The stability of underground mine cavity is closely related with pillar strength. The vulnerability of pillars can be judged and reinforced if the pillar strength is known. The pillar strength is affected by characteristics of discontinuities and shape of a pillar. The change of pillar strength due to a discontinuity passing through the center of a pillar, width-to-height ratio of a pillar and small joints existing within a pillar was analyzed using PFC 3D. The result showed that the pillar strength is influenced by dip angle of a discontinuity and it increases as width-to-height ratio of a pillar increases. The pillar strength decreases as the number of contained joints increases. The relationship between total trace length observable from the pillar surface and the pillar strength was regressed with exponential function. The correlation coefficient of the regression was high enough so that pillar strength can be predicted using total trace length if a joint set exists in a pillar. Lastly, the method to estimate the strength of a pillar that includes two joint sets was proposed if the joint dip angles are 60°, 30°. The method also need total trace lengths of two joint sets.