• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2003

Previous analytical models for key blocks have been based on the assumption of infinite persistent discontinuities. In this paper, a key block analysis method considering the finite persistence of discontinuities is proposed as a stability evaluation method in tunnel constructions, and then applied to an actual example site. Three-dimensional rock block identification with consideration of the persistence of discontinuities is performed by using discontinuity disk model. The removability and stability analyses of rock blocks formed by the identification method are performed. The identification method can handle convex and concave shape blocks. In order to demonstrate the applicability of this developed numerical method to the stability evaluation in tunnel constructions, the analytical results are examined and compared one another.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2010

Toppling failure of a slope is defined as failure behavior accompanying the rotation of rock block which is different from other failure such as sliding along with discontinuities and so on. It generally occurs in the region that discontinuities were developed with inverse dip direction to a slope and it could play a critical role in judging stability of slope. In this study, the stability evaluation was performed about toppling failure on a jointed road cut-slope. To check the deformation behavior, numerical analysis is widely used. However common analysis programs are based on continuum model. Recently, many methods that discontinuity properties can be considered in continuum analysis are suggested. In this study, numerical analysis based on FEM(Finite Element Method) was performed using interface element applied in heterogeneous boundary to simulate effects of discontinuities.

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.117-124
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• 1991

In order to predict properly the effects of ground motion associated with earthquakes on underground radioactive waste disposal facilities, an understanding of the structural behavior of an underground opening in discontinuous rock masses subjected to dynamic loadings is essential. This paper includes literature review on computational models for discontinuous rock masses and on mathematical models for the structural analysis of underground opening. Then, structural analyses of underground openings using the distinct element computer program written for the static and dynamic analysis of discontinuous rock masses have been performed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.52-63
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• 2003

Discontinuities such as faults, fractures and joints in rock mass play the dominant role in the mechanical and hydraulic properties of the rock mass. The key factors that influence on the flow of groundwater are hydraulic and geometric characteristics of discontinuities and their connectivity. In this study, a program that analyzes groundwater flow in the 3D discontinuity network was developed on the assumption that the discontinuity characteristics such as density, trace length, orientation and aperture have particular distribution functions. This program generates discontinuities in a three-dimensional space and analyzes their connectivity and groundwater flow. Due to the limited computing capacity In this study, REV was not exactly determined, but it was inferred to be greater than 25$\times$25$\times$25 ㎥. By calculating the extent of aperture that influences on the groundwater flow, it was found that the discontinuities with the aperture smaller than 30% of the mean aperture had little influence on the groundwater flow. In addition, there was little difference in the equivalent hydraulic conductivity for the the two cases when considering and not considering the boundary effect. It was because the groundwater flow was mostly influenced by the discontinuities with large aperture. Among the parameters considered in this study, the length, aperture, and orientation of discontinuities had the greatest influence on the equivalent hydraulic conductivity of rock mass in their order. In case of existence of a fault in rock mass, elements of the equivalent hydraulic conductivity tensor parallel to the fault fairly increased in their magnitude but those perpendicular to the fault were increased in a very small amount at the first stage and then converged.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.4 s.173
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• pp.369-380
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• 2005

This study describes image-based approach for efficient and objective evaluation method of the rock slope stability. Three-dimensional rock slope model was reconstructed by processing stereo digital images. The model provided fundamental information for geospatial analysis of the rock slope. Methods to extract three-dimensional information about discontinuity on the rock slope and to estimate roughness of the rock surfaces were suggested. The results show that stereo digital images have potential to provide information for both quantitative and qualitative analysis of rock slope. In addition, visualization of the results increases efficiency and benefit in evaluating rock slope stability.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.535-544
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• 2007

Discontinuities developed in a sedimentary rock mass are the most important factor to determine mechanical properties of the rock mass. Parameters described discontinuities in rock mass generally connote heterogeneity and uncertainty. In this study, probabilistic statistics method was used to determine parameters of discontinuities quantitatively and objectively. The field survey was conducted at 33 sedimentary rock slopes in Ulsan area, according to the suggested methods for the quantitative description of discontinuities in rock mass(ISRM, 1978). The engineering geological characteristics of the sedimentary rocks at Ulsan area was determined as probability distribution function deduced by analyzing parameters of discontinuities.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.3-16
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• 1999

This paper presents the results of sensitivity analysis based on an example study to verify a newly developed reliability-based model for rock slopes considering uncertainties of discontinuities and failure modes-plane, wedge, and toppling. The parameters that are needed for sensitivity analysis are the variability of discontinuity properties (orientation and strength of discontinuities), the loading conditions, and the rock slope geometry. The variability in orientation and friction angle of discontinuities, which can not be considered in the deterministic analysis, has a great influence on the rock slope stability, The stability of rock slopes including failure modes is more influenced by the selection of dip direction of cutting rock face than any other design variables, The example study shows that the developed reliability-based analysis model can reasonably assess the stability of rock slope.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 2017

Behavior of rock mass depend on the mechanical properties of intact rock and geometrical property of discontinuity distributed in rock mass. In case of rock slope, particularly, location of slope failure surface and behavior after failure are changed due to discontinuities. In this study, two 3D slope stability analysis methods were developed for two different failure types which are circular failure and planar failure, considering that failure type of rock slope is dependent on scale of discontinuity which was then applied to real rock slope to review the applicability. In case of circular failure, stable condition was maintained in natural dry condition, which however became unstable when the moisture content of the surface was increased by rainfall. In case of planar failure, rock slope become more unstable comparing to dry condition which is attributable to decrease in friction angle of discontinuity surface due to rainfall. Viewing analysis result above, analysis method proved to have well incorporated the phenomenon occurred on real slope from the analysis result, demonstrating its applicability to reviewing the slope stability as well as to maintaining the slope.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2003.06b
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• pp.51-64
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• 2003

Bieniawski에 의해 개발된 RMR은 암석강도 및 불연속면, 지하수 등의 6개 인자에 따라 분류되어, 이들을 합산하여 결정된다. RMR 분류법은 각 요소들에 대한 평가가 비교적 쉽고, 다양한 응용을 거쳐 여러 분야에 적용되어 국내에서도 가장 널리 사용하고 있는 암반분류 방법 중의 하나이다. RMR 분류결과는 터널의 유지시간, 최대 무지보폭의 예측, 지보량 산정, 암반의 물리적 특성값 예측 등에 적용될 수 있다. 또한 RMR 분류법을 사면안정, 댐 기초, 심부 광산 등에 적용하거나, RMR 분류법의 미비한 부분을 보완하기 위한 여러 가지 수정방법이 제시되었다.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.258-261
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• 2002