• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.61-71
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• 2017

The effects of joint density and size distribution on the hydrogeologic characteristics of jointed rock masses are addressed through numerical experiments based on the 2-D DFN (discrete fracture network) fluid flow analysis. Using two joint sets, a total of 51 2-D joint network system were generated with various joint density and size distribution. Twelve fluid flow directions were chosen every $30^{\circ}$ starting at $0^{\circ}$, and total of 612 $20m{\times}20m$ DFN blocks were prepared to calculate the directional block conductivity. Also, the theoretical block conductivity, principal conductivity tensor and average block conductivity for each generated joint network system were determined. The directional block conductivity and chance for the equivalent continuum behavior of the 2-D DFN system were found to increase with the increase of joint density or size distribution. However, the anisotropy of block hydraulic conductivity increases with the increase of density discrepancy between the joint sets, and the chance for the equivalent continuum behavior were found to decrease. The smaller the intersection angle of the two joint sets, the more the equivalent continuum behavior were affected by the change of joint density and size distribution. Even though the intersection angle is small enough that it is difficult to have equivalent continuum behavior, the chance for anisotropic equivalent continuum behavior increases as joint density or size distribution increases.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.141-152
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• 2001

The waterway tunnel zone (length 1,484m) in the Hyeonseo-myeon area that is a part of Yeongcheon dam waterway tunnel has been studied to characterize the relationship between groundwater inflow into the waterway tunnel and hydrogeologic characteristics. The effects of sandstone thickness in the tunnel section. fracture density, fracture aperture and spacing, fault zone width and hydraulic conductivity on the early inflow (inflow prior to the lining and grouting) are investigated. The relationship between fracture density and hydraulic conductivity is also considered. The result of the study suggests that fault zone width has the greatest effect on groundwater inflow into the tunnel, and sandstone thickness, hydraulic conductivity and fracture density in order shows an influence on the inflow.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.271-285
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• 2020

In this study, a numerical experiment related to the stress-strain analysis was performed on 3-D discrete fracture network(DFN) systems based on the distinct element method to evaluate the effect of joint geometry on deformability of jointed rock masses. Using one or two joint sets with deterministic orientation, a total of 12 3-D DFN blocks having 10m cube domain were generated with different joint density and size distribution. Directional deformation modulus of the DFN cube blocks were estimated along the axis directions of 3-D cartesian coordinate. In addition, deviatoric stress directions were chosen at every 30° of trend and plunge in 3-D for some DFN blocks to examine the variability of directional deformation modulus with respect to joint geometry. The directional deformation modulus of the DFN block were found to reduce with the increase of joint size distribution. The increase in joint density was less likely to have a significant effect on directional deformation modulus of the DFN block in case of the effect of rock bridges was relatively large because of short joint size distribution. It, however, was evaluated that the longer the joint size, the increase in the joint density had a more significant effect on the anisotropic deformation modulus of the DFN block. The variation of the anisotropic deformation modulus according to the variations in joint density and size distribution was highly dependent on the number of joint sets and their orientation in the DFN block. Finally, this study addressed a numerical procedure for stress-strain analysis of jointed rock masses considering joint geometry and discussed a methodology for practical application at the field scale.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.17 no.2 s.67
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• pp.102-108
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• 2007

Generally, the method used most widely for rock mass classification is considering the rock strength and development of joint frequency. However, if rock bed has micro-crack and long joint, this method is not rational. Therefore, the difficulties of excavation in the rock bed with complicated geological condition are decided by combining joint frequency. indoor tests (uniaxiall compressive strength, point load test, indoor elastic wave velocity, etc.) and field seismic refraction survey, and the rock mass classification should be implemented by considering their interrelationship.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2009

Joints are planar tensile opening-mode fractures whose relative motion, as the fracture propagates, is perpendicular to bedding plane and occur in a systematic manner to form a joint set. This paper discusses the mechanical control of joint propagation, the relationship between join spacing and layer thickness, the join saturation, the frequency distribution of join spacing, the joint density, the cross joint, and the development mechanism of joint from a lot of recent joint studies in sedimentary rocks.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.81-90
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• 2019

In this study, the effects of fracture tensor component and first invariant on block hydraulic behaviors are evaluated in the 2-D DFN(discrete fracture network) systems. A series of regression analysis is performed between connected fracture tensor components and block hydraulic conductivities estimated at every $30^{\circ}$ hydraulic gradient directions for a total of 36 DFN systems having various joint density and size distribution. The directional block hydraulic conductivity seems to have strong relation with the fracture tensor component estimated in direction perpendicular to it. It is found that an equivalent continuum approach could be acceptable for the 2-D DFN systems under condition that the first invariant of fracture tensor is more than 2.0~2.5. The first invariant of fracture tensor seems highly correlated with average block hydraulic conductivity and can be used to evaluate hydraulic characteristics of the 2-D DFN systems. Also, a possibility of upscaling using the first invariant of fracture tensor for the DFN system is addressed through this study.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.2 s.55
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• pp.137-144
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• 2005

An estimation technique of the joint diameter distribution using the least square method is suggested. When utilizing the technique by Song and Lee, the diameter distribution would be obtained only from the trace length distribution defined in an infinite window after the trace length distribution is estimated from the contained trace length distribution. With the new technique, however, the diameter distribution can be directly obtained from the sample histogram of the contained trace lengths. Compared with the previous technique, it shows a more accurate result for small sizes of joint samples and provides the joint geometry parameter of volumetric frequency. Verification of this new technique was completed by using Monte Carlo simulations.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2010

This study focuses on the phenomenon that the blast damaged zone developed on rock slope surfaces can be affected by joint characteristics rather than by explosive power when the pre-splitting is applied to excavate a jointed rock slope. The characteristics of rock joints on a slope were investigated and categorized them into 4 cases. Also an image processing system has been used for comparing the distribution pattern of rock blocks. From this investigation, it was found that the rock blocks bigger than 2,000 mm occupied 42% in the case of single joint set and it showed the well efficiency of pre-splitting blast. In cases of 2~3 parallel joint sets and 2~3 intersecting joint sets are developed on rock surfaces, the rock blocks in the range of 1,000~2,000 mm occupied 43.6% and 35.8%, respectively, and it showed that the efficiency of pre-splitting was decreased. When more than 3 joint sets are randomly developed, however, the rock blocks in the range of 250~500 mm occupied 35% and there was no block bigger than 1,000 mm. This denotes that the blasting with pre-splitting was not effective. The numerical analysis using PFC2D showed that the blast damaged zone in a rock mass could be directly influenced by the pre-splitting. It is, therefore, required to investigate the discontinuity pattern on rock surfaces in advance, when the pre-splitting method is applied to excavate jointed rock slopes and to apply a flexible blating design with a consideration of the joint characteristics.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.425-436
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• 2010

We established a stochastic 3-D fracture network system for fractured rock masses located in Il-Gwang Mine, Busan, to explore the relationship between the acidity of mine drainage and fracture geometry. A field scanline survey and borehole image processing were performed to estimate the best probability distributions of fracture geometry parameters. The stochastic 3-D fracture network system constructed for the rock masses was validated and deemed to be successful. The 3-D fracture network model was suitable for developing conceptual ideas on fluid flow in fractures at a field experimental site. An injection well and three observation wells were drilled at the field experimental site to monitor the acidity of mine drainage induced by the injection of fresh water. The field experiment, which was run for 29 days, yielded a significant relationship (with a high coefficient of determination) between the fracture geometry parameters and the acidity of mine drainage. The results show that pH increased with increasing relative frequency of fracture strike, and decreased with increasing fracture density. The concentration of $SO^{2-}_4$ decreased with increasing relative frequency of fracture strike, and increased with increasing fracture density.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.332-345
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• 2016

The columnar joints in Goheung are developed in three places of Yuju-san area, Palyeong-san and Yongbawi area. Vertical and fan-shaped columnar joints which have maximum width 100 m and maximum heigh 50 m are developed in the Yuju-san area Columnar joints are developed next to the road near the the Yuju-san and along the coast of Jijuk-do. Thick columnar joints of maximum width 1m are developed in the Paryeong-san area. Horizontal columnar joints of maximum width 50 cm at length of polygon side are developed on dyke in the Yongbawi area. The columnar joints show high rate of rectangles and pentagons in the number of polygons. The length of polygon side of columnar joints in study area ranges from 10 to 100 cm, and 20 cm among the range appears in high frequency. Columnar joints are developed vertically to the ground from the cooling surface in Yuju-san and Palyeong-san area. Columnar joints in Yongbawi area are developed vertically to the contact of country rocks. As a result, the columnar joints began cooling from the country rock contact. And columnar joints are developed vertically to contact surface. The rocks in columnar joints is rhyolitic welded tuff in Yuju-san and Palyeong-san area, dacite in Yongbawi area. In the acid volcanic rocks flow structure well developed. The white phenocryst mineral about 2 mm size by eye, is usually feldspar, and includes some quartz. The rate of $SiO_2$ is 70wt.% or more. It is the last stage of differentiation to calc-alkaline series. The columnar joints of the Yuju-san area are expected to be distributed along a band that extends to about 1km east of the stone pit.