• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.5-12
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• 2009

As rock bolts become one of the main support systems in tunnels and underground structures, the integrity of the rock bolts affects the safety of these structures. The purpose of this study is the evaluation of rock bolt integrity using wavelet transforms of the guided ultrasonic waves by using transmission test in the field. After several rock bolts with various defect ratios are embedded into a large scale concrete block and rock mass, guided waves are generated by a piezo disk element and measured by an acoustic emission (AE) sensor. The captured signals are analyzed in the time-frequency domain using the wavelet transform based on a Gabor wavelet. Peak values in the time-frequency domain represent the interval of travel time of each echo. The energy velocities of the guided waves increase with an increase in the defect ratio. The suitable curing time for the evergy velocity analysis is proposed by the laboratory test, and in-situ tests are performed in two tunnelling sites to verify the applicability of rock bolt integrity tests performed after proposed curing time. This study proves that time-frequency domain analysis is an effective tool for the evaluation of the rock bolt integrity.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.197-208
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• 2022

The existence of shallow bedrock and the desire to use underground space necessitate the use of blasting methods. The standard blasting method under water after drilling is associated with certain technical difficulties, including reduced detonation power, the use of a fixed charge per delay, and decoupling. However, there is no blasting method to replace the existing blasting method. In this paper, a dry hole charged with ANFO blasting is assessed while employing a dry hole pumping system to remove water from the drill borehole. Additional standard blasting is also utilized to compare the blasting performances of the two methods. The least-squares linear regression method is adopted to analyze the blasting vibration velocity quantitatively using the measured vibration velocity for each blasting method and the vibration velocity model as a function of the scaled distance. The results show that the dry hole charged with ANFO blasting will lead to greater damping of the blasting vibration, more energy dissipation to crush the surrounding rock, and closer distances for the allowable velocity of the blasting vibration. Also, standard blasting shows much longer influencing distances and a wider range of the blasting pattern. The pilot test confirms the blasting efficiency of dry hole charged with ANFO blasting.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.59-72
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• 2022

This study employed a 3-D numerical analysis based on the distinct element method to estimate the strength and deformability of a Cretaceous biotite granitic rock mass at Gijang, Busan, Korea. A workflow was proposed to evaluate the scale effect and the representative elementary volume (REV) of mechanical properties for fractured rock masses. Directional strength and deformability parameters such as block strength, deformation modulus, shear modulus, and bulk modulus were estimated for a discrete fracture network (DFN) in a cubic block the size of the REV. The size of the mechanical REV for fractured rock masses in the study area was determined to be a 15 m cube. The mean block strength and mean deformation modulus of the DFN cube block were found to be 52.8% and 57.7% of the intact rock's strength and Young's modulus, respectively. A constitutive model was derived for the study area that describes the linear-elastic and orthotropic mechanical behavior of the rock mass. The model is expected to help evaluate the stability of tunnels and underground spaces through equivalent continuum analysis.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.150-168
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• 2023

The anisotropic behavior of rocks is primarily attributed to the directional arrangement of rock-forming minerals and the distribution characteristics of microcracks. Notably, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks often exhibit distinct transverse isotropy in terms of their strength and deformation characteristics. Consequently, it is crucial to gain accurate insights into the deformation and failure characteristics of transversely isotropic rocks during rock mechanics design processes. The deformation of such rocks is described by five independent elastic constants, which are determined through laboratory testing. In this study, the characteristics of the directional variation of apparent elastic constants in transversely isotropic rocks were investigated using experimental data reported in the literature. To achieve this, the constitutive equation proposed by Mehrabadi & Cowin was introduced to calculate the apparent elastic constants more efficiently and systematically in a rotated Cartesian coordinate system. Four transversely isotropic rock types from the literature were selected, and the influence of changes in the orientation of the weak plane on the variations of the apparent elastic modulus, apparent shear modulus, and apparent Poisson's ratio was analyzed. Based on the investigation, a new constraint on the elastic constants has been proposed. If the proposed constraint is satisfied, the directional variation of the apparent elastic constants in transversely isotropic rocks aligns with intuitive predictions of their tendencies.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.189-207
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• 2023

In the present study, the thermoshearing experiment on a rough rock fracture were modeled using a three-dimensional grain-based distinct element model (GBDEM). The experiment was conducted by the Korea Institute of Construction Technology to investigate the progressive shear failure of fracture under the influence of thermal stress in a critical stress state. The numerical model employs an assembly of multiple polyhedral grains and their interfaces to represent the rock sample, and calculates the coupled thermo-mechanical behavior of the grains (blocks) and the interfaces (contacts) using 3DEC, a DEM code. The primary focus was on simulating the temperature evolution, generation of thermal stress, and shear and normal displacements of the fracture. Two fracture models, namely the mated fracture model and the unmated fracture model, were constructed based on the degree of surface matedness, and their respective behaviors were compared and analyzed. By leveraging the advantage of the DEM, the contact area between the fracture surfaces was continuously monitored during the simulation, enabling an examination of its influence on shear behavior. The numerical results demonstrated distinct differences depending on the degree of the surface matedness at the initial stage. In the mated fracture model, where the surfaces were in almost full contact, the characteristic stages of peak stress and residual stress commonly observed in shear behavior of natural rock joints were reasonably replicated, despite exhibiting discrepancies with the experimental results. The analysis of contact area variation over time confirmed that our numerical model effectively simulated the abrupt normal dilation and shear slip, stress softening phenomenon, and transition to the residual state that occur during the peak stress stage. The unmated fracture model, which closely resembled the experimental specimen, showed qualitative agreement with the experimental observations, including heat transfer characteristics, the progressive shear failure process induced by heating, and the increase in thermal stress. However, there were some mismatches between the numerical and experimental results regarding the onset of fracture slip and the magnitudes of fracture stress and displacement. This research was conducted as part of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G, and we expect the numerical model to be enhanced through continued collaboration with other research teams and validated in further studies.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.307-322
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• 2023

Rock-mass grouting plays a crucial role in the construction of dams and deep caverns, effectively preventing seepage in the foundations, enhancing stability, and mitigating hazards. Most rock grouting is affected by hydrogeological and rock engineering indices such as rock quality designation (RQD), rock mass quality (Q-value), geological strength index (GSI), joint spacing (Js), joint aperture (Ap), lugeon value (Lu), secondary permeability index (SPI), and coefficient of permeability (K). Therefore, accurate geological analysis of basic rock properties and guidelines for grouting construction are essential for ensuring safe and effective grouting design and construction. Such analysis has been applied in dam construction sites, with a particular focus on the geological characteristics of bedrock and the development of prediction methods for grout take. In South Korea, many studies have focused on grout injection materials and construction management techniques. However, there is a notable lack of research on the analysis of hydrogeological and rock engineering information for rock masses, which are essential for the development of appropriate rock grouting plans. This paper reviews the current state of research into the correlation between the grout take with important hydrogeological and rock engineering indices. Based on these findings, future directions for the development of rock grouting research in South Korea are discussed.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.493-499
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• 2023

Recently, with the development of construction machinery, low-vibration construction machine such as Tricone-Bits, which can drill both soil and rock layers and minimize vibration, is being used frequently. However, although many studies have been conducted on the prediction of vibration values for earth augers and pile drivers, the reality is that studies on the effects of vibration on low-vibration drilling equipment are lacking. In this paper, ground vibration values for Tricone-Bits were measured, and a vibration distance damping formula was proposed using this. In addition, after predicting the vibration of the earth auger and pile driver using the previously proposed vibration distance damping formula, the degree of vibration damping for the Tricone-Bits was evaluated by comparing and analyzing it. As a result, the Tricone-Bits showed a vibration reduction effect of 97% and 93% compared to these machine and It will help with management and prediction of the ground vibration effects evaluation on the low-vibration equipment such as Tricone-Bits.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.2C
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• pp.133-142
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• 2006

Many methods have been tried to more correctly measure rock joint roughness. However, true roughness may be distorted and underestimated due to the sampling interval and measurement method. Thus, currently used measurement methods produce a dead zone and distort roughness profiles. The purpose of this study is to suggest new roughness measurement method by a camera-type 3D scanner as an alternative of currently used methods. First, the underestimation of artificial roughness is analyzed by using the current measurement method such as laser profilometry. Second, we replicate eight specimens from two rock joint surfaces, and digitize by a 3D scanner. Then, the roughness coefficient values obtained from eight numbers of 3D surface data and from three hundred twenty numbers of 2D profiles data are analyzed by using current and new measurement methods. The artificial simulation confirms that the sampling interval is one of main factors for the distortion of roughness and shows that inclination of waviness may not be considered any current methods. The experimental results show that the camera-type 3D scanner produces 10% larger roughness values than current methods. As the proposed new method is a fast, high precision and more accurate method for the roughness measurement, it should be a promising technique in this area.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.1C
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• pp.45-51
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• 2010

In urban area, design and construction of civil engineering structures such as subway tunnel, underground space and deep excavation is impeded by unreliable site investigation. Variety of embedded objects, electric noises and traffic vibrations degrades the quality of site investigation, whatever the site-investigation technique would be. In this research, a preliminary research was performed to develop a dedicated site investigation technique for urban geotechnical sites, which can overcome the limitations of urban sites. HiRAS (Hybrid Integration of Surface Waves and Resistivity) technique which is the first outcome of the preliminary research was proposed in this paper. The technique combines surface wave as well as electrical resistivity. CapSASW method for surface-wave technique and PDC-R technique for electrical resistivity survey were incorporated to develop HiRAS technique. CapSASW method is a good method for evaluating material stiffness and PDC-R technique is a reliable method for determination of underground stratification even in a site with electrical noise. For the inversion analysis of HiRAS techniuqe, a site-specific relationship between stress-wave velocity and resistivity was employed. As for outgrowth of this research, the 2-D distribution of Poisson's ratio could be also determined.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.1C
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• pp.37-44
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• 2010

Recently, urban retrofit and extension, development of new buildings and facilities, and construction of underground structures like subway tunnels in urban areas give rise to significance of site investigation at urban areas. However, ambient electric noises, traffic vibrations, embedded objects work as obstacles to high-quality and accuracy in site investigation at urban areas. In this paper, a new technique called the pseudo-DC resistivity survey (in brief, PDC-R) was proposed to minimize the adverse effect of ambient electrical noises in resistivity survey. PDC-R technique utilizes an AC current with frequency range of 0.1 to 1.0 Hz rather than DC current, which is used for conventional resistivity survey. The motivation of using low-frequency AC current is to avoid 60-Hz components or its multiples in the resistivity survey which ambient noises are mostly composed of. The implementation of PDC-R technique also included the parametric study on skin effect, frequency effect and current-level effect, which led to the determination of optimal values of frequency and current level for PDC-R survey. The reliability and feasibility of PDC-R technique was verified through field tests, accompanied by the comparison with DC resistivity survey and CapSASW tests.