• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2014

In the course of performing the stability analysis of rock structures, there are times when the strength of the Hoek-Brown rock mass needs to be understood in terms of the internal friction angle and cohesion. In this case, the original Hoek-Brown criteion, giving the relationship between ${\sigma}_1$ and ${\sigma}_3$ at failure, have to be transformed to the corresponding Mohr envelope. A new approach to derive the Mohr envelope of the Hoek-Brown criterion is suggested in this study. The new method is based on the Londe's transformation making the stress components dimensionless. The correctness of the derivation leading to the new ${\tau}-{\sigma}$ relationship is confirmed by comparing the calculation results with the Bray's solution through a verification example.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2020

In this study, a new analytical-numerical procedure is developed to give the stresses and strains around a circular tunnel in rock masses exhibiting different stress-strain behavior. The calculation starts from the tunnel wall and continues toward the unknown elastic-plastic boundary by a finite difference method in the annular discretized plastic zone. From the known stresses in the tunnel boundary, the strains are calculated using the elastic-plastic stiffness matrix in which three dimensional Hoek-Brown failure criterion (Jiang and Zhao 2015) and Mohr-Coulomb potential function with proper dilation angle (i.e., non-associated flow rule) are employed in terms of stress invariants. The illustrative examples give ground response curve and show correctness of the proposed approach. Finally, from the results of a great number of analyses, a simple relationship is presented to find out the closure of circular tunnel in terms of rock mass strength and tunnel depth. It can be valuable for the preliminary decision of tunnel support and for prediction of tunnel problems.

• 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.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.399-406
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• 2018

The present study focuses on the performance of basalt fiber reinforced concrete (BFRC) lining in tunnel situated in sandstone rock when subjected to internal blast loading. The blast analysis of the lined tunnel is carried out using the three-dimensional (3-D) nonlinear finite element (FE) method. The stress-strain response of the sandstone rock is simulated using a crushable plasticity model which can simulate the brittle behavior of rock and that of BFRC lining is analyzed using a damaged plasticity model for concrete capturing damage response. The strain rate dependent material properties of BFRC are collected from the literature and that of rock are taken from the authors' previous work using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The constitutive model performance is validated through the FE simulation of SHPB test and the comparison of simulation results with the experimental data. Further, blast loading in the tunnel is simulated for 10 kg and 50 kg Trinitrotoluene (TNT) charge weights using the equivalent pressure-time curves obtained through hydrocode simulations. The analysis results are studied for the stress and displacement response of rock and tunnel lining. Blast performance of BFRC lining is compared with that of plain concrete (PC) and steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) lining materials. It is observed that the BFRC lining exhibits almost 65% lesser displacement as compared to PC and 30% lesser displacement as compared to SFRC tunnel linings.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.399-409
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• 2016

The fracture propagation mechanism and fractured rock mass failure mechanism were important research in geotechnical engineering field. Many failures and instability in geotechnical engineering were related on fractures propagation, coalescence and interaction in rock mass under the external force. Most of the current research were limited to two-dimensional for the brittleness and transparency of three-dimensional fracture materials couldn't meet the requirements of the experiment. New materials with good transparent and brittleness were developed by authors. The making method of multi fracture specimens were established and made molds that could be reused. The tension-compression ratio of the material reached above 1/6 in normal temperature. Uniaxial and biaxial loading tests of single and double fracture specimens were carried out. Four new fractures were not found in the experiment of two-dimensional fractures such as the fin shaped crack, wrapping wing crack and petal crack and anti-wing crack. The relationship between stress and strain of the specimens were studied. The specimens with the load had experienced four stages of deformation and the process of the fracture propagation was clearly seen in each stage. The expansion characteristics of the fractured specimens were more obvious than the previous research.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.825-835
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• 2019

When the tunnel is designed, the ground is classified into several grades and the corresponding support system is applied according to the support pattern table. However, a simple pattern application based on rock grade does not take into account the longitudinal stress transitions occurring at rock grade boundaries. In this study, three-dimensional numerical analysis was performed to estimate the stress change in the longitudinal rock grade change of NATM tunnel, and the influence zone of load transfer was investigated using the influence line and trend line. As a result, the downward change of rock grade in the direction of tunnel excavation occurs in the range of 0.35~0.7D from low-strength rock to high-strength rock around the grade change boundary. It is necessary to apply a downward pattern of about 1.0D to the safety direction in consideration of the influence range of 0.35D to 0.7D.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 2010

In order to investigate the tendency of general displacements and behaviors with respect to each construction process as well as the applicability of numerical analysis schemes, this research has focused on not only analyzing a variety of field observations made in a NATM tunnel, such as displacement of top and side, stress of shotcrete and axial strength of rock bolt, but also carrying out a series of numerical analyses. It was established from the investigation that the 2-dimensional continuum numerical analysis was the one which could more accurately predict displacement of crown and side in the area of one step excavation (patten, P1-P3), while the 2-dimensional discontinuum analysis was the most suitable scheme to study that of two step excavation (patten, P4-P6). In addition, the 2-dimensional continuum analysis enabled to appropriately predict the axial strength of rock bolt and stress of shotcrete in all the area of the tunnel. Finally, it has been possible to conclude from the study that the 3-dimensional continuum analysis should be applied to inspect the behavior and tendency with respect to each stage of the construction as well as in the case of joints, such as large turnouts where relaxation loads in both of horizontal and vertical direction are piled up.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.26-35
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• 2019

In designing a gravity-type anchorage of earth-anchored suspension bridge, the contact friction between a blasted rock mass and the concrete anchorage plays a key role in the stability of the entire anchorage. Therefore, it is vital to understand the shear behavior of the interface between the blasted rock mass and concrete. In this study, a portable 3D LiDAR scanner was utilized to scan the blasted bottom surfaces, and rock surface roughness was quantitatively analyzed from the scanned profiles to apply to 3D FEM modelling. In addition, based on the 3D FEM model, a three-dimensional dynamic fracture process analysis (DFPA-3D) technique was applied to study on the shear behavior of the interface between blasted rock and concrete through direct shear tests, which was analyzed under constant normal load (CNL). The effects of normal stress and the joint roughness on shear failure behavior are also analyzed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.181-203
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• 1991

The effects of geologic structures such as rock joins and bedding planes on the thermal conductivity of a discontinuous rock mass are studied. The expressions for the equivalent thermal conductivities of jointed rock masses are derived and found to be anisotropic. The degree of anisotropy depends primarily on the thermal properties contrast between the joint phase and surrounding intact rock, the joint density expressed as volume fraction and the inclination angle of the joint. Within the context of 2-dimensional finite element heat transfer scheme, the isotherms around a circular hole are analyzed for both the isotropic and anisotropic rock masses in 3 different thermal boundary conditions. i.e. temperature, heat flux and convection boundary conditions. The temperature in the stratified anisotripic rock mass is greatly influenced by the thermal properties of the rock formation in contact with the heat source. Using the excavation-temperature coupled elastic plastic finite element method, analyzed is the thermo-mechanical stability of a circular opening subjected to 10$0^{\circ}C$ at a depth of 527m. It is found that the thermal stress concentration was enough to deteriorate the stability and form a plastic yield zone around the opening, in contrast to the safety factor greater than 2 resulted form the excavation-only analysis.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.179-188
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• 2002

This study is to understand the effect of the vibration and the stress changes due to the excavation of 2 arch parts of a tunnel, which is a Gyungbu Express Railway tunnel, on the tunnel itself and adjacent slopes in advance, and to analyze the stability. For the estimation of ground conditions, borehole tests, borehole camera logging and seismic logging were performed. Ground properties at a specific location were determined as input constants by performing 2 dimensional analyses with possible ranges of uncertain ground properties. Static and pseudo-static (due to blasting vibration) factors of safety were calculated. The behavior of the tunnel and its vicinity due to the tunnel excavation were predicted by 3 dimensional analyses. It was also tested whether the support system was proper.