• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.449-460
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• 2022

Safe underground construction in a rock mass requires adequate ground investigation and effective determination of rock conditions. The estimation of rock mass behavior is difficult, because rock masses are innately anisotropic and heterogeneous at different scales and are affected by various environmental factors. Quantitative rock mass classification systems, such as the Q-system and rock mass rating, are widely used for characterization and engineering design. The measurement of rock classification parameters is subjective and can vary among observers, resulting in questionable accuracy. Geophysical investigation methods, such as seismic surveys, have also been used for ground characterization. Torsional shear wave propagation characteristics in cylindrical rods are equal to that in an infinite media. A probabilistic quantitative relationship between the Q-value and shear wave velocity is thus investigated considering long-wavelength wave propagation in equivalent continuum jointed rock masses. Individual Q-system parameters are correlated with stress-dependent shear wave velocities in jointed rocks using experimental and numerical methods. The relationship between the Q-value and the shear wave velocity is normalized using a defined reference condition. This relationship is further improved using probabilistic analysis to remove unrealistic data and to suggest a range of Q-values for a given wave velocity. The proposed probabilistic Q-value estimation is then compared with field measurements and cross-hole seismic test data to verify its applicability.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.54-67
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• 1991

In geological media with anisotropic properties, the strength anisotropy in intact rock is the most important issue in engineering aspects. Point-ioad(P/L) strength test designed to estimate the uniaxial compressive strength(${\sigma}_c$) can be used to evaluate the anisotropic strength characteristics of rocks. The relationship between ${\sigma}_c$ and P/L strength indices(I$_s$), obtained from the banded gneisses distributed in the Cheongyang area, varies depend mainly on the dip angle($\beta$) of foliation. The axial P/L strength indicies(I$_{sa}$) decreases with the increment of $\beta$, whereas diametral P/L strength indices(I$_{sa}$) increase with it. However, the ${\sigma}_c$ decreases with the increments of $\beta$ below about 40$^{\circ}$, but it increases with the increments of $\beta$ over about 40$^{\circ}$ in general. The correlation between ${\sigma}_c$ and I$_s$ suggests that ${\sigma}_c$ is related to the Isa withing low angle($\beta$<40$^{\circ}$) and the I$_{sd}$ within high angle ($\beta$>40$^{\circ}$), respectively. The ratios of I$_s$ to ${\sigma}_c$ are obtained as 11 to 14 in the the gneisses in the study area. The ratio of 24, which is generally adopted value, cannot always be truthworth to the gneisses in the study area. The ratio for the dykes, however, show a good correlation as 21 to 24.5 and, the value of 24 can be used for a homogeneous and isotropic materials such as dykes.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2006

We measured the changes in P-wave velocity that occur when injecting $CO_2$ in gaseous, liquid, and supercritical phases into water-saturated anisotropic sandstones. P-wave velocities were measured in two cylindrical samples of Tako Sandstone, drilled along directions normal and parallel to the bedding plane, using a piezo-electric transducer array system. The velocity changes caused by $CO_2$ injection are typically -6% on average, with maximum values about -16% for the case of supercritical $CO_2$ injection. P-wave velocity tomograms obtained by the differential arrival-time method clearly show that $CO_2$ migration behaviour is more complex when $CO_2$ flows normal to the bedding plane than when it flows parallel to bedding. We also found that the differences in P-wave velocity images were associated both with the $CO_2$ phases and with heterogeneity of pore distribution in the rocks. Seismic images showed that the highest velocity reduction occurred for supercritical $CO_2$ injection, compared with gaseous or liquid $CO_$ injection. This result may justify the use of the seismic method for $CO_2$ monitoring in geological sequestration.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2011

Magnetic properties at low-temperatures can diagnose the presence of certain magnetic minerals in rocks. At the Verwey transition temperature ($T_v$, ~105~120 K), magnetite transforms from monoclinic to cubic structure as the temperature increases. At the isotropic point ($T_i$, ~135 K), magnetocrystalline anisotropic constant of magnetite passes through zero (from negative to positive) as the temperature decreases so that its optimal remanence acquisition axis changes from [111] to [001]. A sharp remanence drop was observed at $T_v$ during warming of LTSIRM (low-temperature saturation isothermal remanent magnetization). For cooling of RTSIRM (room-temperature saturation isothermal remanent magnetization), the remanence decreased on passing $T_i$ and $T_v$. On warming of RTSIRM, remanence recovery becomes more prominent as the average grain size of magnetite increases. In summary, the SIRM memory decreases with increasing grain size of magnetite. A similar, but rather gradual, remanence transition occurs for natural samples due to contribution of cations other than Fe. As a non-destructive tool, low-temperature magnetic behavior is sensitive to unravel the magnetic remanence carriers in terrestrial rocks or meteorites.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2020

Strength anisotropy is a typical feature of thin-bedded rock masses and their strength will be degraded subjected to water immersion effect. Such effect is crucial for the operation of hydropower plant because the impoundment lifts the water level of upstream reservoir and causes the rock mass of nearby slopes saturated. So far, researches regarding mechanical property of natural thin-bedded rock masses and their strength variation under water immersion based on field test method are rarely reported. This paper focuses on a thin-bedded stratified rock mass and carries out field test to investigate the mechanical property and strength variation characteristics. The field test is highlighted by samples which have a large shear dimension of 0.5 m*0.5 m, representing a more realistic in-situ situation than small size specimen. The test results confirm the anisotropic nature of the concerned rock mass, whose shear strength of host rocks is significantly larger than that of bedding planes. Further, the comparison of shear strength parameters of the thin-bedded rock mass under natural and saturated conditions show that for both host rocks and bedding planes, the decreasing extent of cohesion values are larger than friction values. The quantitative results are then adopted to analyze the influence of reservoir impoundment of a hydropower plant on the surrounding rock mass stability of diversion tunnels which are located in the nearby slope bank. It is evaluated that after reservoir impoundment, the strength degradation induced incremental deformations of surrounding rock mass of diversion tunnels are small and the stresses in lining structure are acceptable. It is therefore concluded that the influences of impoundment are small and the stability of diversion tunnels can be still achieved. The finings regarding field test method and its results, as well as the numerical evaluation conclusions are hoped to provide references for rock projects with similar concerns.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.535-570
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• 2017

There are only few cases where cause and location of failure of a rock structure are limited to a single discontinuity. Usually several discontinuities of limited size interact and eventually form a combined shear plane where failure takes place. So, besides the discontinuities, the regions between adjacent discontinuities, which consist of strong rock and are called material or rock bridges, are of utmost importance for the shear strength of the compound failure plane. Shear behaviour of persistent and non-persistent joint are different from each other. Shear strength of rock mass containing non-persistent joints is highly affected by mechanical behavior and geometrical configuration of non-persistent joints located in a rock mass. Therefore investigation is essential to study the fundamental failures occurring in a rock bridge, for assessing anticipated and actual performances of the structures built on or in rock masses. The purpose of this review paper is to present techniques, progresses and the likely future development directions in experimental testing of non-persistent joint failure behaviour. Experimental results showed that the presence of rock bridges in not fully persistent natural discontinuity sets is a significant factor affecting the stability of rock structures. Compared with intact rocks, jointed rock masses are usually weaker, more deformable and highly anisotropic, depending upon the mechanical properties of each joint and the explicit joint positions. The joint spacing, joint persistency, number of rock joint, angle of rock joint, length of rock bridge, angle of rock bridge, normal load, scale effect and material mixture have important effect on the failure mechanism of a rock bridge.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.281-287
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• 1994

The present paper deals with numerical modeling of Love channel waves in transversely isotropic elastic medium. First, an explicit finite-difference scheme of second order approximation is formulated with the wave equation of SH particle displacement in transversely isotropic medium. Since it is a heterogeneous formulation, it should enable efficient modeling of complex model structures without additional treatment of the internal boundary matching. With a model of isotropic coal seam embedded in high velocity host rock, seismograms are synthesized and tutn out to be essentially identical with published ones of Korn and $St{\ddot{o}}ckl$. Next, anisotropic coal seams are investigated. It is found that the horizontal velocity of the seam appears to play a major role of determining the group velocity of Love channel waves. The group velocity increases with the increase of the horizontal velocity or vice versa. However, further study will be needed to exploit fully Love channel waves for the determination of lithology, stratification, fracture in sedimentary rocks, for instance, for hydrocarbon exploration and development.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.215-227
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• 2001

The Okchon Formation and the Mesozoic granite of the Boeun, Chungbuk are compared in terms of seismic wave velocities estimated from the field experiment, and seismic wave velocities in 3-D measured from the rock specimen. P-wave velocity for the field data ranges from 861 m/s (Guryongsan-2 Formation) to 2697m/s (Bulguksa Granite). P-wave anisotropy also ranges from 46% (Changri Formation) to 81% (Bulguksa Granite), with an average value of 68.5%. P-wave velocities for the rock specimens from Guryongsan-1, Guryongsan-2, Changri, and Munjuri Formations are greater than 5000m/s. S-wave velocities for those specimens are approximately 3500m/s, which is 3-5 times grater than the ones estimated from the field experimental data. P-wave anisotropy for the specimens from Bulguksa Granite and Guryongsan-1 Formation exceeds 60%, which is compared to 30% for the other specimens. This value is much smaller than average P-wave anisotropy (69.5%) for the field data. It is suggested that velocity difference, associated with the propagation direction, is much greater for the field data than for the specimens.

• 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.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.187-206
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• 1999

A computer program to numerically predict the permeability tensor of fractured rocks is developed using information on discontinuities which Borehole Televiewer and Borehole Image Processing System (BIPS) provide. It uses orientation and thickness of a large number of discontinuities as input data, and calculates relative values of the 9 elements consisting of the permeability tensor by the formulation based on the EPM model, which regards a fractured rock as a homogeneous, anisotropic porous medium. In order to assess feasibility of the program on field sites, the numerically calculated tensor was obtained using BIPS logs and compared to the results of pumping test conducted in the boreholes of the study area. The degree of horizontal anisotropy and the direction of maximum horizontal permeability are 2.8 and $N77^{\circ}CE$, respectively, determined from the pumping test data, while 3.0 and $N63^{\circ}CE$ from the numerical analysis by the developed program. Disagreement between two analyses, especially for the principal direction of anisotropy, seems to be caused by problems in analyzing the pumping test data, in applicability of the EPM model and the cubic law, and in simplified relationship between the crack size and aperture. Aside from these problems, consideration of hydraulic parameters characterizing roughness of cracks and infilling materials seems to be required to improve feasibility of the proposed program. Three-dimensional assessment of its feasibility on field sites can be accomplished by conducting a series of cross-hole packer tests consisting of an injecting well and a monitoring well at close distance.