• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.127-140
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• 1999

In this study, decomposed granite soil samples were taken from 16 different regions and their weathering properties were investigated by testing their physical and chemical properties. According to the results, the Chemical Weathering Index (CWI) ranges from 15.5 to 30 in general and 12 out of the 16 regions show over 20 in CWI. The 12 regions are categorized into complete granite soil areas by Sueoka's classification. CWI, Li. $SiO_2,\; \DeltaS/S$ and SAR are all correlated significantly and used as indicators by which the degree of weathering can be judged. The degree of weathering can be measured especially through Li or $SiO_2$ which is considered as an easy approach of geotechnical classification. Also, the relationship between the value of N and Li is regarded as a good indicator in estimating the degree of weathering.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 2012

The processes of chemical and physical weathering occur simultaneously. The objective of this study was to estimate the degree weathered using fractal dimension through comparison with chemical characteristic of soil samples from Pohang (PH) and Kimpo (KP). Comparing chemical characteristics with fractal dimension, $SiO_2$, $Na_2O$, $K_2O$ content decreased and loss of ignition increased as fractal dimension increased. And fractal dimension showed high correlation with CWI while ATI, STI CIW, PI, CIA and RR demonstrated different degrees of correlation with fractal dimension. The tendency of the changes in oxide content and chemical weathering index with increasing fractal dimension appeared to be similar with the chemical changes due to weathering. Therefore, fractal dimension could be a good indicator representing the extent of weathering and chemical changes.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.13-23
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• 2007

Weathered soils appear from the rock and its weathering result. In accordance with the degree of weathering the roch may become soft rock, weathered rock and residual soil. In general, classification method for determining the degree of weathering are performed by chemical method and N-value. But these method have some problems. So, this research is to suggest an appropriate physical method to determine the degree of weathering of weathered soils. A new classification method for determining the degree of weathering is suggested, based upon the results from fall cone test. According to the proposed physical method using fall cone apparatus, the measured values of the samples from the same area show distinctive difference of weathering. For the checking, we selected two areas. As a result, the relationship between CWI and water content according to penetration is expressed as an equation in Ilsan and Incheon area. And it proved to be a good method to determine the degree of weathering.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.381-391
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• 2011

Weathering can reduce rock strength and eventually affect the structural stability of a rock mass, which is important in the field of engineering geology. Several methods have been developed to evaluate the degree of weathering, including the chemical weathering index. In this study, we analyzed the weathering degree and characteristics of microtextures and pores in crystalline rocks (gneiss and granites) based on petrographic observations, the chemical weathering index, mineralogy by XRD, microtextural analysis by SEM/EDS, measurements of pore size and surface area by the BET method, and microporosity by X-ray CT. The formation of secondary minerals and microtexture in gneiss and granitic rocks are assumed to be affected by complex processes such as dissolution, precipitation, and fracturing. Hence, it is clear that some chemical weathering indices that are based solely on whole-rock chemistry (e.g., CIA and CWI) are unable to provide reliable assessments of the degree of weathering. Great care is needed to evaluate the degree of chemical weathering, including an understanding of the mineralogy and microtexture of the rock mass, as well as the characteristics of micropores.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2008

It is essential to analyze and classify the physical characteristics of weathered granite for engineering purposes. This paper is to suggest a physical method to determine the degree of weathering of weathered soils. A new classification method for determining the degree of weathering is suggested, based upon the results from laboratory tests including fall cone test. According to the proposed physical method using fall cone apparatus, the measured values of the samples from the same area show distinctive difference of weathering. The water content tends to increase with increasing the degree of weathering at the same penetration in fall cone test. And relationship between CWI and water content are expressed one equation in Hwaseong area and Ilsan area.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.181-194
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• 1999

Both the chemical components and the physical and mechanical properties of the compacted and undisturbed weathered granite soils were estimated to investigate the influences of the degree of weathering and saturation on the shear strength. The weathered granite soils used in this study were taken from six different sites in Korea. The results showed that the shear strength of weathered granite soil decreased with increasing the degree of weathering and saturation. Under the normal stresses less that 40kPa, the shape of Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope followed curved or hyperbolic relationship and a half of cohesion value obtained by the common shear test was observed. Using the Sueoka's method, the values of CWI were ranged from 21.5 to 31.26 which can be characterized as a completely weathered granite soil. Large decrease in shear strength and remarkable variation in dilatancy were observed in saturated granite soil compared to unsaturated soil. It was also found that the shear strength of undisturbed weathered granite soil of Pungam site can be expressed approximately by the equation of ${(\tau)_{sat}= 1.0(\tau)_{unsat}-12.48}$ and this equation can be extended to the other sites considered in this study.