• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 1999

The characteristics of heat conduction for the heat source boundary like an arch shape cavern are different from those for the semi-infinite or circular boundary which can be driven theoretically. A new form of transient heat conduction equation in rock mass around the arch shape cavern is evaluated with analyzing the pattern of the rock temperature distribution measured at the cold storage pilot plant. The new equation, which is driven by adopting a shape function, $SF=\sqrt{logx_0/log(x_0+x)}$ to the solution for a semi-infinite boundary, has the semi-radial form of temperature variation with distance. And, thermal properties of rock mass are estimated by comparing the rock temperature distributions by this equation with those by measurement. Thermal conductivity and specific heat of rock mass are estimated as giving the difference of 20~25% compared to those of laboratory scale. This difference seems to be caused by discontinuity like joint and water content in rock mass.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2003

Field investigations of the orientations of discontinuity planes inside the borehole for designing the underground rock structures have been depend solely on the borehole image-taking techniques. But, borehole image-taking has to be processed after the completion of drilling operation and also requires the handling of highly expensive apparatus so that practical application is very restricted. In this study Discontinuity Orientation Measurement (DOM) drilling system and discontinuity analysis model RoSA-DOM are developed to acquire the reliable information of rock structure by analyzing the characteristics of joint distribution. DOM drilling system retrieves the rock core on which the reference line of pre-fixed drilling orientation is engraved. Coordinates of three arbitrary points on the joint surface relative to the position of reference line are assessed to determine the orientation of joint plane. The position of joint plane is also allocated by calculating the location of core axis at which joint plane is intersected. Then, the formation of joint set is analyzed by utilizing the clustering algorithm. Total and set spacings are calculated by considering the borehole axis as the scanline. Engineering applicability of in-situ rock mass around the borehole is also estimated by calculating the total and regional RQDs along the borehole axis.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.205-215
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• 2024

Manually mapping fractures in construction stone mines is challenging, time-consuming, and hazardous. In this method, there is no physical access to all points. In contrast, digital image processing offers a safe, cost-effective, and fast alternative, with the capability to map all joints. In this study, two methods of detecting the trace of discontinuities using image processing in construction stone mines are presented. To achieve this, we employ two modified Hough transform algorithms and the degree of neighborhood technique. Initially, we introduced a method for selecting the best edge detector and smoothing algorithms. Subsequently, the Canny detector and median smoother were identified as the most efficient tools. To trace discontinuities using the mentioned methods, common preprocessing steps were initially applied to the image. Following this, each of the two algorithms followed a distinct approach. The Hough transform algorithm was first applied to the image, and the traces were represented through line drawings. Subsequently, the Hough transform results were refined using fuzzy clustering and reduced clustering algorithms, along with a novel algorithm known as the farthest points' algorithm. Additionally, we developed another algorithm, the degree of neighborhood, tailored for detecting discontinuity traces in construction stones. After completing the common preprocessing steps, the thinning operation was performed on the target image, and the degree of neighborhood for lineament pixels was determined. Subsequently, short lines were removed, and the discontinuities were determined based on the degree of neighborhood. In the final step, we connected lines that were previously separated using the method to be described. The comparison of results demonstrates that image processing is a suitable tool for identifying rock mass discontinuity traces. Finally, a comparison of two images from different construction stone mines presented at the end of this study reveals that in images with fewer traces of discontinuities and a softer texture, both algorithms effectively detect the discontinuity traces.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.43-47
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• 2012

A evaluation for the strength of rock includes a lot of uncertainty due to existence of discontinuity surface and weakness plain in the rock mass, so essential test results and other data for the resonable strength analysis are absolutely insufficient. Therefore, a analytical technique to reduce such uncertainty can be required. A probabilistic analysis technique has mainly to make up for the uncertainty to investigate the strength of rock mass. Recently, a artificial neural networks, as a more newly analysis method to solve several problems in the existing analysis methodology, trends to apply to study on the rock strength. In this study the unconfined compressive strength from basic physical property values of sedimentary rock, black shale and red shale, distributed in Daegu metropolitan area is estimated, using the artificial neural networks. And the applicability of the analysis method is investigated. From the results, it is confirmed that the unconfined compressive strength of the sedimentary rock can be easily and efficiently predicted by the analysis technique with the artificial neural networks.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.221-234
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• 1999

This paper deals with the application of joint element in the finite element modeling of discontinuities encountered during rock tunneling. A nodal displacement joint element was implemented in a two dimensional finite element program GEOFE2D. The applicability of the joint element for modeling of discontinuities and the numerical stability of the implemented algorithm were examined by comparing the results of reduced small scale model tests as well as commercially available FEM program. The GEOFE2D was then used to analyze a tunnel crossed by a major discontinuity for the purpose of understanding the effect of discontinuity on the tunnel behavior. In addition, a modeling technique for the junction of discontinuity and shotcrete lining was presented. The results of analysis indicated that the stress-strain field around the tunnel is significantly altered by the presence of discontinuity, and that the stresses in the shotcrete lining considerably increase at the junction of the shotcrete lining and the discontinuity. It is therefore concluded that the major discontinuities must be carefully modeled in the finite element analysis of a tunneling problem in order to obtain more reliable results close to actual tunnel behavior.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.16 no.5 s.64
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• pp.394-404
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• 2006

Dynamic behavior of rock structures depends largely on the dynamic characteristics of ground and input earthquake wave. For blocky rocks with intense discontinuities, the mechanical characteristics of blocks and structural and mechanical characteristics of discontinuities affect overall behavior. In this study, UDEC was adopted to evaluate the dynamic behavior of rocks with various structural characteristics. Obtained results were compared to those of $FLAC^{2D}$, a continuum analysis, and the validity of the method was examined for dynamic analysis of discontinuous rocks for earthquake. Analysis considering the discontinuity showed significant changes in structural shape by the influence of joint behavior, and the behavior by continuum analysis was overestimated.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.269-288
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• 2016

The jointed rock mass behavior often plays a major role in the design of underground excavation, and their failures during excavation and in operation, are usually closely related to joints. This research attempts to evaluate the effects of two basic geometric factors influencing tunnel behavior in a jointed rock mass; joints spacing and joints orientation. A hybridized indirect boundary element code known as TFSDDM (Two-dimensional Fictitious Stress Displacement Discontinuity Method) is used to study the stress distribution around the tunnels excavated in jointed rock masses. This numerical analysis revealed that both the dip angle and spacing of joints have important influences on stress distribution on tunnel walls. For example the tensile and compressive tangential stresses at the boundary of the circular tunnel increase by reduction in the joint spacing, and by increase the dip joint angle the tensile stress in the tunnel roof decreases.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2006

Rock mass classification systems such as RMR and Q system have been widely served as a simple empirical approach for the design of various rock mass structures in the stage of site survey as well as under the construction. For the RQD determination, the boring is partially carried out and what is more, the survey boring is not normally carried out under construction. Therefore RQD is frequently determined by empirical method or indirect method. Since it is difficult to determine the discontinuity characteristics such as RQD, spacing, persistence, filling and so on, it is essential to develop suitable and simple systems without drilled core and a cert 없 n number of representative parameters. One of the primary objectives of the classification systems for a practicing engineer has been to make it simple to use as a preliminary design tool for the structures in rock mass. In the present study, the modifications for both the RMR and GSI system are suggested by authors to introduce new classification system as well as to improve the scope of some of the existing classification systems for a practicing engineer.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.52-63
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• 2003

Discontinuities such as faults, fractures and joints in rock mass play the dominant role in the mechanical and hydraulic properties of the rock mass. The key factors that influence on the flow of groundwater are hydraulic and geometric characteristics of discontinuities and their connectivity. In this study, a program that analyzes groundwater flow in the 3D discontinuity network was developed on the assumption that the discontinuity characteristics such as density, trace length, orientation and aperture have particular distribution functions. This program generates discontinuities in a three-dimensional space and analyzes their connectivity and groundwater flow. Due to the limited computing capacity In this study, REV was not exactly determined, but it was inferred to be greater than 25$\times$25$\times$25 ㎥. By calculating the extent of aperture that influences on the groundwater flow, it was found that the discontinuities with the aperture smaller than 30% of the mean aperture had little influence on the groundwater flow. In addition, there was little difference in the equivalent hydraulic conductivity for the the two cases when considering and not considering the boundary effect. It was because the groundwater flow was mostly influenced by the discontinuities with large aperture. Among the parameters considered in this study, the length, aperture, and orientation of discontinuities had the greatest influence on the equivalent hydraulic conductivity of rock mass in their order. In case of existence of a fault in rock mass, elements of the equivalent hydraulic conductivity tensor parallel to the fault fairly increased in their magnitude but those perpendicular to the fault were increased in a very small amount at the first stage and then converged.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.164-176
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• 1992

The conical-ended borehole technique and hemispherical-ended borehole technique are proposed, for the accurate stress measurement within a rock mass. Theory of stress tensor determination and in situ measurement system are presented with successful case examples, and the characteristics of stress distribution within rock masses are examined by the multiple times measurement in a single borehole. Subsequently, the problem in relation to the numerical approach for cavern designing is discussed on the basis of the dependency of the stress discontinuity on the geological discontinuities and so on.