• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.39-62
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• 2020

In this study, Barcelona Basic Model (BBM) was implemented into TOUGH2-MP/FLAC3D for the numerical analysis of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) behavior of unsaturated soils and the prediction of long-term behaviors. Similar to the methodology described in a previous study for the implementation of BBM into TOUGH-FLAC, the User Defined Model (UDM) of FLAC based on the Modified Cam Clay Model (MCCM) and the FISH function of FLAC3D were used to extend the existing MCCM module in FLAC3D for the implementation of BBM into TOUGH2-MP/FLAC3D. In the developed BBM module in TOUGH2-MP/FLAC3D, the plastic strains due to change in suction increase (SI) in addition to mean effective stress are calculated. In addition to loading-collapse (LC) yield surface, suction increase (SI) yield surface is changed by hardening rules in the developed BBM module. Several numerical simulations were conducted to verify and validate the implementation of BBM: using an example presented in the FLAC3D manual for the standard MCCM, simulation results using COMSOL, and experimental data presented in SKB Reports. In addition, the developed BBM analysis module was validated by simultaneously performing a series of modeling tests that were performed for the validation of the Quick tools developed for the purpose of effectively deriving BBM parameters, and by comparing the Quick tools and Code_Bright results reported in a previous study.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.38-61
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• 2023

An Excavation Damaged Zone(EDZ) caused by blasting impact changes rock properties, in situ stress distribution, etc., and its effects are noticeable at around a radioactive waste repository located at deep underground. In particular, the increase in permeability due to the formation of cracks may significantly increase the amount of groundwater inflow and the possibility of radioactive nuclide outflow. In this study, FLAC2D and FLAC3D were used to analyze the mechanical and thermal behaviors for three categories: a)No EDZ, b)Uniform EDZ, and c)Random EDZ. It was found that the tunnel displacement in the Random EDZ case was 423% higher than that in the No EDZ case and was 16% higher than that in the Uniform EDZ case. Tunnel inflow in the Random EDZ was also 17.3% and 10.8% higher than that in the No EDZ and the Uniform EDZ case, respectively. The permeability around the tunnel was increased by up to 10 times in the corner of the tunnel wall and roof due to the stress redistribution after excavation. From the computer simulation, it was found that the permeability around the tunnel wall was partially increased but the overall tunnel inflow was decreased with increase of stress ratio. Mechanical analysis using FLAC 3D showed similar results. Slight difference between 2D and 3D could be explained with the development of plastic zone during the advance of tunnel excavation in 3D.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.437-454
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• 2022

The hydro-mechanical (HM) two-way sequential coupling in the TOUGH2-FLAC3D linking algorithm is validated completely and successfully in both M to H and H to M directions, which are initiated by mechanical surface loading for geomechanical validation and hydrological groundwater pumping for hydrogeological validation, respectively. For such complete and successful validation, a TOUGH2-FLAC3D linked numerical model is developed first by adopting the TOUGH2-FLAC3D linking algorithm, which uses the two-way (fixed-stress split) sequential coupling scheme and the implicit backward time stepping method. Two geomechanical and two hydrogeological validation problems are then simulated using the linked numerical model together with basic validation strategies and prerequisites. The second geomechanical and second hydrogeological validation problems are also associated with the Mandel effect and the Noordbergum and Rhade effects, respectively, which are three phenomenally well-known but numerically challenging HM effects. Finally, sequentially coupled numerical solutions are compared with either analytical solutions (verification) or fully coupled numerical solutions (benchmarking). In all the four validation problems, they show almost perfect to extremely or very good agreement. In addition, the second geomechanical validation problem clearly displays the Mandel effect and suggests a proper or minimum geometrical ratio of the height to the width for the rectangular domain to maximize agreement between the numerical and analytical solutions. In the meantime, the second hydrogeological validation problem clearly displays the Noordbergum and Rhade effects and implies that the HM two-way sequential coupling scheme used in the linked numerical model is as rigorous as the HM two-way full coupling scheme used in a fully coupled numerical model.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.335-358
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• 2020

We present a numerical model to simulate coupled hydro-mechanical behavior of fault using TOUGH-FLAC simulator. This study aims to develop a numerical method to estimate fluid injection-induced fault reactivation in low permeability rock and to access the relevant hydro-mechanical stability in rock as part of DECOVALEX-2019 Task B. A coupled fluid flow and mechanical interface model to explicitly represent a fault was suggested and validated from the applications to benchmark simulations and the field experiment at Mont Terri underground laboratory in Switzerland. The pressure build-up, hydraulic aperture evolution, displacement, and stress responses matched those obtained at the site, which indicates the capability of the model to appropriately capture the hydro-mechanical processes in rock fault.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2018

In this paper, the creep behavior of bolted rock was analyzed by using the unconfined creep tests and the numerical results. Based on the test results, the Bolted Burgers creep model (B-B model) was proposed to clarify the creep mechanism of rock mass due to rock bolts. As to the simulation of the creep behaviour of bolted rock, a new user-defined incremental iterative format of the B-B model was established and the open-source $FLAC^{3D}$ code was written by using the object-oriented language (C++). To check the reliability of the present B-B creep constitutive model program, a numerical model of a tunnel with buried depth of 1000 m was established to analyze the creep response of the tunnel with the B-B model support, the non-support and the bolt element support. The simulation results show that the present B-B model is consistent with the calculated results of the inherent bolt element in $FLAC^{3D}$, and the convergence deformation can be more effectively controlled when the proposed B-B model is used in the $FLAC^{3D}$ software. The big advantage of the present B-B creep model secondarily developed in the $FLAC^{3D}$ software is the high computational efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.41-70
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• 1999

The benefits of utilizing internal reinforced members, such as soil nails and ground anchors, in maintaining stable excavations and slopes have been known among geotechnical engineers to be very effective. Occasionally, however, both soil nails and ground anchors are simultaneously used in one excavation site. In the present study, a method of limit equilibrium stability analysis of the excavation zone reinforced with the vertically or horizontally mixed nail-anchor system is proposed to evaluate the global safety factor with respect to a sliding failure. The postulated failure wedges are determined based on the results of the $FLAC^{2D}\; 및\; FLAC^{3D}$ program analyses. This study also deals with a determination of the required thickness of the shotcrete facing. An excessive facing thickness may be required due to both the stress concentration and the relative displacement at the interface zone between the soil nailing system and the ground anchor system. A simple finite element method of analysis is presented to estimate the corresponding relative displacement at the interface zone between two different support systems. As an efficient resolution to reduce the facing thickness, the modified bearing plate system is also proposed. Finally with various analysis related to the effects of design parameters, the predicted displacements are compared with the results of the $FLAC^{2D}$ program analyses.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.211-225
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• 2019

Recently, earthquakes have occurred throughout the entire region of Korea and seismic analysis studies have been actively conducted in various fields. SSI analyses studies considering ground have been carried out consistently. However, few comparative analyses have been performed on the dynamic behavior of buildings according to numerical analysis method in the case of the previous dynamic analyses considering grounds. Therefore, in this study, the dynamic analyses were performed on a high-rise building by using both a finite element program MIDAS GTS NX and a finite difference program FLAC 2D. The results were compared and analyzed each other. As a result, both the maximum compressive and tensile bending stresses of above ground and below ground part were estimated to be a little larger by MIDAS GTS NX than by FLAC 2D. However, the maximum horizontal displacement value, the horizontal displacement distribution, and the position of weak part were turned out to be similar in both analysis programs. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is no difference in using either a finite element program or a finite difference program for the convenience of a user for a dynamic analysis.

• 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.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.144-159
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• 2022

The present study developed a sequential approach-based numerical simulator for modeling coupled thermal-hydrological-mechanical (THM) processes in the ground and investigated the computational performance of the coupling analysis algorithm. The present sequential approach linked the two different solvers: an open-source numerical code, OpenGeoSys for solving the thermal and hydrological processes in porous media and a commercial code, FLAC3D for solving the geomechanical response of the ground. A benchmark test of the developed simulator was carried out using a THM problem where an analytical solution is given. The benchmark problem involves the coupled behavior (variations in temperature, pore pressure, stress, and deformation with time) of a fully saturated porous medium which is subject to a point heat source. The results of the analytical solution and numerical simulation were compared and the validity of the numerical simulator was investigated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.11b
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• pp.213-220
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• 2000

Numerical modeling of cut slope has some limits in simulating the real slopes. In the case of 2D analysis of slope stability, it is assumed that slope is simply straight even when it is concave or convex in plan view. In this study, 3D analysis in curved shape slopes has been conducted for the comparison with 2D analysis in terms of failure mode and factor of safety. For this, 3D analysis by FLAC3D was compared with 2D analysis in plane strain condition and axi-symmetric model condition by FLAC. It was also observed how safety factors of slopes were affected by the variation of the tensile strength and cohesion, which are important variables to decide whether the slope fails or not. 2D analysis of concave slopes under plane strain condition showed much smaller safety factors by 16-40 % errors depending on the radius of curvature of slopes, compared to the more realistic values from 3D analysis. In case of convex slopes, the lower values by 7-10 % has been reported. 2D analysis of axi-symmetric model showed also smaller safety factors by 6-10 % and by 2-4 %, in case of concave and convex slopes, respectively. Such results are expected to contribute to the better understanding of failure process and could be applied for improved design of slopes.