• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.367-379
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• 2024

We analyzed the changes in the properties of the Mudeungsan tuff by conducting an artificial weathering experiment based on the climatic conditions of Mudeungsan National Park, to evaluate the long-term stability of the columnar jointing in the tuff. The climate of Mudeungsan National Park over 20 years suggests the temperature conditions for freeze-thaw are -20 to 30℃. The change in tuff properties due to weathering were estimated by measuring the elastic wave velocity, which was measured after every 40 freeze-thaw cycles. Based on the origin of the Mudeungsan tuff and fracture distribution in the tuff, the elastic wave velocity in samples from 24 locations was measured at regular intervals in the axial and radial directions. The axial elastic wave velocity of the Mudeungsan tuff is 5,187~5,367 m/s, and the radial elastic wave velocity is 4,001~5,290 m/s. As a result of 200 freeze-thaw cycles, the axial elastic wave velocity decreased by 5.53% for sample MT-1, 4.89% for MT-2, and 5.36% for MT-3. The radial elastic wave velocity decreased by 20.00% for MT-1, 17.02% for MT-2, and 19.84% for MT-3. The decrease in elastic wave velocity due to the freeze-thaw cycles is greater for low values of elastic wave velocity. For the axial elastic wave velocity, the weathering is accelerated after 120 cycles and, for the radial elastic wave velocity, weathering actively progresses from the start of the freeze-thaw cycles. In summary, for a low elastic wave velocity, experimental weathering results in a large decrease in elastic wave velocity. In addition, the Mudeungsan tuff and its columnar joints have a distinct anisotropy.