• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.57-67
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• 2023

Slope failures during rainfall have been observed in mountainous areas of South Korea as a result of the presence of solar power facilities. The seepage behavior and pore pressure distribution differ from typical slopes due to the presence of impermeable solar panels, and the load imposed by the solar power structures also affects the slope behavior. This study aims to develop a method for evaluating the stability of slopes with solar power facilities and to analyze vulnerable points by considering the maximum slope displacement. To assess the slope stability and predict behavior while considering rainfall seepage, a combined seepage analysis and finite difference method numerical analysis were employed. For the selected site, various variables were assumed, including parameters related to the Soil Water Characteristic Curve, strength parameters that satisfy the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, soil properties, and topographic factors such as slope angle and bedrock depth. The factors with the most significant influence on the factor of safety (FOS) were identified. The presence of solar power facilities was found to affect the seepage distribution and FOS, resulting in a decreasing trend due to rainfall seepage. The maximum displacement points were concentrated near the upper (crest) and lower (toe) sections of the slope.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.75-91
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• 2023

In this study, we explore the use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) for the nondestructive survey of subsurface conduits, focusing on the challenges posed by multichannel environments. A key concern is the shadow regions created by conduits, which significantly impact survey results. The shadow regions, which are influenced by conduit position and diameter, hinder signal propagation, thereby making detection within these regions challenging. Using finite-difference time-domain numerical analysis, we examined the characteristics of conduit signals, which typically manifest in hyperbolic patterns. Particularly, we investigated three conduit arrangements: horizontal, vertical, and diagonal. Automatic gain control was applied to amplify the signals, enabling the analysis of variations in shadow regions and signal characteristics for each arrangement. In the horizontal arrangement, the proximity of the two conduits resulted in the emergence of a new hyperbolic pattern between the existing conduits. In the vertical arrangement, the lower conduit could be detected using hyperbolic signals on either side, but the detection was challenging when the upper conduit diameter exceeded that of the lower conduit. In the diagonal arrangement, signal characteristics varied based on the position of shadow regions relative to the detection range of the equipment. Asymmetrical signal patterns were observed when the shadow regions fell within the detection range, whereas the signals of the two conduits were minimally impacted when the shadow regions were outside the detection range. This study provides vital insights into accurately detecting and characterizing subsurface multichannel conduits using GPR-a significant contribution to the field of subsurface exploration and management.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2024

In current slope stability analysis techniques, slope stability is evaluated based on the saturated-soil theory. However, soil-water characteristics change frequently depending on the climate. Therefore, because the saturated soil theory has limitations, the application of the unsaturated soil theory is necessary for slope stability. It is also important to evaluate the engineering properties of unsaturated soil because the capillary absorption capacity is reduced due to heavy rain, thereby causing a reduction in slope stability. In this study, soil-water characteristic tests were performed using four samples with different fine contents (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) using granite-weathered soil in domestic production areas. In particular, to consider the previously conducted drying process as well as the evaluation of stability due to heavy rain on the actual slope, a wetting process was conducted, in which the water content was increased. In addition, the van Genuchten (1980) model, which is the most consistent theoretical equation for the experiment, was used with various theoretical equations, and the parameters were analyzed according to the fine content of the granite-weathered soil for the drying and wetting processes.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.85-91
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• 2024

To realize stable use of ground treated with cementitious materials, the curing process must be evaluated. In this study, a time domain reflectometry (TDR) measurement system was employed to evaluate the curing process of cementitious grout based on the electromagnetic property. A coated probe was manufactured to prevent electrical connection between the electrodes by the electrically conductive cementitious grout, and a calibration process was performed to estimate the actual relative permittivity using the coated probe. To assess the curing process of cementitious grout using the TDR measurement system, cementitious grout with added retarder was prepared with a water-to-cement ratio of 45%. A preliminary measurement was conducted immediately after pouring the cementitious grout into the mold to test the applicability of the coated probe, and TDR signals and relative permittivity were measured at 3~288 hours of curing time. The experimental results demonstrate that the relative permittivity of the cementitious grout immediately after pouring was greater than 100, decreased rapidly over time, and converged to approximately 13.8 at 144 hours, which is considered the fully cured time. This findings of this study demonstrate that the TDR measurement system with a coated probe is applicable to electrically conductive materials. In addition, the TDR measurement system can be used effectively to monitor the curing process of cementitious grout based on electromagnetic properties.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.109-126
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• 2015

Because fault gouge developed at the center of fault is recognized as one of the most important weak sites, it is evident that clay mineralogy and physical properties greatly affect the rock stability. The purpose of this study is to establish the relationship of mineralogy and physical factors that control rock stability in fault zones. We analyzed a total of 51 samples from 16 main faults which were selected from a Korea fracture map, using XRD, SEM, and physical analyses like unit weight, friction and cohesion properties. Though it is considered that the most common clay minerals comprising fault gouge are kaolinite, illite and smectite, clay mineralogy slightly varies depending on lithology: illite > smectite > kaolinite and chlorite in volcanic rocks, kaolinite and chlorite > illite > smectite in sedimentary rocks, and illite > smectite > kaolinite and chlorite in abundance, respectively. Friction angle decreases with increasing clay content. Cohesion increases with increasing clay content below the 45 % region while it decreases with increasing clay content at the region higher than 45%, with some scatters in the data. It is likely that these results are ascribed to the physical heterogeneity of fault gouges with varying content of different clay minerals.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.37-43
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• 2015

Dam movements are identified in real-time with measuring instruments for dam maintenance. However, for dams that have aged, the measuring instruments that were installed during the dam construction are frequently malfunctioning or completely failing altogether. Precision safety diagnosis is being executed for dams that are national facilities Type 1. During the diagnosis, a safety assessment is conducted for the dam body. Normally, during the analysis of dam safety, the widest cross-section is selected and a two-dimensional numerical analysis is taken place for the cross-section. However, numerous researchers have recently looked into applying the 3-dimensional numerical analysis program developments to precisely analyze the structure of the dam, as well as the surrounding strata, and the lower dam strata. In this study, PLAXIS 3D, a geotechnical generic FEM analysis program, was used to conduct dam safety assessments for earthquakes. The following were compared and analyzed: considering the seismic properties of the dam body with all zoned structures reflected as one rock-fill zone together with the dam body, considering the dam body as the rock-fill zone and the core zone, and the numerical analysis results. Thus, the study was aimed to analyze the impact properties of seismic waves according to the different zones.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.17-26
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• 2020

The soft ground in the southwest coastal area composed of marine clay is greatly influenced by sediment composition, particle size distribution, particle shape, adsorption ions and pore water characteristics, tide and temperature. In addition, the geotechnical properties are very complex due to stress history, change in pore water, dissolution process and gas formation. In this study, the physical and mechanical properties of the soft ground were evaluated through field tests and laboratory tests to investigate the strength increase characteristics according to consolidation on the soft ground in the southwest coast. In addition, in order to understand the consolidation behavior of soft ground such as subsidence, pore water pressure, horizontal displacement of soil by embankment load, measuring instruments such as pore water pressuremeter, settlement gauge, inclinometer and differential settlement gauge was installed, and a piezocon penetration test was carried out step by step to confirm the increase in shear strength of the ground. Through this, it was confirmed that the shear strength of the ground is increased according to the stages of filling. In addition, by evaluating the properties of consolidation behavior, strength increase and consolidation prediction by empirical methods and theories were compared to analyze the characteristics of strength increase rate and consolidation behavior in consideration of regional characteristics.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.47-59
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• 2023

In this research, laboratory tests were conducted on clayey sand (SC) to analyze its physical properties, compaction/permeability characteristics, and stress-strain behavior. The main objective was to determine the transitional fines content at which the mechanical properties of sand transition to those of clay, resulting in a change in the geotechnical behavior of the material. Additionally, to assess the practical applicability of SC soil, field data from a soft ground improvement site with significant settlement issues were collected. The settlement characteristics derived from laboratory tests and numerical simulations were then compared and analyzed in relation to the actual settlement data obtained from the field, aiming to evaluate the suitability of the SC soil as a compaction target layer. The laboratory tests and compaction analysis showed that the SC soil exhibited a distinct change in mechanical properties, shifting from sandy behavior to clayey behavior when the fines content exceeded 25%. This transition in mechanical behavior was found to be closely correlated with the content of clay particles within the material. Through numerical simulations of the soft ground site, it was verified that the use of clayey sand with a fines content exceeding the transitional level as a compaction target layer resulted in settlements that closely aligned with the measured settlements, with an average agreement of 91.2%. Based on these findings, it is deemed advisable to incorporate clayey sand with a fines content exceeding the transitional level as part of the compaction target layer in the design of soft ground improvements.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.19-37
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• 2024

Rockbolts are the primary-supports in NATM tunnels and are widely used at tunnel construction sites. Among the rockbolts methods applied in domestic tunnel design, fully grouted rockbolts are the most representative and frequently used. Fully grouted rockbolts exhibit relative behavior between the bolt and the ground due to the grout material. However, during numerical analysis for tunnel design, fully grouted rockbolts are often modeled in a way that does not reflect their behavior characteristics. This may result in underestimating or overestimating the force of the supports. Based on a literature review, it was analyzed that fully grouted rockbolts are modeled using truss element or cable element. To analyze the effect of grout properties of cable elements on rockbolts behavior, this paper compared the behavior of rockbolts in two models: one estimating grout properties based on rockbolt pull-out test data, and another assuming complete adhesion between the rockbolts and the ground by applying large grout properties. Under identical tunnel conditions, the numerical analysis was conducted by modeling the fully grouted rockbolts differently using truss and cable elements, and the tunnel behavior was analyzed. The research results suggest that modeling fully grouted rockbolts as a function of the interface effect between the bolts and the ground, specifically considering grout, is desirable. The use of pull-out test data to simulate the behavior of actual fully grouted rockbolts was considered as a valid approach.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.326-334
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• 2008

The resistivity method has been used to image the electrical properties of the subsurface. Especially, this method has become suitable for monitoring since data could be rapidly and automatically acquired. In this study, we developed a time-lapse inversion algorithm for the interpretation of resistivity monitoring data. The developed inversion algorithm imposes a big penalty on the model parameter with small change, while a minimal penalty on the model parameter with large change compared to the reference model. Through the numerical experiments, we can ensure that the time-lapse inversion result shows more accurate and focused image where model parameters have changed. Also, applying the timelapse inversion method to the leakage detection of an embankment dam, we can confirm that there are three major leakage zones, but they have not changed over time.