• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.89-107
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• 2019

Rock joints have an extremely important role in analyzing the mechanical stability and hydraulic characteristics of rock mass structures. Most rock joint parameters are generally indicated as a distribution by statistical techniques. In this research, calculation technique of Joint Center Volume (JCV) is analyzed, which is required for estimating the size distribution having the largest uncertainty among the joint parameters, then a new technique is proposed which is applicable regardless of the shape of survey window. The existing theoretical JCV calculation technique can be applied only to the plane window, and the complete enumeration techniques show the limitations in joint trace type and analysis time. This research aims to overcome the limitations in survey window shape and joint trace type through calculating JCV by using Monte Carlo simulation. The applicability of proposed technique is validated through the estimation results at non-planar survey windows such as curved surface and tunnel surface.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1998.05a
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• pp.35-81
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• 1998

Distinct Element Method(DEM) has a great advantage to model the discontinuous behaviour of jointed rock masses such as rotation, sliding, and separation of rock blocks. Geometrical data of joints by a field monitoring is not enough to model the jointed rock mass though the results of DE analysis for the jointed rock mass is most sensitive to the distributional properties of joints. Also, it is important to use a properly joint law in evaluating the stability of a jointed rock mass because the joint is considered as the contact between blocks in DEM. In this study, a stochastic modelling technique is developed and the dilatant rock joint is numerically modelled in order to consider th geometrical and mechanical properties of joints in DE analysis. The stochastic modelling technique provides a assemblage of rock blocks by reproducing the joint distribution from insufficient joint data. Numerical Modelling of joint dilatancy in a edge-edge contact of DEM enable to consider not only mechanical properties but also various boundary conditions of joint. Preprocess Procedure for a stochastic DE model is composed of a statistical process of raw data of joints, a joint generation, and a block boundary generation. This stochastic DE model is used to analyze the effect of deviations of geometrical joint parameters on .the behaviour of jointed rock masses. This modelling method may be one tool for the consistency of DE analysis because it keeps the objectivity of the numerical model. In the joint constitutive law with a dilatancy, the normal and shear behaviour of a joint are fully coupled due to dilatation. It is easy to quantify the input Parameters used in the joint law from laboratory tests. The boundary effect on the behaviour of a joint is verified from shear tests under CNL and CNS using the numerical model of a single joint. The numerical model developed is applied to jointed rock masses to evaluate the effect of joint dilation on tunnel stability.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.232-246
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• 2018

In this study, the relationship between in situ seismic wave velocities and RMR (rock mass rating) was investigated in a test bed for the examination of the basis of rock classification (RMR) based on seismic wave velocity. The seismic wave velocity showed a monotonous increase with depth. It was also found that there was no systematic correlation between the seismic wave velocity (Vp) and other parameters (RQD, joint spacing, UCS, rock core Vp, and RMR) collected at the same depth of the same borehole. However, correlative relation was observed among RMR, RQD, and joint spacing. On the other hand, when all the data in the borehole (three holes) are examined without considering the depth, Vp still shows no correlation with RMR parameters (e.g., correlative coefficient for uniaxial compressive strength and joint spacing are 0.039 and 0.091, respectively), but Vp shows weak correlative relation with RMR and RQD (correlative coefficient for RQD and RMR are 0.193 and 0.211, respectively). Thus, it is found that it is difficult to deduce physical properties of rock mass directly from seismic wave velocities, but the seismic wave velocity can be used as a tool to approximate rock mass properties because of weaker correlation between Vp and RMR with RQD. In addition, the velocity value of for soft and moderate rocks suggested by widely used construction standards is slower than that of the observed velocity, implying that the standards need to be examined and revised.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.386-393
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• 2011

This study suggests an algorithm for estimating joint diameter distribution in rock mass from the joint trace length distribution around a circular tunnel. For estimating the joint diameter distribution, the concept of Joint Center Volume (JCV) suggested by Song. (2005) was applied and the calculation method of JCV for the cylindrical window survey was developed by using the complete survey method. The estimated joint diameter distribution was verified against the original joint diameter distribution by Monte-Carlo simulation. It was observed that the estimated joint diameter distribution was converged to the original joint diameter distribution with less than 20% of error.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.353-364
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• 2022

This study presents a hybrid algorithm for classifying the rock joints, where the improved artificial bee colony (IABC) and the fuzzy C-means (FCM) clustering algorithms are incorporated to take advantage of the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm by tuning the FCM clustering algorithm to obtain the more reasonable and stable result. A coefficient is proposed to reduce the amount of blind random searches and speed up convergence, thus achieving the goals of optimizing and improving the ABC algorithm. The results from the IABC algorithm are used as initial parameters in FCM to avoid falling to the local optimum in the local search, thus obtaining stable classifying results. Two validity indices are adopted to verify the rationality and practicability of the IABC-FCM algorithm in classifying the rock joints, and the optimal amount of joint sets is obtained based on the two validity indices. Two illustrative examples, i.e., the simulated rock joints data and the field-survey rock joints data, are used in the verification to check the feasibility and practicability in rock engineering for the proposed algorithm. The results show that the IABC-FCM algorithm could be applicable in classifying the rock joint sets.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.629-640
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• 2008

South anchorage(AN1, Myodo side) of supension bridge between Myodo and Gwangyang is designed as rock anchorage with 36m anchor length using the resistance of rock mass in Myodo. Checking the overall stability of the anchorage, we considered rock joints, bedding planes, fault zones and condition of rock structure in situ by analysis results for photo-lineaments, aerial photograph interpretation and drill-hole logs are considered. This anchorage consists of an access shaft, adit, and the upper and lower concrete bearing plate to introduce pre-stressing force into rock mass.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.315-326
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• 2004

This study performed model tunnel tests in order to investigate the influence of discontinuity condition of rock mass to the stress and deformation of tunnel lining. Tests were carried out changing the direction of main joint and lateral earth pressure condition of rock mass. Test results revealed that the axial force in tunnel lining showed a tendency of decrease with the presence of joints. It decreased much with the increase of lateral earth pressure coefficient. And, it also showed that the location or maximum displacement and maximum stress in lining were changed by the direction of main joint of rock mass. The tangential stress and normal stress showed the difference above the maximum twenty times as lateral earth pressure coefficient due to effect of joints increased. Also, these tendencies of concentration of tensile stress in tunnel lining were confirmed by elastic theory.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.101-113
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• 2001

Structural and geological engineering properties of the rock mass distributed in the Yokmang mountain area were investigated to detenninc the usable cut-out volume and quarrying efficiency. The study area is located in the southern tip of the Yangsan fault system which controls the geological structure of the Kvungsang basin. As a result, the study area is mainly composed of andesicic. rhyolitic. and granitic rocks of the Cretaceous Kyungsang Supergroup and a series of right-handed strike-slip faults is developed along NNE-SSW direction. These regional faults significantly affect the spatial and meclwnical characteristics of joints such as spacing, frequency, and compressive strength. The joint frequency is highest along the fault zones and decreases toward the remote region. Based on the geological information obtained from the field survey, the detailed structure of the Yokmang mountain was analyzed and the volume of the rock mass was assessed. Considering the minimum rock block size required for the construction of a coastal dumping site, potential cut-out volume is then estimated to be 4,018,000m$^3$ the volume % of which is 48% of Yokmang mountain including the soil and weathered rock and 61% of the unweathered rock mass.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.235-244
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• 2016

Grouting is frequently used before the construction of subsea tunnels to mitigate problems that can occur in weak ground zones such as joints, faults or unconsolidated settlements during construction. The grout material injected into rock mass often flows through the discontinuities present in the host rock and hence, joint properties such as its distribution, roughness and thickness greatly affect the properties of grouting-improved rocks. The grouting-improved zones near subsea tunnels are also subjected to high water pressures that can cause long-term weathering in the form of changes in grout microstructure and crack formation and lead to subsequent changes in ground properties. Therefore, an assessment method is needed to accurately measure changes in the grouting-improved zones near subsea tunnels. In this study, the elastic wave propagation characteristics in grouting-improved rocks were tested for various axial stress levels, curing time, joint roughness and thickness conditions under laboratory conditions and the results were compared with wave velocity standards in different Korean rock mass classification systems to provide a basis for inferring improvement in grouted rock-mass.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1994.09a
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• pp.149-157
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• 1994

In this study two dimensional visco-plastic finite element model capable of handling the multi-step excavation was developed for investigating the effect of excavation support sequences on the behavior of underground openings in the jointed rock mass. First, the finite element model which is capable of handling the multi-step excavation is developed and verified. And then the model is combined with visco-plastic joint model. Ubiquitous joint pattern was considered in the model and joint properties in cach set were assumed to be indentical. Passive, full-grouted rockbolts were cosidered in the numerical model. The visco-plastic deformations of joints and rockbolts were assumed to be governed by Mohr-Conlomb and von Mises yield criteria, respectively. With the ability of removing elements, the model can simulate the multi-step excavation-suppport sequences. The reliability and applicability of the model to the stability analysis for the underground excavation in pratice was checked by simulating the behavior of underground crude oil storage caverns under construction.