• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.449-460
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• 2022

Safe underground construction in a rock mass requires adequate ground investigation and effective determination of rock conditions. The estimation of rock mass behavior is difficult, because rock masses are innately anisotropic and heterogeneous at different scales and are affected by various environmental factors. Quantitative rock mass classification systems, such as the Q-system and rock mass rating, are widely used for characterization and engineering design. The measurement of rock classification parameters is subjective and can vary among observers, resulting in questionable accuracy. Geophysical investigation methods, such as seismic surveys, have also been used for ground characterization. Torsional shear wave propagation characteristics in cylindrical rods are equal to that in an infinite media. A probabilistic quantitative relationship between the Q-value and shear wave velocity is thus investigated considering long-wavelength wave propagation in equivalent continuum jointed rock masses. Individual Q-system parameters are correlated with stress-dependent shear wave velocities in jointed rocks using experimental and numerical methods. The relationship between the Q-value and the shear wave velocity is normalized using a defined reference condition. This relationship is further improved using probabilistic analysis to remove unrealistic data and to suggest a range of Q-values for a given wave velocity. The proposed probabilistic Q-value estimation is then compared with field measurements and cross-hole seismic test data to verify its applicability.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.21 no.B
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• pp.51-58
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• 2001

The Distinct Element Method (DEM) was used to analyze the stability of jointed rock slope, of which dimension are about 200m(length), 60m(height), $55^{\circ}$ dip. The Barton-Bandis joint model was used, as a constitutive model. The parameters such as JRC and spatial distribution characteristics of discontinuities were acquired through field investigation. Three different cases such as $51^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$ and $38^{\circ}$ in angle of rock slope were analyzed to decide a stable slope. To keep the jointed rock slope safely, it is proposed to reduce the height of slope from 60m to 48m and to reduce the angle of the from $55^{\circ}$ to $38^{\circ}$ too.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.82-86
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• 2005

Numerical methods to estimate behaviors of jointed rock mass can be roughly divided into two methods : continuous and discontinuous model. Generally, distinct element method(DEM) is applied in discontinuous model, and finite element method(FDM) or finite difference method(FDM) is utilized in continuum model. To predict a behavior of discontinuous model by DEM, it is essential to understand characteristics of joints developed in rock mass through field tests. However, results of field tests can not provide full information about rock mass because field tests are conducted in limited area. In this paper, discontinuous analysis by UDEC and continuous analysis by FLAC are utilized to estimate a behavior of a tunnel in jointed rock mass. For including discontinuous analysis in continuous analysis, joints in rock mass is considered by reducing rock mass properties obtained by RMR and decreasing shear strength of rock mass. By comparing and revising two analysis results, analysis results similar with practical behavior of a tunnel can be induced and appropriate support system is decided.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.102-118
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• 1994

Thermomechanical analysis is conducted on the radioactive repository in deep rock mass considering the in-situ stress, excavation and thermal loading of a radioactive waste. Thermomechanical properties of a discontinuous rock mass are estimated by a theoretical method so called sequential analysis. Using the estimated properties as input for finite element analysis, the influence on temperature distribution and thermal stress is analyzed within the scope of 2-dimensional steady state and transient heat transfer and coupled thermal elastic plastic behaviour. Granitic rock mass is taken for this analysis. The analysis is done for two different rock mass conditions, i.e. continuous-homogeneous and highly jointed conditions, for the purpose of comparison. In the case of steady state, the extent of disturbed zone around the storage tunnel due to the heat production of the spent-fuel canister varies depending on the thermomechanical properties of the rock mass. In the case of transient analyses, the response of the jointed rock mass to the thermal loading after radioactive waste disposal varies significantly with time, resulting in dramatic changes in the both size and location of disturbed zone.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.17-26
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• 2017

Tunnel excavation in jointed rock mass induces a displacement along tunnel excavation line and its assessment is very important to ensure the stability of tunnel and a demanded space. Tunnel displacement is directly related to the deformation modulus of ground and therefore it is essential to know the value of the parameter. However, most rock masses where tunnels are constructed are generally jointed and it is difficult to find out the deformation modulus of jointed rock mass simply based on an homogeneous isotropic elastic medium because the deformation modulus is highly affected by joint condition as well as rock type. Accordingly, this study carried out extensive numerical parametric studies to examine the variation of deformation modulus in different joint conditions and rock types under the condition of tunnel excavation. The study results were compared with existing empirical relationships and also shown in the chart of deformation modulus variation in different jointed rock mass conditions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.73-80
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• 2001

The shear strength of jointed rock is influenced by effective normal stress, joint wall compressive strength, joint roughness and so on. Since joint roughness makes considerable influences on shear strength of jointed rock, many studies tried to get quantitative joint roughness parameter. Until now, Joint Roughness Coefficient, JRC proposed by Barton has been prevalently used as a rock joint roughness parameter In spite of its disadvantages. In this study, a quantification of rock joint roughness is performed using surface roughness parameter, Rs. Proposed method is applied to rock core specimens, field joint surfaces, and JRC profiles. The scale of fluctuation is introduced to extend the suggested method to the large scale field joint surface roughness. Based on the quantification of joint surface roughness, joint shear tests are performed with the portable shear box. The relationship between joint surface roughness and joint shear strength is investigated and finally, a rock joint shear strength equation is derived from these results. The equation has considerable credibility and originality in that it is obtained from laboratory tests and expressed with quantified parameter.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.1089-1094
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• 2004

Numerical methods to estimate behaviors of jointed rock mass can be roughly divided into two method : discontinuous model and continuum model. Generally, distinct element method (DEM) is applied in discontinuous model, and finite element method (FEM) or finite difference method (FDM) is utilized in continuum model. To predict a behavior of discontinuous model by DEM, it is essential to understand characteristics of joints developed in rock mass through field tests. However, results of field tests can not provide full information about rock mass because field tests is conducted in limited area. In this paper, discontinuous analysis by UDEC and continuous analysis by FLAC is utilized to estimate a behavior of a tunnel in jointed rock mass. For including discontinuous analysis in continuous analysis, joints in rock mass is considered by reducing rock mass properties obtained by RMR and decreasing shear strength of rock mass. By comparing and revising two analysis results, analysis results similar with practical behavior of a tunnel can be induced and appropriate support system is decided.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.59-69
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• 2015

This study examined the magnitude and distribution of earth pressure on the support system in a jointed rock mass due to the different joint sets as well as varying the rock type and joint condition (joint shear strength and joint inclination angle). Based on a physical model test and its numerical simulation, a series of numerical parametric analyses were conducted using a discrete element method. The results showed that the induced earth pressure was affected significantly by a joint set depending on the inclusion of the joint inclination angle, which induces a joint sliding condition, but the number of joint sets alone was not important, even though the earth pressure could be increased slightly as the number of joint sets is increased. In addition, the study results were compared with Peck's earth pressure for soil ground, which indicated that the earth pressure in a jointed rock mass could be considerably different from that in soil ground. The study suggests that the effects of joint sets as well as rock type and joint condition are important factors affecting the earth pressure in a jointed rock mass and they should be considered when designing a support system in a jointed rock mass.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.287-295
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• 1998

Limit equilibrium method is widely used for the stability analysis of soil slopes. In jointed rock slopes however, the failure of the slope is largely dependent upon the strength and deformability of the joints in the rock mass and quite often failure occurs along the joints. This paper describes the use of ubiquitous joint model for the stability analysis of the jointed rock slopes. This model is essentially an anisotropic elasto-plastic model and can simulate two sets of joint in arbitrary orientations. Validation of the developed with the factor of safety equal to unity was selected when the shape of the failure plane is assumed log spiral. Then the factor of safety of the rock slope having two perpendicular joint sets was calculated while rotating joint orientations. Rusults were compared with limit equilibrium solutions on soil slopes having equivalent soil properties when plane sliding was assumed. Developed model predicted the factor of safety of jointed rock slope in a reasonable accuracy when joint spacing is sufficiently small.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.17-26
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• 2014

Tunneling-induced displacement in a jointed rock mass is an important factor to control tunnel stability and to secure a demanded space and construction quality. The magnitude of the inducible displacements is significantly affected by an elastic modulus and therefore, in a rock mass where a joint controls tunnel behavior, it is very important to estimate an elastic modulus of jointed rock mass reliably. Elastic modulus of jointed rock mass is affected by many factors such as rock type, joint condition, and loading condition. Nevertheless, most existing studies were focused on rough empirical relationships based on compressive loading conditions, which are different from tunnel excavation loading conditions, without a systematic approach of rock, joint, and loading conditions together. Therefore, this study considered rock and joint conditions systematically to estimate an elastic modulus of jointed rock mass under tunnel excavation loading. The controlled factors considered in this study are rock types and joint conditions (joint shear strength, joint inclination angle, number of joint sets, and joint spacing). Numerical parametric studies have been carried out with a consideration of different rock and joint conditions; the results have been compared with existing empirical relationships; and charts of elastic modulus change of different rock and joint conditions have been provided. The results are expected to have a great practical use for estimating the convergence induced by tunnel excavation in jointed rockmass.