• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.483-498
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• 2015

This article describes a new in-situ load test called the Hydraulic Cylinder Test (HCT) and its application to determine the geotechnical properties of soil-rock mixtures. The main advantages of the test are its easy implementation, speed of execution and low-cost. This article provides a detailed description of the equipment and the test procedure, and examines a case study of its application to determine the geotechnical properties of an earth-filled dam for a tailings pond. The containment dams of the ponds are made from blocks of gypsum and marl, obtained from the excavation of the ponds, mixed in a matrix of sands and clays. The size of the rocks varies between 1 and 30 cm. The HCT is particularly useful for determining the geotechnical properties of this type of soil-rock mixture. Nine HCTs were carried out to determine its strength (c, ${\phi}$) and deformation (B, G) properties. The results obtained were validated using the Bim strength criterion, recently proposed, and some pressure meter tests carried out beforehand. The properties obtained are used to analyze the stability of the dam using computer simulations and a modification to its design is proposed.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.161-184
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• 2001

Rock masses usually contain such features as bedding planes, faults, fissures, fractures, joints and other mechanical defects which, although formed from a wide range of geological processes, posses the common characteristics of low shear strength, negligible tensile strength and high fluid conductivity compared with the surrounding rock material. In the engineering context here, the discontinuities can be the single most important factor governing the deformability, strength and permeability of the rock mass. Moreover, a particularly large and persistent discontinuity could critically affect the stability of any surface or underground excavation. For these reasons, it is necessary to develop a thorough understanding of the geometrical, mechanical and hydrological properties of discontinuities and the way in which these will affect rock mechanics and hence rock engineering.

• Proceedings of the KSEG Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.109-114
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• 2002

Development of a three-dimensional mine visualization model for a section of the mine is addressed first. Discontinuity orientation and location information was taken from this visualization model for use in slope stability analyses. Estimated shear strength properties of discontinuities and mechanical properties of intact rock from the rock mass samples obtained from the mine are discussed next. The third part of the paper is focused on the results obtained for maximum safe slope angles for the section considered of the mine based on block theory analysis conducted under only the gravitational forces using the mapped discontinuities at the mine. Finally, the effects of water that exist in the rock mass, a tension crack, slope face inclination, overall wedge height and double benching on factor of safety of wedge stability are illustrated through limit equilibrium slope stability analyses conducted on a single tetrahedral wedge belonging to potential key block category that exist in the investigated area of the mine.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.276-283
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• 2012

Changes in rock properties due to freezing and thawing cycles ranging from $-20^{\circ}C$ to $10^{\circ}C$ were checked for the typical Korean rocks: granite (weathered), limestone, sandstone, tuff, shale and basalt. The porosity, seismic velocity, shore hardness and specific gravity were measured every 10 cycles for each type of rock up to 40 cycles. The specific gravity was rarely changed. Granite (w), shale and basalt decreased gradually in their shore hardness and seismic velocity values, these values for limestone, sandstone and tuff changed only a very little. The porosity increased in the granite (w), shale and basalt, whereas in the others it did not change. Due to the low tensile strength with high porosity, granite (w), shale and basalt were susceptible to the F-T cycles. A linear regression equation was calculated based on the experiment results according to properties and types of rock. The relationship between the freeze-thaw sensitivity (=initial porosity/initial tensile strength) and the coefficients of the regression equation was examined. With additional experimental data, the coefficients of the regression equation can be estimated using the F-T sensitivity. This makes it possible to predict the properties of rock as affected by freeze-thaw weathering by only measuring the initial properties without knowledge of the regression equation coefficients for each type of rock.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.298-305
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• 1996

Grouting technique is frequently used where a tunnel structure is passing through the shallow overburden area or where the thickness of hard rock above the tunnel is rather thin. However, engineering background on design process of the grout reinforcement does not seem to be fully understood until now. Mechanics of composite material is, therefore, introduced in this study to investigate the orthotropic material properties of the composites containing soil(or rock) and grouting material. These orthotropic material properties can be used to represent the reinfocement effects quantitatively. The model developed in this study is next applied to a typical tunnel structure and the grouting effect is analyzed numerically. The idea used in this study can be expanded to a situation where a pipe roofing or a forepoling technique is adopted and a simplified design procedure, similar to the model model introduced in this study, can be developed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.182-189
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• 2001

Rockmass properties have great influence on blasting performance so that it cannot be overemphasized to analyze rockmass properties and to perform blast design based on them. Up to the present, however blast design is performed either considering only uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock or using RMR classification as a blast ability classification scheme. In this paper Ashby's approach is adopted to evaluate blast index. In addition. rockmass classification for the blast design based on joint survey results and pattern design procedure are added to Ashby's original approach. With this extended approach, blastability can be classified considering joint properties and objectiveness of evaluated blast index can be confirmed. This approach is anticipated to enhance the tunnel blast design by considering joint properties and classifying the rockmass for blast design.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.221-232
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• 1990

Upon the basis of the measurements of index properties and ultrasonic velocities as well as the determination of degree of weathering mainly based on microscopic observation, relatively fare correlation has been found between the degrees of weathering and the physical properties of rocks, particularly between degrees of weathering and maximun water content. A significantly better correlation has been obtained between degree of weathering and P wave velocity by grouping rock samples according to rock facies. This study presented the range of physical parameters corresponding to each degree of weathering in granites.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.27-39
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• 2016

This study statistically investigates relationships between physical properties of rocks and topography by measuring and analyzing section, topographical and measured parameters of 58 bedrock outcrops at areas covered by gneiss, schist, granite, andesite, sandstone and limestone in the Korean Peninsula. Multiple linear regression analysis suggests that the joint spacing, joint continuity, weathering grade and maximum joint width of rocks among the measured parameters are related to the topographical parameters with statistical significances. Therefore, this study suggests that rock properties such as joint spacing, joint continuity, weathering grade and maximum joint width seem to greatly influence topography, although various factors can affect topographical parameters.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.535-547
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• 2022

Failure patterns of rock specimens represent valuable information about the mechanical properties and crack evolution mechanism of rock. Several kinds of research have been conducted regarding the failure mechanism of brittle material, however; the influence of brittleness on the failure mechanism of rock specimens has not been precisely considered. In the present study, experimental and numerical examinations have been made to evaluate the physical and mechanical phenomena associated with rock failure mechanisms through the uniaxial compression test. In the experimental part, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests equipped with Acoustic Emission (AE) have been conducted on rock samples with three different brittleness. Then, the numerical models have been calibrated based on experimental test results for further investigation and comparing the micro-cracking process in experimental and numerical models. It can be perceived that the failure mode of specimens with high brittleness is tensile axial splitting, based on the experimental evidence of rock specimens with different brittleness. Also, the crack growth mechanism of the rock specimens with various brittleness using discrete element modeling in the numerical part suggested that the specimens with more brittleness contain more tensile fracture during the loading sequences.