• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2024

Determination of jointed rock mass properties plays a significant role in the design and construction of underground structures such as tunneling and mining. Rock mass classification systems such as Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Rock Mass Index (RMi), Rock Mass Quality (Q), and deformation modulus (Em) are determined from the jointed rock masses. However, parameters of jointed rock masses can be affected by the tunnel depth below the surface due to the effect of the in situ stresses. In addition, the geomechanical properties of rocks change due to the effect of metamorphism. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to apply correlation analysis to investigate the relationships between rock mass properties and some parameters related to the depth of the tunnel studied. For this purpose, the field work consisted of determining rock mass parameters in a tunnel alignment (~7.1 km) at varying depths from 21 m to 431 m below ground surface. At the same excavation depths, thirty-seven rock types were also sampled and tested in the laboratory. Correlations were made between vertical stress and depth, horizontal/vertical stress ratio (k) and depth, k and Em, k and RMi, k and point load index (PLI), k and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), Em and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), UCS and PLI, UCS and BTS. Relationships were significant (significance level=0.000) at the confidence interval of 95% (r = 0.77-0.88) between the data pairs for the rocks taken from depths greater than 166 m where the ratio of horizontal to vertical stress is between 0.6 and 1.2. The in-situ stress parameters affected rock mass properties as well as metamorphism which affected the geomechanical properties of rock materials by affecting the behavior of minerals and textures within rocks. This study revealed that in-situ stress parameters and metamorphism should be reviewed when tunnel studies are carried out.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.243-252
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• 2017

Since the failure behavior of transversely isotropic rocks is significantly different from that of isotropic rocks, it is necessary to develop a transversely isotropic rock failure function in order to evaluate the stability of rock structures constructed in transversely isotropic rock masses. In this study, a spatial distribution function for strength parameters of transversely isotropic rocks is proposed, which is based on the Cassini oval curve proposed by 17th century astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini to model the orbit of the Sun around the Earth. The proposed distribution function consists of two model parameters which could be identified through triaxial compression tests on transversely isotropic rock samples. The original Mohr-Coulomb (M-C) failure function is extended to a three-dimensional transversely isotropic M-C failure function by employing the proposed strength parameter distribution function for the spatial distributions of the friction angle and cohesion. In order to verify the suitability of the transversely isotropic M-C failure function, both the conventional triaxial compression and true triaxial compression tests of transversely isotropic rock samples are simulated. The predicted results from the numerical experiments are consistent with the failure behavior of transversely isotropic rocks observed in the actual laboratory tests. In addition, the simulated result of true triaxial compression tests hints that the dependence of rock strength on intermediate principal stress may be closely related to the distribution of the microstructures included in the rock samples.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.77-91
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• 2003

The Hoek-Brown failure criterion for rock masses developed first in 1980 is widely accepted and has been applied in a variety of rock engineering problems including slope analyses. The failure criterion was modified over the years because rock mass strength by the original failure criterion in 1980 was overestimated. The modified failure criterion, named Generalized Hoek-Brown Failure Criterion, was proposed with a new classification called the Geological Strength Index(GSI) in 1994. Generally, Hoek-Brown failure criterion is applied in numerical analyses of rock mass behaviors using equivalent Mohr-Coulomb parameters estimated by linear regression method. But these parameters estimated by this method have some inaccuracies to be applied and to be incorporated into numerical models and limit equilibrium programs. The most important issue is that this method cannot take account of non-linear characteristics of Hoek-Brown criterion, therefore, equivalent Mohr-Coulomb parameters is used as constant values regardless of field stress distribution in rock masses. In this study, the numerical analysis on rock slope stability considering non-linear characteristics of Hoek-Brown failure criterion was carried out. Futhermore, by the latest Hoek-Brown failure criterion in 2002, the revised estimating method of equivalent Mohr-Coulomb parameters was applied and rock mass damage criterion is introduced to account for the strength reduction due to stress relaxation and blast damge in slope stability.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2010.03a
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• pp.1324-1333
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• 2010

This paper is used in a recent civil engineering field in three-dimensional laser-meter tiles using thermal imaging cameras for the weathered rock slopes precisely measured indirectly, to the degree that began in the will. In the field is difficult to access the degree of weathering of the rock slope to the existing direct way to compensate for the shortcomings of 3D Terrestrial Laser Scanner and weathering characteristics of rocks using thermal imaging cameras to get the information to analyze the degree of rock weathering is. Intensity of 3D TLS and the thermal camera with image analysis to analyze the degree of weathering of bedrock in the field of core drilling targeting indoor laboratory tests were analyzed through the study. Granite, gneiss, sandstone, much of the cancerous samples, each experiment has a 40 per category, each of which 30 were used to analyze the data collected. That degree of rock weathering, the rock, depending on the strength of the Intensity values can change, depending on the level of thermal imaging camera, also weathered the changes in temperature could see. Intensity is the strength of weak rocks, the more value decrease, the temperature of the thermal imaging camera through the swell Intensity and notice that the temperature had an inverse relationship. Intensity value of the low strength of weak rock, but the value came out of the rocks have been proved to be largely dependent on the contrast. The contrast of the surface rocks are weathered dark Intensity values lower temperature to swell the contrary, the degree of weathering can be distinguished.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.65-73
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• 2012

Soil-rock interface, mainly founded in Granite region of Korea, is known as one of the important factor of the slope failure at the rainfall due to smaller shear strength than soil itself. However, research of the effect on slope stability by soil-rock interfaces is insufficient. Therefore, a series of direct shear tests were performed in order to investigate the effect of soil-rock interface on slope stability. The method of tests is to get sand itself and sand-artificial rock interface shear strength from different grain size of sands and artificial rock samples. The results of tests show that the friction angle of interface depends primarily on particle size and surface roughness. Interface friction angle ratio ${\mu}(={\delta}/{\Phi})$ is in the range of 0.75 ~ 0.96, this results indicate that interface friction angle is smaller than sand itself.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.559-565
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• 2000

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.317-327
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• 2024

When a non-persistent joint system is formed in a large-scale rock slope, slope failure may occur due to presence of a the stepped sliding surface. Such a surface can be divided into joint-to-joint sliding surfaces or joint-to-rock bridge sliding surfaces. In the latter case, the rock bridge provides shear resistance parallel to the joint and tensile resistance perpendicular to the joint. The load of the sliding rock can lead to failure of the rock bridge, thereby connecting the two joints at each ends of the bridge and resulting in step-path failure of the slope. If each rock bridge on a slope has the same length, the tensile strength is lower than the shear strength, resulting in the rock bridges oriented perpendicular to the joint being more prone to failure. In addition, the smaller the ratio of discontinuity spacing to length, the greater the likelihood of step-path failure. To assess the risk of stepped sliding on a rock slope with non-persistent joints, stability analysis can be performed using limit equilibrium analysis or numerical analysis. This involves constructing a step-path failure surface through a systematic discontinuity survey and analysis.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.319-334
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• 2024

The current theories on the interaction between surrounding rock and support in deep-buried tunnels do not consider the form of pre-reinforcement support or the flexibility of primary support, leading to a discrepancy between theoretical solutions and practical applications. To address this gap, a comprehensive mechanical model of the tunnel with pre-reinforced rock was established in this study. The equations for internal stress, displacement, and the radius of the plastic zone in the surrounding rock were derived. By understanding the interaction mechanism between flexible support and surrounding rock, the three-dimensional construction analysis solution of the tunnel could be corrected. The validity of the proposed model was verified through numerical simulations. The results indicate that the reduction of pre-deformation significantly influences the final support pressure. The pre-reinforcement support zone primarily inhibits pre-deformation, thereby reducing the support pressure. The support pressure mainly affects the accelerated and uniform movement stage of the surrounding rock. The generation of support pressure is linked to the deformation of the surrounding rock during the accelerated movement stage. Furthermore, the strength of the pre-reinforcement zone of the surrounding rock and the strength of the shotcrete have opposite effects on the support pressure. The parameters of the pre-reinforcement zones and support materials can be optimized to achieve a balance between surrounding rock deformation, support pressure, cost, and safety. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for predicting the deformation of surrounding rock and support pressure during the dynamic construction of deep-buried weak rock tunnels. These findings can guide engineers in improving the construction process, ensuring better safety and cost-effectiveness.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2003.03a
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• pp.95-102
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• 2003

Corestone rock mass has complex characters because it is made up of stronger and stiffer corestone in a weaker and softer matrix. Physical model corestone rock mass made up of stiffer corestone in weaker matrix were tested in uniaxial compression and numercal modelling analysis The result of the uniaxial compression tests showed that increasing the corestone proportion generally increased the modulus of deformation. And the strength decreased in the lower corestone proportion, but it increased in the higher proportion(45%, 65% corestone by volume). The strength and the modulus of deformation were not affected by different size coretone on the same proportion. The result of the numerical modelling analysis showed similar trend compared with the result of the result of the uniaxial compression test. But though the result of th uniaxial compression test is similar to the result of the numerical modelling analysis, it's unreasonalble to apply the results of this paper to in situ corestone rock mass. So mere laboratory tests including triaxial test and the other numerical program analyses are necessary to apply the results to in situ corestone mass

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 1997

Residual shear strength should be taken into consideration as well as peak one when analysing stability of slopes constituted by weathered rock or overconsolidated soils since such materials could be subjected to progressive failure mechanism. When landslide of a slope is related to progressive failure phenomenon, the failure might occur even though shear strength of the slope materials does not reach their residual shear strength over the whole slip surface. Therefore, stability of the slope concerned may be overstimated or underestimated when using only its peak or residual shear srength parameters. Mechanical description for progressive failure phenomenon is given by Bjerrum(1967). In parameters. Mechanical description for progressive failure phenomenon is given by Bjerrum(1967). In this study, his theory has been extended to estimate the distance of failed zone for a plane slope and the results calculated by this extended equatio has been compared with that obtained by numerical modelling using FLAC. In addition, stress state on the slip surface has been, in detail, analysed to understand failure mechanism when a limited progressive failure occurs. Effects of mechanical and hydraulic factors on progressive failure have also been analysed.