• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.29-41
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• 2023

The brittleness of rocks plays an important role in determining the fragmentation and failure behavior of rock. However, there is still no standard method to evaluate the brittleness of rock, and previous studies have suggested the several definitions for estimation of brittleness of rock. Even in the process of mechanical rock excavation and drilling, the brittleness of rock is considered as an important property for evaluating the excavation efficiency of mechanical excavators or boreability of rock. The previous studies have been carried out to investigate the correlation between different brittleness of rock and cutting efficiency and boreability of rock. This study introduced a method for calculating the brittleness of rock from punch penetration test, and analyzed the correlation between the brittleness of rock calculated by the uniaxial compressive and Brazilian tensile strengths and that from punch penetration test. From the results of correlation analysis, the relationship between various brittleness was confirmed, and it was found that PSI and BI₃ showed a good correlation with the strength-based brittleness index. In addition, the results indicated that B₃ and B₄ are suitable to represent the brittleness of rock in the field of mechanical rock excavation.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.179-194
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• 2021

In this paper, to study the stability of surrounding rock during roadway excavation in different rock mass structures, the physical model test for roadway excavation process in three types of intact rock mass, layered rock mass and massive rock mass were carried out by using the self-developed two-dimensional simulation testing system of complex underground engineering. Firstly, based on the engineering background of a deep mine in eastern China, the similar materials of the most appropriate ratio in line with the similarity theory were tested, compared and determined. Then, the physical models of four different schemes with 1000 mm (height) × 1000 mm (length) × 250 mm (width) were constructed. Finally, the roadway excavation was carried out after applying boundary conditions to the physical model by the simulation testing system. The results indicate that the supporting effect of rockbolts has a great influence on the shallow surrounding rock, and the rock mass structure can affect the overall stability of the surrounding rock. Furthermore, the failure mechanism and bearing capacity of surrounding rock were further discussed from the comparison of stress evolution characteristics, distribution of stress arch, and failure modes in different schemes.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

In this study, the characteristics of a new rock cracking method using steam pressure are briefly presented. The rock cracking method was originally developed as a means to decrease the ground vibrations from underground rock excavations. The validation tests were also conducted by applying the method to an actual rock tunnel under construction. The ground vibrations were measured in the vicinity of the test site. The measured vibration results were compared with the values predicted by an attenuation equation, which had been proposed by a company in Japan. Also, a simple cost assessment for the method was conducted to demonstrate its cost effectiveness in underground tunnel excavations.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.14 no.6 s.53
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• pp.429-439
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• 2004

The deep underground High Level Waste (HLW) repository to dispose of 36,000tons of spent fuel from the reactors in Korea needs about $4km^2$ repository area. In this study, the deep undergrond repository layout was optimized to minimize the excavation rock volume as well as underground repository area. In the optimization, the results from thermal analysis were used to define the influence of tunnel and deposition hole spacings on repository layout. The repository area and excavation rock volume could be reduced with longer disposal tunnel length. When it is necessary to reduce the repository area with satisfying thermal criteria, it is better to reduce tunnel spacing and increase deposition hole spacing. In contrast, the excavation rock volume can be reduced by increasing the tunnel spacing and decreasing the hole spacing.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2009

Large scale model tests and numerical analyses were performed in order to investigate the stress distribution on the base of pillar during two-arch tunnel excavation in the regularly jointed rocks. It was observed that the stress was irregularly distributed on pillar and the angle of discontinuities seriously influenced on the stress distribution on the pillar base in the discontinuous rock mass. In the numerical analyses results, It was shown that the stress level of pillar was greatly changed depending on the excavation sequences of two-arch tunnel. It was also observed that stress distributed eccentrically at the pillar as well as at the base of pillar. It is necessary to consider this point for the design of two-arch tunnel.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.148-156
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• 2019

In urban area, the use of mechanical excavators (e.g., TBM and roadheader) has been increasing in construction of tunnelling and underground space. The undercutting technology, which is modified from the conventional rock-cutting concept, has been developed by advanced countries. Therefore, research on the latest technology of mechanical excavation is required, and keeping carrying out research on conventional mechanical tunneling methods at the same time. In this study, as a fundamental study of the undercutting technique, the principle and concept of the undercutting were introduced, as well as the current status of the research of advanced countries. The undercutting is applicable as a full-face excavation method for the tunnels and underground spaces, as well as an auxiliary(partial-face excavation) method for extension of the existing tunnels.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2024

In the realm of rock excavation projects, precise estimation of the drilling rate index stands as a pivotal factor in strategic planning and cost assessment. This study introduces and evaluates two pioneering computational intelligence models designed for the prognostication of the drilling rate index, a pivotal parameter with direct implications for cost estimation in rock excavation projects. These models, denoted as the Relevance Vector Regression (RVR) optimized with the Invasive Weed Optimization algorithm (IWO) (RVR-IWO model) and the RVR integrated with the Shuffled Frog Leaping algorithm (SFL) (RVR-SFL model), represent a groundbreaking approach to forecasting drilling rate index. The RVR-IWO and RVR-SFL models were meticulously devised to harness the capabilities of computational intelligence and optimization techniques for drilling rate index estimation. This research pioneers the integration of IWO and SFL with RVR, constituting an unprecedented effort in forecasting drilling rate index. The primary objective of this study was to gauge the precision and dependability of these models in forecasting the drilling rate index, revealing significant distinctions between the two. In terms of predictive precision, the RVR-IWO model emerged as the superior choice when compared to the RVR-SFL model, underscoring the remarkable efficacy of the Invasive Weed Optimization algorithm. The RVR-IWO model delivered noteworthy results, boasting a Variance Account for (VAF) of 0.8406, a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.0114, and a Squared Correlation Coefficient (R²) of 0.9315. On the contrary, the RVR-SFL model exhibited slightly lower precision, yielding an MSE of 0.0160, a VAF of 0.8205, and an R2 of 0.9120. These findings serve to highlight the potential of the RVR-IWO model as a formidable instrument for drilling rate index prediction, particularly within the framework of rock excavation projects. This research not only makes a significant contribution to the realm of drilling engineering but also underscores the broader adaptability of the RVR-IWO model in tackling an array of challenges within the domain of rock engineering. Ultimately, this study advances the comprehension of drilling rate index estimation and imparts valuable insights into the practical implementation of computational intelligence methodologies within the realm of engineering projects.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.55-77
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• 2012

A Modern Rock TBM is a tunnel excavation method combining the conventional tunnelling method with the mechanized tunnelling method. It is a hybrid system that excavates a tunnel with TBM and supports the ground by ring beam, wire mesh, rock bolt, shotcrete, i.e., conventional tunnelling method. In the Modern Rock TBM, a ring beam is similar to a steel rib in NATM in the way that uses H-beam. But using a ring beam is more effective than a steel rib because it is installed in a closed-circle. Therefore, improving the performance of the ring beam is a key factor for achieving tunnel stability. In this respect, this study introduces a pressurized ring beam that might be functioning more effectively by confining convergence during tunnel excavation. In order to verify the effect of the pressurized ring beam, a three-dimensional numerical analysis was conducted. The numerical analysis confirms an increase in the minimum principal stress and reduction in the plastic strain that triggers excessive displacement. The analysis result also indicates a decrease in the relative displacement occurring after installing the ring beam, and expansion in spacing between the ring beams.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.239-248
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• 2020

Exact rock classification helps suitable support patterns to be installed. Face mapping is usually conducted to classify the rock mass using RMR (Rock Mass Ration) or Q values. There have been several attempts to predict the grade of rock mass using mechanical data of jumbo drills or probe drills and photographs of excavation surfaces by using deep learning. However, they took long time, or had a limitation that it is impossible to grasp the rock grade in ahead of the tunnel surface. In this study, a method to predict the Q value ahead of excavation surface is developed using recurrent neural network (RNN) technique and it is compared with the Q values from face mapping for verification. Among Q values from over 4,600 tunnel faces, 70% of data was used for learning, and the rests were used for verification. Repeated learnings were performed in different number of learning and number of previous excavation surfaces utilized for learning. The coincidence between the predicted and actual Q values was compared with the root mean square error (RMSE). RMSE value from 600 times repeated learning with 2 prior excavation faces gives a lowest values. The results from this study can vary with the input data sets, the results can help to understand how the past ground conditions affect the future ground conditions and to predict the Q value ahead of the tunnel excavation face.

• Geotechnical Engineering
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 1993

In deep excavations for creation of underground spaces, it would be difficult to predict earth pressure, especially multilayered ground including rock strata. The earth pressures and displacements on the retention walls are measured by load cell, strain gauge and inclinometer which were installed at struts or anchors at 4 deep excavation sites in Seoul area. In this paper, the measured earth pressure from the struts or anchors are compared with Peck's empirical values, and the coefficient of the earth pressures for each strata and horizontal wall displacement are investigated. The coefficient of earth pressure distribution, a(0.65zka), in the flexible and the rigid walls was about 74% and 88% of Peck's value respecitively. The measured earth pressure distributions for the 4 sites showed about 70%∼80% of Peck's empirical values and the average earth pressure coefficients based on the measured data were 0.3 for the felted layer, 0.23 for the weathered rock and 0.19 for the weak rock. The maximum w리1 displacements were found to be less 0.2% of excavation depth.