• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.221-234
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• 1999

This paper deals with the application of joint element in the finite element modeling of discontinuities encountered during rock tunneling. A nodal displacement joint element was implemented in a two dimensional finite element program GEOFE2D. The applicability of the joint element for modeling of discontinuities and the numerical stability of the implemented algorithm were examined by comparing the results of reduced small scale model tests as well as commercially available FEM program. The GEOFE2D was then used to analyze a tunnel crossed by a major discontinuity for the purpose of understanding the effect of discontinuity on the tunnel behavior. In addition, a modeling technique for the junction of discontinuity and shotcrete lining was presented. The results of analysis indicated that the stress-strain field around the tunnel is significantly altered by the presence of discontinuity, and that the stresses in the shotcrete lining considerably increase at the junction of the shotcrete lining and the discontinuity. It is therefore concluded that the major discontinuities must be carefully modeled in the finite element analysis of a tunneling problem in order to obtain more reliable results close to actual tunnel behavior.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 2008

In the case of a circular shaft, it is expected that asymmetric loads should apply on the surface rather than symmetric loads due to geographical factors and the non-homogeneity of the jointed rock masses. In this study, discontinuous numerical analysis was carried in order to analyze the characteristics of asymmetric load distribution on the wall of the circular shaft due to anisotropy caused by heterogeneity of rock masses affected by the discontinuities like as a Joint. And it was also analyzed that the effect of the mechanical properties varied with the rock mass rating and horizontal stress with depth had influence in the asymmetric load on the wall of the shaft. In the case of considering the effect of the joint as variable, asymmetric load ratio $(R_p)$, which was defined as the ratio of the load subtracted minimum from maximum to minimum, was below 25% in the hard rock. As regarding the variation of the rock mass rating with depth as variable, the value of $R_p$ was below than 25% in the hard rock, and the value between 30% and 40% in the soft rock. On the other hand, the $R_p$ of fractures rock was between $45{\sim}50%$ which value was much higher than that in better rock mass rating.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.2 s.55
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• pp.119-128
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• 2005

Although the evaluation of the mechanical properties and behavior of jointed rock masses is very important for the design of tunnel and underground openings, it has always been considered the most difficult problem. One of the difficulties in describing the rock mass behavior is the selection of the appropriate constitutive model. This limitation may be overcome with the progress in discrete element software such as PFC, which does not need the user to prescribe a constitutive model for rock mass. In this paper, a 30\;m\;\times\;30\;m\;\times\;30\;m m jointed rock mass of road tunnel site was analyzed. h discrete fracture network was developed from the joint geometry obtained from core logging and surface survey. Using the discontinuities geometry from the DFN model, PFC simulations were carried out, starting with the intact rock and systematically adding the joints and the stress-strain response was recorded for each case. With the stress-strain response curves, the mechanical properties of jointed rock masses were determined. As expected, the presence of joints had a pronounced effect on mechanical properties of the rock mass. More importantly, getting the mechanical response of the PFC model doesn't require a user specified constitutive model.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.442-456
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• 2018

Scaled model tests were performed to evaluate the reinforcement effect of rock bolts in anisotropic rock mass. For this purpose, two tunnel cases were experimented which had different tunnel sizes, rock strengths, anisotropic angles and coefficients of lateral pressure. The fully grouted rock bolts of the D25 deformed bar were modeled as the basting pins with bead and were systematically installed at the roof and the side wall of the model tunnel. As results of the first case experimentations, the unsupported model showed initial crack at the roof of tunnel, but the supported model with rock bolts showed initial crack at the floor of tunnel where rock bolts were not installed. The crack initiating pressure and the maximum pressure of the supported model with rock bolts were 11% and 7% larger than those of the unsupported model, respectively. Moreover, the effect of the existing discontinuities in anisotropic rock mass on the fracture behavior of tunnel was reduced in the supported model, and so the reinforcement effect of rock bolt turned out to be experimentally verified. As results of the second case experimentations considering different support patterns, the crack initiating pressures of models were larger and the reduction ratios of tunnel area according to applied load were smaller as the length and the quantity of rock bolts were larger. Therefore, it was found that the performance of the rock bolts turned out to be improved as they were larger.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.85-97
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• 2019

It can be observed that steep slopes ($65^{\circ}$ to $80^{\circ}$) consist of rock masses were kept stable for a long time. In rock-mass slopes with similar ground condition, steeper slopes than 1 : 0.5 ($63^{\circ}$) may be applied if the discontinuities of rock-mass slope are distributed in a direction favorable to the stability of the slope. In making a decision the angle of the slope, if the preliminary rock mass conditions applicable to steep slope are quantitatively setup, they may be used as guidance in design practice. In this study, the above rock mass was defined as a good continuum rock mass and the quantitative setup criterion range was proposed using RMR, SMR and GSI classifications for the purpose of providing engineering standard for good continuum rock mass conditions. The methods of study are as follows. The stable slope at steep slopes ($65^{\circ}$ to $80^{\circ}$) for each rock type was selected as the study area, and RMR, SMR and GSI were classified to reflect the face mapping results. The results were reviewed by applying the calculated shear strength to the stable analysis of the current state of rock mass slope using the Hoek-Brown failure criterion. It is intended to verify the validity of the preliminary criterion as a rock mass condition that remains stable on a steep slope. Based on the analysis and review by the above research method, it was analyzed that a good continuum rock mass slope can be set to Basic RMR ${\geq}50$ (45 in sedimentary rock), GSI and SMR ${\geq}45$. The safety factor of the LEM is between Fs = 14.08 and 67.50 (average 32.9), and the displacement of the FEM is 0.13 to 0.64 mm (average 0.27 mm). This can be seen as a result of quantitative representation and verification of the stability of a good continuum rock mass slope that has been maintained stable for a long period of time with steep slopes ($65^{\circ}$ to $80^{\circ}$). The setup guideline for a good continuum rock mass slope will be able to establish a more detailed setup standard when the data are accumulated, and it is also a further study project. If stable even on steep slopes of 1 : 0.1 to 0.3, the upper limit of steep slopes is 1 : 0.3 with reference to the overseas design standards and report, thus giving the benefit of ensuring economic and eco-friendlyness. Also, the development of excavation technology and plantation technology and various eco-friendly slope design techniques will help overcome psychological anxiety and rapid weathering and relaxation due to steep slope construction.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.287-295
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• 2008

Rock slope has a variety of irregular discontinuities and represents a discontinuous mass. Rock joint plays an important role of control hydraulic and mechanic movements in the rock mass. These characteristics between hydraulic and mechanic movements at the rock joints could be represent difference. Therefore they are quiet important factor for slope design. In this study the weathered rock slopes were carried out to analysis of slope stability and geophysical survey. The electrical resistivity survey with dipole-dipole array conducted five profiling sites, and SWEDGE and SLIDE for slope stability analysis were applied on 20 rock slopes far assessment of slope stability and understand to geological situations due to the weathering.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.497-505
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• 2000

The surveyed area is mainly distributed by the sedimentary rocks, tuffs, and esites in Cretaceous age and acidic and basic dikes are intruded in these rocks. The principle discontinuities are represented by beddings, joints and faults. The trends of the beddings of sedimentary rocks develop as E-W direction in the start area. However, they are gradually bending and finally their trends are N-S direction in terminal area. In the sedimentary rocks the 3∼4 joint sets are distributed and in dikes joints are more scattered. The majority of joints are highly dipped. Sampo fault which has NE-SW trend makes a valley and NW trending normal faults are well developed at 50k+600 to 51k+000 area. During the construction of tunnel the orientation of discontinuities will not significantly influence on the stability of excavation. Since the rock mass is extensively jointed, the overbreak in tunnel wall may be placed.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.205-217
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• 2006

Rock and discontinuities are main factors consisting of a rock mass and the physical properties of each factor have direct effects on the mechanical stability of artificial structures in the rock mass. Because physical properties of the rock and discontinuities change a lot according to the size of test materials, a close attention is needed when the physical properties, obtained from laboratory tests, are used for the design of field structures. In this study, change of physical properties of intact materials due to the change of their size are studied. Six kinds of artificial materials including crystal, instead of an intact rock, are adopted for the study to guarantee the homogeneity of specimen materials even with relatively large size. Uniaxial strength and Young's modulus of each artificial material are checked out for a size effect and compared with the predicted values by Buckingham's theorem - dimensional analysis. A numerical analysis using PFC (Particle Flow Code) is also applied and primary factors influencing on the size effect are investigated.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.5-19
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• 2019

Considering the natural phenomenon in which steep slopes ($65^{\circ}{\sim}85^{\circ}$) consisting of rock mass remain stable for decades, slopes steeper than 1:0.5 (the standard of slope angle for blast rock) may be applied in geotechnical conditions which are similar to those above at the design and initial construction stages. In the process of analysing the stability of a good to fair continuum rock slope that can be designed as a steep slope, a general method of estimating rock mass strength properties from design practice perspective was required. Practical and genealized engineering methods of determining the properties of a rock mass are important for a good continuum rock slope that can be designed as a steep slope. The Genealized Hoek-Brown (H-B) failure criterion and GSI (Geological Strength Index), which were revised and supplemented by Hoek et al. (2002), were assessed as rock mass characterization systems fully taking into account the effects of discontinuities, and were widely utilized as a method for calculating equivalent Mohr-Coulomb shear strength (balancing the areas) according to stress changes. The concept of calculating equivalent M-C shear strength according to the change of confining stress range was proposed, and on a slope, the equivalent shear strength changes sensitively with changes in the maximum confining stress (${{\sigma}^{\prime}}_{3max}$ or normal stress), making it difficult to use it in practical design. In this study, the method of estimating the strength properties (an iso-angle division method) that can be applied universally within the maximum confining stress range for a good to fair continuum rock mass slope is proposed by applying the H-B failure criterion. In order to assess the validity and applicability of the proposed method of estimating the shear strength (A), the rock slope, which is a study object, was selected as the type of rock (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary) on the steep slope near the existing working design site. It is compared and analyzed with the equivalent M-C shear strength (balancing the areas) proposed by Hoek. The equivalent M-C shear strength of the balancing the areas method and iso-angle division method was estimated using the RocLab program (geotechnical properties calculation software based on the H-B failure criterion (2002)) by using the basic data of the laboratory rock triaxial compression test at the existing working design site and the face mapping of discontinuities on the rock slope of study area. The calculated equivalent M-C shear strength of the balancing the areas method was interlinked to show very large or small cohesion and internal friction angles (generally, greater than $45^{\circ}$). The equivalent M-C shear strength of the iso-angle division is in-between the equivalent M-C shear properties of the balancing the areas, and the internal friction angles show a range of $30^{\circ}$ to $42^{\circ}$. We compared and analyzed the shear strength (A) of the iso-angle division method at the study area with the shear strength (B) of the existing working design site with similar or the same grade RMR each other. The application of the proposed iso-angle division method was indirectly evaluated through the results of the stability analysis (limit equilibrium analysis and finite element analysis) applied with these the strength properties. The difference between A and B of the shear strength is about 10%. LEM results (in wet condition) showed that Fs (A) = 14.08~58.22 (average 32.9) and Fs (B) = 18.39~60.04 (average 32.2), which were similar in accordance with the same rock types. As a result of FEM, displacement (A) = 0.13~0.65 mm (average 0.27 mm) and displacement (B) = 0.14~1.07 mm (average 0.37 mm). Using the GSI and Hoek-Brown failure criterion, the significant result could be identified in the application evaluation. Therefore, the strength properties of rock mass estimated by the iso-angle division method could be applied with practical shear strength.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.1 s.54
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• pp.28-38
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• 2005

According to the recent development of measurement system utilizing one or a set of boreholes, visualization of the explored underground became to be a major issue. It induced even the introduction of monitoring apparatuses on the borehole wall with multi-function tool, but the usage of these was often limited by where is unfavorable rock condition and a few of engineers can approach. And so, a portable type of borehole camera with only the essential function has been investigated and a few of commercial models about this is recently being applied into the field condition. This paper was based on the monitoring results obtained using a commercial model by Dr. Nakagawa. Discontinuities in rock mass were the topic for the visualization, and it was studied how can visualize their three dimensional distribution and what a numerical formulation is needed and how to understand the visualization result. The numerical formulation was based on the geometric correlation between the dip direction / dip of discontinuous plane and the trend / plunge of borehole, a set of the equation of a plane was induced. As field application of this into two places, it is found that the above visualization methodology will be especially an useful geotechlical tool for analyzing the local distribution of discontinuities.