• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.4 s.179
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• pp.451-471
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• 2006

Major projects and research topics in the field of rock mechanics are analyzed to obtain the following results: $\cdot$ Rock mechanics deals with the behavior of deformation, failure and displacement of the rock and rock mass on the basis of geological basics. Discontinuities in the rock mass are the most important parameters to control the behavior of rock mass around underground openings. $\cdot$ The objective of site investigation and testing is to determine the strength properties of the rock mass and the in situ stress regime. Specimens for laboratory and in situ tests are to be selected in order that the results of the tests give the representative properties oi the rock mass of the site in question. $\cdot$ The result of a numerical model would be better evaluated not quantitatively but qualitatively. The displacement behavior of the rock mass has to be monitored properly for the NATM (New Austrian Tunneling Method) principles. $\cdot$ The stability of rock slope is to be evaluated preferably by back analysis with strength parameters, such as cohesion and friction angle.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.198-205
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• 2003

We considered the variation of elastic wave velocity due to the anisotropy of rock materials and stress level for acoustic emission (AE) source location in cylindrical rock specimens. Elastic wave velocity and AE were measured for Keochang granite and Yeosan marble under various axial stresses and confining pressures. Partition approximation method was suggested and it was compared with the difference approximation method and the least square method.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.225-233
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to provide the geo-technical information by assessment of the in-situ rock strength using the reflected wave energy and travel time data acquired by the borehole acoustic scanner. In order to compare and analyze the relationship between the uniaxial compressive strength and the reflected wave energy, the laboratory test and the borehole acoustic scanning were conducted for the set of specimens, such as mortar, concrete, and rock samples which have different rock type. Finally, we verified the applicability of the reflected wave energy acquired by the borehole acoustic scanner to quantitatively estimate the in-situ rock strength.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.131-142
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• 2016

Investigation for rock joints, inspection for rock core, and laboratory tests for rock specimens, in this study, have been performed for identification of the extent and properties of Excavation Damaged Zone in a underground limestone mine, which plans to enlarge the size of openings to improve the production rate. Properties of EDZ and surrounding rock masses have been used numerically for discontinuum analysis, and it is concluded that the effect of EDZ can be increased with increasing the opening size and a blasting pattern of high precision can be suggested for the counterplan.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2000.09a
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• pp.55-61
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• 2000

For proper sampling of a rock and preparation of specimens, the representative elementary volume (REV) should be determined in rock mechanical test and numerical analysis. Mechanical properties of a rock, in general, would be strongly affected by mineral composition. In this reason REV of Youngju granite is determined by using stereoscopic microscope observation and homogenization numerical analysis. As the area of analysis model exceeds approximately 702 $ extrm{mm}^2$(900 elements), the change of the mineral composition is not observed. The calculated results indicate that Young's modulus is fluctuated with increase of the number of elements in homogenization numerical analysis mesh. However, as the number of elements exceeds 1156 (area of about 900 $ extrm{mm}^2$), Young's modulus does not change apparently.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.23-32
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• 2001

Rock masses are usually discontinuous in nature, as a result of various geological processes they have underdone and they contain rock joints and bridges. Crack propagation and coalescence processes mainly cause rock failures in tunnels. In this study, we focused on the crack initiation, propagation and coalescence process of rock materials containing two pre-existing open cracks arranged in different geometries. During uniaxial compression, wing crack initiation stress, wing crack propagation angle, and crack coalescence stress of Diastone gypsum and Yeosan Marble specimens were examined. And crack initiation, propagation, and coalescence processes were observed. Shear, tensile and mixed (shear+tensile) types of crack coalescence occurred. To compare the experimental results with Ashby & Hallam model, crack coalescence stress was normalized and it generally agreed with the experimental results.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.253-266
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• 2021

In this paper, we discuss a mathematical method for determining the return energy of the wave from the sample and comparing it with the mechanical energy consumed to change the dimension of the sample in the triaxial test of the rock. We represent a method to determine the mechanical energy and then we provide how to calculate the return energy of the wave. However, the static energy and pulse return energy will show higher amounts with axial pressure increase. Three types of clastic sedimentary rocks including sandstone, pyroclastic rock, and argillitic tuff were selected. The sandstone showed the highest strength, Young's modulus and ultrasonic P and S waves' velocities versus others in the triaxial test. Also, from the received P wavelet, the calculated pulse wave returning energy indicated the best correlation between axial stress compared to wave velocities in all specimens. The fact that the return energy decreases or increases is related to increasing lateral stress and depends on the geological characteristics of the rock. This method can be used to determine the stresses on the rock as well as its in-situ modulus in projects that are located at high depths of the earth.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.333-366
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• 2023

Rock as a mass generally exhibits discontinuities, commonly witnessed in rock slopes and underground structures like tunnels, rock pillars etc. When these discontinuities experiences loading, a new crack emerges from them which later propagates to a macro scale level of failure. The failure pattern is often influenced by the nature of discontinuity, geometry and loading conditions. The study of crack growth in rocks, namely its initiation and propagation, plays an important role in defining the true strength of rock and corresponding failure patterns. Many researchers have considered the length of the discontinuity to be fully persistent on rock or rock-like specimens by both experimental and numerical methods. However, only during recent decades, there has been a substantial growth in research interest with non-persistent discontinuities where the crack growth and its propagation phenomenon were found to be much more complex than persistent ones. The non-persistence fractures surface is generally considered to be open and closed. Compared to open flaws, there is a difference in crack growth behaviour in closed or narrow flaws due to the effect of surface closure between them. The present paper reviews the literature that has contributed towards studying the crack growth behaviour and its failure characteristics on both open and narrow flaws subjected to uniaxial and biaxial compression loading conditions.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.479-489
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• 2009

Appropriate investigation of ground condition near excavation face in tunnelling is an inevitable process for safe and economical construction. In this study mechanical parameters from drilling process for blasting were investigated for the purpose of predicting the ground condition, especially rock mass strength, ahead of tunnel face. Rock mass strength is one of the most important factors for classification of rock mass and making a decision of support type in underground construction. Several rock specimens which are considered homogeneous and having different strength values respectively were tested by hydraulic drill machines generally used. As a result, penetration rate is fairly related with rock mass strength among drilling parameters. It is also found that penetration rate increases along with the higher impact pressure even under same rock strength condition. It is finally suggested that new prediction method for rock mass strength using percussive pressure and penetration rate during drilling work can be utilized well in construction site.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.215-227
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• 2001

The Okchon Formation and the Mesozoic granite of the Boeun, Chungbuk are compared in terms of seismic wave velocities estimated from the field experiment, and seismic wave velocities in 3-D measured from the rock specimen. P-wave velocity for the field data ranges from 861 m/s (Guryongsan-2 Formation) to 2697m/s (Bulguksa Granite). P-wave anisotropy also ranges from 46% (Changri Formation) to 81% (Bulguksa Granite), with an average value of 68.5%. P-wave velocities for the rock specimens from Guryongsan-1, Guryongsan-2, Changri, and Munjuri Formations are greater than 5000m/s. S-wave velocities for those specimens are approximately 3500m/s, which is 3-5 times grater than the ones estimated from the field experimental data. P-wave anisotropy for the specimens from Bulguksa Granite and Guryongsan-1 Formation exceeds 60%, which is compared to 30% for the other specimens. This value is much smaller than average P-wave anisotropy (69.5%) for the field data. It is suggested that velocity difference, associated with the propagation direction, is much greater for the field data than for the specimens.