• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.63-70
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• 2000

The quantitative analyses and the mechanical interpretation of discontinuity planes are the most important factor for the study of strength and deformation properties of rock masses containing discontinuity planes. However, the relationship between the factors investigated in the field and the actual mechanical properties of discontinuity planes is not fully understood. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of density, length, and spacing of joints on elastic modulus of rock masses as these values vary. A new parameter which has a direct relation with the elastic modulus of discontinuity planes is also preposed in this study. The combination of finite element methods and homogenization methods has been used for the numerical analyses of a uintcell with discontinuity planes, which is generated using random-number generation methods. The elastic modulus of the discontinuity plane is found from the numerical analyses. The final results propose not only the relation between the investigation parameters of discontinuity planes and the elastic modulus of rock masses but also a new parameter, an effect area ratio having a linear relation with the elastic modulus of rock masses.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.226-233
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• 1998

Microcracks in rock materials, whether natural or induced, provide useful information on the engineering performance of in situ rockmasses. A population of preferentially oriented microcracks has observable effects on the physical properties of a rockmass, but their effects may not be evident if the rock material is highly anisotropic due to other causes. An experimental program was undertaken to investigate the effect of rock fabrics on the physical properties of rock materials. In this study, anisotropy in the circumferential wave velocity and the direction of induced fractures under axial point loading were measured. Rock specimens (NX-size) of the leucocractic Pocheon granite were cored from rock blocks, retaining the relative directions of each specimen. Another set of specimens was prepared from the rock cores of the same meterial, obtained in the field. The master orientation line (MOL) was set to be the representative direction of the microcracks in the specimen. Variation of the circumferential wave velocity of each specimen was then measured along the core, keeping the MOL as reference. The direction of the minimum wave velocity was nearly perpendicular to the direction of the MOL. Coring of smaller-sized (EX-size), concentric specimens from the NX specimens were then followed, and axial point loading was applied. The direction of induced fractures due to axial point loading was closely related to the MOL direction, confirming the prior test result.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 2016

We present the results of two-dimensional numerical simulations predicting the flow of groundwater in a fractured unsaturated zone. We applied the k-field distribution of permeability derived from discrete fracture network (DFN) modeling as the hydraulic properties of a model domain. To model an unsaturated zone, we set the depth from the ground surface to the underground aquifer. The rate of water infiltration into the unsaturated zone was divided into two parts, an artificial structure surface and unsaturated soil zone. The movement of groundwater through the unsaturated zone was simulated with particular emphasis on contaminant transport. It was clearly observed that the contaminants dissolved in groundwater transported vertically from the ground surface to the saturated zone.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.330-338
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• 2012

Though the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of rock material is one of the key properties for rockmass characterization purposes, core samples for the test cannot always be obtained from the field. Indirect tests such as the point load test (PLT) can be a useful alternative. In this study, correlation between the UCS and the point load strength index of limestone of Imgye area was analyzed, and the linear regression equation obtained from regression analysis of two variables was suggested. The results of this study were also compared with previous studies on limestone. It was suggested that conversion factors for the same rock type from diverse areas in Korea may have different values, and more data should be obtained to increase the accuracy of regression analysis.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2014

Direct shear tests have been initiated to understand the characteristics of joints which crucially affect the stability of rock mass. In this research, numerical approach in direct shear tests has been initiated using 3DEC on the basis of 3D distinct element method. Normal loads were altered in four different levels on artificial joint tests depending on the sawtooth angle and strengths on constant normal stress conditions, measuring the peak shear strength according to the direct shear tests under laboratory condition. Also results obtained from mechanical properties through laboratory test were used to perform numerical modeling, and shear strength obtained from the modeling was used to compare with laboratory direct shear test. As a result numerical analysis from distinct element method can simulate well on the shear behavior of rockmass.