• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2020

The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of rock is a basic parameter in underground engineering design. The disadvantages of this commonly employed laboratory testing method are untimely testing, difficulty in performing core testing of broken rock mass and long and complicated onsite testing processes. Therefore, the development of a fast and simple in situ rock UCS testing method for field use is urgent. In this study, a multi-function digital rock drilling and testing system and a digital core bit dedicated to the system are independently developed and employed in digital drilling tests on rock specimens with different strengths. The energy analysis is performed during rock cutting to estimate the energy consumed by the drill bit to remove a unit volume of rock. Two quantitative relationship models of energy analysis-based core drilling parameters (ECD) and rock UCS (ECD-UCS models) are established in this manuscript by the methods of regression analysis and support vector machine (SVM). The predictive abilities of the two models are comparatively analysed. The results show that the mean value of relative difference between the predicted rock UCS values and the UCS values measured by the laboratory uniaxial compression test in the prediction set are 3.76 MPa and 4.30 MPa, respectively, and the standard deviations are 2.08 MPa and 4.14 MPa, respectively. The regression analysis-based ECD-UCS model has a more stable predictive ability. The energy analysis-based rock drilling method for the prediction of UCS is proposed. This method realized the quick and convenient in situ test of rock UCS.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.25-41
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• 2017

In recent years, the amount of sludge ash (SA) has considerably increased due to rapid urbanization and population growth. In addition, its storage in landfills induces environmental pollution and health problems. Therefore, its disposal in an environmentally friendly way has become more important. The main goal of this study is to investigate the reusability of sludge ash as an additive with polypropylene fiber (PF) to stabilize marginal sand based on the compressive strength performances from UCS tests. For this purpose, a series of UCS tests was conducted. Throughout the experimental study, the used inclusion rates were 10, 15, 20 and 30% for sludge ash and 0, 0.5 and 1% for polypropylene fiber by total dry weight of the sand+sludge ash mixture and the prepared samples were cured for 7 and 14 days prior to the testing. Freezing and thawing resistance of the mixture including 10% sludge ash and 0, 0.5 and 1% polypropylene fiber was also examined. On the basis of UCS testing results, it is said that sludge ash inclusion remarkably enhances UCS performance of sand. Moreover, the addition of polypropylene fiber to the admixtures including sand and sludge ash significantly improves their stress-strain characteristics and post-peak strength loss as well as UCS. As a result of this paper, it is suggested that sludge ash be successfully reused with polypropylene fiber for stabilizing sand in soil stabilization applications. It is also believed that the findings of this study will contribute to some environmental concerns such as the disposal problem of sludge ash, recycling, sustainability, environmental pollution, etc. as well as the cost of an engineering project.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.25-38
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• 2024

Laboratory tests of accelerated artificial weathering compared the effects of seawater and acidified distilled water on rock weathering. The experiments simulated chemical and physical weathering of five different types of volcanic rock by applying 45 freeze-thaw cycles using seawater and acidified distilled water (pH 3), both at 70℃. The physical properties and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the rocks were measured after 15 and 45 cycles of artificial weathering. Most of degradation of physical properties appeared within the first 15 cycles, and acidified distilled water had a greater effect than seawater. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistically evaluated the differences in UCS of the different rock types during the tests. The rate of UCS reduction after 45 cycles was similar across the samples, being independent of the rock type and the trend of changes in physical properties. In contrast to the changes in the physical properties, the UCS was more affected by seawater than by acidified distilled water.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.21-31
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• 2020

In this study, Hoek-Brown constants (m_i) were calculated through nonlinear regression analyses using the results of the triaxial compression tests for the basaltic intact rocks in Jeju Island. The relationships of the m_i with the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) and UCS/BTS of the Jeju basalts were investigated, respectively. In addition, a method that can be used in determining Hoek-Brown failure envelopes including the tensile and compressive failures of the Jeju basalts has been proposed. As results, the m_i values had no clear correlations with the UCS, BTS and UCS/BTS of the Jeju basalts, but there were two strong correlations between UCS and m_i/UCS, and between BTS and m_i/BTS of the Jeju basalts. In addition, it was found that the tensile strengths calculated by the Hoek-Brown failure criterion underestimate the tensile strengths of the Jeju basalts through the relationship between the m_i and UCS/BTS of the Jeju basalts. The method presented in this study is considered to be useful in determining the Hoek-Brown failure envelope for the tensile and compressive failures of the Jeju basalts.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.339-349
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• 2020

This study investigates the feasibility of using the results of the UPV (ultrasonic pulse velocity) test to assess the UCS (unconfined compressive strength) of unsaturated soil. A series of laboratory tests was conducted on samples of unsaturated lateritic soils of northern Taiwan. Specifically, the unconfined compressive test was combined with the pressure plate test to obtain the unconfined compressive strength and its matric suction (s) of the samples. Soil samples were first compacted at the designated water content and subsequently subjected to the wetting process for saturation and the following drying process to its target suction using the apparatus developed by the authors. The correlations among the UCS, s and UPV were studied. The test results show that both the UCS and UPV significantly increased with the matric suction regardless of the initial compaction condition, but neither the UCS nor UPV obviously varied when the matric suction was less than the air-entry value. In addition, the UCS approximately linearly increased with increasing UPV. According to the investigation of the test results, simplified methods to estimate the UCS using the UPV or matric suction were established. Furthermore, an empirical formula of the matric suction calculated from the UPV was proposed. From the comparison between the predicted values and the test results, the MAPE values of UCS were 4.52-9.98% and were less than 10%, and the MAPE value of matric suction was 17.3% and in the range of 10-20%. Thus, the established formulas have good forecasting accuracy and may be applied to the stability analysis of the unsaturated soil slope. However, further study is warranted for validation.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.465-474
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• 2024

Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) is a critical geomechanical parameter that plays a significant role in the evaluation of rocks. The practice of indirectly estimating said characteristics is widespread due to the challenges associated with obtaining high-quality core samples. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of utilizing the gene expression programming (GEP) technique for the purpose of forecasting the UCS for various rock categories, including Schist, Granite, Claystone, Travertine, Sandstone, Slate, Limestone, Marl, and Dolomite, which were sourced from a wide range of quarry sites. The present study utilized a total of 170 datasets, comprising Schmidt hammer (SH), porosity (n), point load index (Is(50)), and P-wave velocity (Vp), as the effective parameters in the model to determine their impact on the UCS. The UCS parameter was computed through the utilization of the GEP model, resulting in the generation of an equation. Subsequently, the efficacy of the GEP model and the resultant equation were assessed using various statistical evaluation metrics to determine their predictive capabilities. The outcomes indicate the prospective capacity of the GEP model and the resultant equation in forecasting the unconfined compressive strength (UCS). The significance of this study lies in its ability to enable geotechnical engineers to make estimations of the UCS of rocks, without the requirement of conducting expensive and time-consuming experimental tests. In particular, a user-friendly program was developed based on the GEP model to enable rapid and very accurate calculation of rock's UCS, doing away with the necessity for costly and time-consuming laboratory experiments.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.471-480
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• 2019

The constructions of engineering structures such as airports, highways and railway on clayey soils may create many problems. The economic losses and damages caused by these soils have led researchers to do many studies using different chemical additives for the stabilization of them. Lime is a popular additive used to stabilize the clayey soils. When the base course is stabilized by mixing with an additive, inevitable delays may occur during compaction due to reasons like insufficient workers, breakdown of compaction equipment, etc. The main purpose of this study is to research the effect of compaction delay time (7 days) on the strength, compaction, and dynamic properties of a clay soil stabilized with lime content of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15% by dry weight of soil. Compaction characteristics of these mixes were determined immediately after mixing, and after 7 days from the end of mixing process. Within this context, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) under the various curing periods (uncured, 7 and 28 days) and dynamic triaxial tests were performed on the compacted specimens. The results of UCS and dynamic triaxial tests showed that delayed compaction on the strength of the lime-stabilized clay soil were significantly effective. Especially with the lime content of 9%, the increase in the shear modulus (G) and UCS of 28 days curing were more prominent after 7 days mellowing period. Because of the complex forms of hysteresis loops caused by the lime additive, the damping ratio (D) values differed from the trends presented in the literature and showed a scattered relationship.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.361-367
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• 2011

The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) is an important factor in the design and construction of surface and underground structures. However, the method employed to measure UCS is time consuming and expensive to apply in the field. Therefore, we developed a model to estimate UCS based on a few properties using linear regression analysis, which is a statistical method. To develop the model, valid factors from the test results were selected from a correlation analysis using a statistical program, and the model was formulated by linear regression based on the relationships among factors. UCS estimates derived from the model were compared with the results of UCS tests, to assess the reliability of the model. The relationship between rock properties and UCS indicates that the factors with the greatest influence on UCS are point load strength and shape facto r. The UCS values obtained using the model are in good agreement with the results of the UCS test. Therefore, the developed model may be used to estimate the UCS of rocks in regions with similar conditions to those of the present study area.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.19-25
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• 2010

This study was conducted to determine the resilient modulus (Mr) and the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of two recycled roadway materials such as recycled pavement material (RPM) and road surface gravel (RSG) with or without cement kiln dust (CKD). The recycled materials were blended with two CKD contents (5, 10 %) and 28 day curing time. Mr and UCS tests were also conducted after 10cycles of freezing and thawing to asses the impact of freeze-thaw cycling. Mr was determined conducting by the laboratory test method described by NCHRP 1-28A. Stabilized RPM and RSG had a modulus and a strength higher than unstabilized RPM and RSG. Mr and UCS of RPM and RSG mixed with CKD increased with increasing CKD content. The results indicated that the addition of CKD could be improved the strength and the stiffness of RPM and RSG. Therefore, RPM, RSG and CKD could be used as an effective materials in the reconstruction of roads.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.689-707
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• 2016

Soil stabilization is one of the useful method of ground improvement for soil with low bearing capacity and high settlement and unrequired swelling potential. Generally, the stabilization is carried out by adding some solid materials. The main objective of this research was to investigate the feasibility of stabilization of organic soils and sewage sludge to obtain low cost alternative embankment material by the addition of two different slags. Slags were used as a replacement for weak soil at ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, where sewage sludge and organic soil were blended with slags separately. The maximum dry unit weights and the optimum water contents for all soil mixtures were determined. In order to investigate the influence of the slags on the strength of sewage sludge and organic soil, and to obtain the optimal mix design; compaction tests, the California bearing ratio (CBR) test, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test, hydraulic conductivity test (HCT) and pH tests were carried out on slag-soil specimens. Unconfined compressive tests were performed on non-cured samples and those cured at 7 days. The test results obtained from untreated specimens were compared to tests results obtained from soil samples treated with slag. Laboratory tests results indicated that blending slags with organic soil or sewage sludge improved the engineering properties of organic or sewage sludge. Therefore, it is concluded that slag can be potentially used as a stabilizer to improve the properties of organic soils and sewage sludge.