• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.587-600
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• 2020

Shear-induced instability of jointed rock mass has greatly threatened the safety of underground openings. To better understand the failure mechanism of surrounding rock mass under shear, the flawed specimens containing a circular opening and two open joints are prepared and used to conduct direct shear tests. Both experimental and numerical results show that joint inclination (β) has a significant effect on the shear strength, dilation, cracking behavior and stress distribution around flaws. The maximum shear strength, occurring at β=30°, usually corresponds to a unifrom stress state around joint and an intense energy release. However, a larger joint inclination, such as β=90°~150°, will cause a more uneven stress distribution and a stronger stress concentration, thus a lower shear strength. The stress distribution around opening changes little with joint inclination, while the magnitude varys much. Both compression and tension around opening will be greatly enhanced by the 30°-joints. In addition, a higher normal stress tends to enhance the compression and suppress the tension around flaws, resulting in an earlier generation and a larger proportion of shear cracks.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.225-234
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• 1998

The behavior of the underground opening depends mainly on the magnitude of the initial stress existing before excavation and on the stress redistribution due to the excavation. In the case of elasto-plastic materials such as rock mass, as the structural behavior of surrounded opening due to excavation depends on the stress path, methods and sequence of excavation have influences on the results of numerical analysis. Therefore, in order to design underground openings with large cross-section such as underground nuclear power plants, radioactive waste disposal cavems, oil storage caverns, and so on more reasonably it is desirable to consider the effect of the excavation sequence in the analysis. In this paper, the underground structure is analyzed using the finite element method and the distinct element methods with a view to review the the effect of the excavation sequence. Based on the results of the analysis the followings are discussed : influence of excavation shape and sequence, effect of structural reinforcements, influence of multi caverns.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.475-483
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• 2016

A numerical analysis model capable of predicting the shape, the size and the potentiality of collapse of tetrahedral blocks considering the persistence obtained from the field survey of joint distribution around the underground excavation surface has been developed. Numerical functions of analyzing both the exposed trace distribution on the excavation surface and the formation of tetrahedral block controlled by the extent of joint surface have been established and linked to the previously developed three dimensional deterministic block analysis model. To illustrate the reliability of advanced numerical model the case of underground excavation in which the collapse of rock block had practically taken place was studied. Representative orientations of joint sets was determined based on the joint distribution pattern observed on the excavation surfaces. The formation of block on the roof of underground opening was analyzed to unveil the potential tetrahedral block the shape of which was very similar to the collapsed rock block. Mechanisms of collapse process has been also analyzed by considering the three dimensional shape of tetrahedral block.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1991.04a
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• pp.20-25
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• 1991

In order to predict properly the effects of ground motion associated wi th earthquakes on underground radioactive waste disposal facilities, understanding of the structural behavior of an underground opening in discontinuous rook masses subjected to dynamic loadings is essential. Therefore, this paper includes literature review on computational models for discontinuous rook masses and on mathematical models for the structural analysis of underground openings. Then, structural analyses of underground openings using the distinct element computer program written for the static and dynamic analysis of discontinuous rook masses have been performed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.64-74
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• 2019

Behavior of a rock block consisting of rock joints during excavation of an underground opening is an important factor for the mechanical stability of the opening. In this study, the behavior of a rock block under different geostatic stress and joint property conditions was analyzed quantitatively. The behavior of the rock block analyzed by 3DEC numerical analysis was compared with that of the theoretical calculation, and the error between the theoretical value and the numerical analysis result was analyzed under various geostatic stress and joint property conditions. The result of the stability analysis of a rock block showed less than 5% of error with numerical simulation result, which verified the applicability of the purposed analytic solution.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.5 s.58
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• pp.369-377
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• 2005

The stability of underground openings is a major concern for the safety and productivity of mining operations. Rock mass classification methods provide the basis of many empirical design methods as well as a basis for numerical analysis. Of the many factors which influence the stability of openings, the span of the opening for a given rock mass condition provides an important parameter of design. In this paper, the critical span curves proposed by Lang, the Mathews stability graph method and the modified critical span curve suggested by the authors have been assessed. The modified critical span curve was proposed by using Mathews stability graph method. The modified critical span curve by the author have been used to assess the stability of underground openings in several limestone mines.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.130-138
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• 1998

Comprehensive monitoring system for the safe and economical excavation of underground opening has been established by employing the 3 independent models each of which can i) predict the ultimate convergence, ii) assess the in-situ stresses and the elastic modulus of excavating rock, iii) calculate the time-dependent opening behavior with respect to the face advance rate and support pressure at the equilibrium state. Accuracy of each model has been verified through illustrative examples. The step-by-step procedures of comprehensive monitoring system for analyzing the rock behavior and the optimum support installation has been explained. The capability and applicability of this system to the practical excavation also has been discussed.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.87-92
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the preparation time of fire-fighting water for public fire hydrants and ground, underground fire hydrants. The equipment preparation time for stage 1 was 20.50 seconds for ground type and 24.67 seconds for underground type. The reason for this difference in preparation time is that an underground fire hydrant requires additional standpipes to connect to the main conduit of Paru and the underground hydrant, which open the manhole cover. Water tank Maintenance joint with water hose male coupling of the second stage was similar to that of the ground type of 48.50 seconds and underground water tipe of 49.00 seconds. This is because the operation of connecting the fire hose to the maintenance tank of the water tank car is the same. In the third stage, the water pipe connection was 43 seconds for ground type and 174.33 seconds for underground type. The reason why the time for connecting the water pipe to the fire hydrant is large difference is that the underground fire hydrant is opened by opening the manhole cover, After connecting the stand pipe to the fire hydrant, the additional process of connecting the water pipe to the stand pipe is required, which is considered to have greatly increased the time required. The opening of Water Control Valve and spindle Valve in the fourth stage was 66.50 seconds for the ground type and 78.83 seconds for the underground type. This difference is due to the fact that the spindle of the ground fire hydrant is located on the main body and can be easily opened, but the underground type is located next to the main body under the manhole and requires additional time to connect the opening equipment.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-44
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• 1995

The puppose of this study is to propose the numerical modelling criteria for underground opening, rock mass continuum is regarded as homogeneous rock behaved linear elastic. The results of this study are summarized as follows: - Boundaries of the finite element mesh should be located at least 6 radii away from the center of the opening. - For circular openings, tension only developed when $K_0$ was less than one-fourAs the ratio of initial horiwntal to vertical stress increased, the inward springline movement increased and the inward crown movement decreased. - The displacement patterns developing for opening I shaped horse-shoe and opening II shaped powerstation are similar to those for circular openings. For both type opening I and opening II, stress concentrations develop at the intersection of the wall and floor. Greater stress concentrations are found for the type opening II.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.326-334
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• 1996

In underground construction the multi-step excavation sequence is commonly adopted for the convenience of the underground work. A numerical simulation method which is capable of analyzing the effects of excavation sequence on the stability of the opening is greatly needed. In this study a two dimensional finite element code was developed based on the effective numerical algorithm for the multistep excavation. The practical applicability of the model was verified for the simplified excavation sequences.