• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.385-397
• /
• 2018

This study evaluates the interfacial properties of composite specimens consisting of shotcrete and sprayed waterproofing membrane. Two different membrane prototypes were first produced and tested for their waterproofing ability. Then composite specimens were prepared and their interfacial properties assessed in direct shear and uniaxial compression tests. The direct shear test showed the peak shear strength and shear stiffness of the composites' interface decreased as the membrane layer became thicker. The shear stiffness, a key input parameter for numerical analysis, was estimated to be 0.32-1.74 GPa/m. Shear stress transfer at the interface between the shotcrete and membrane clearly emerged when measuring peak shear strengths (1-3 MPa) under given normal stress conditions of 0.3-1.5 MPa. The failure mechanism was predominantly shear failure at the interface in most composite specimens, and shear failure in the membranes. The uniaxial compression test yielded normal stiffness values for the composite specimens of 5-24 GPa/m. The composite specimens appeared to fail by the compressive force forming transverse tension cracks, mainly around the shotcrete surface perpendicular to the membrane layer. Even though the composite specimens had strength and stiffness values sufficient for shear stress transfer at the interfaces of the two shotcrete layers and the membrane, the sprayed waterproofing membrane should be as thin as possible whilst ensuring waterproofing so as to obtain higher strength and stiffness at the interface.

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

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.421-431
• /
• 2009

As an indirect method, Schmidt hammer test has been employed to investigate correlation between uniaxial compressive strengths and blow values. To conduct the experiment, researchers have examined 11 types (1,417 blocks) of rock, which include igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks in Korea. Every kind of rocks shows different blow behaviors in which correlations of rocks have been analyzed, thus leading to results in new formulas for strength predictions. Cross-check for reliability demonstrates high confidence. Newly proposed test method is highly valued for future research on Korean rocks.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.627-638
• /
• 2019

Estimation of representative elementary volume (REV) of jointed rock masses is critical to predict the mechanical behavior of field-scale rock masses. The REV of jointed rock masses at site is strongly influenced by stress state. The paper proposed a method to systematically studied the influence of confining stress on the REV of jointed rock masses with various strengths (weak, medium and strong), which were sourced from the water inlet slope of Xiaowan Hydropower Station, China. A finite element method considering material heterogeneity was employed, a series of two-dimensional (2D) models was established based on the Monte-Carlo method and a lot of biaxial compressive tests were conducted. Numerical results showed that the REV of jointed rock masses presented a step-like reduction as the normalized confining stress increased. Confining stress weakened the size effect of jointed rock masses, indicating that the REV determined under uniaxial compression test can be reasonably taken as the REV of jointed rock masses under complexed in-situ stress environment.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 2019

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has high compressive and tensile strengths due to the particle packing, and its ductile behavior can be ensured by utilizing steel fibers. However, since the UHPC members exhibit different characteristics of crack behavior and tensile behavior from normal concrete, the tension stiffening and cracking characteristics of the UHPC should be accurately modeled for the design and analysis of the UHPC members. In this study, uniaxial tension tests was conducted on the UHPC members with strands, where the test variables were diameter and reinforcing ratio of strands. Detailed analyses were also conducted to identify the tensile characteristics and crack behavior of the UHPC members. By comparing the test results with current code provisions and other models proposed by existing researchers, their applicability for estimation of crack behavior of the UHPC members was examined.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.191-203
• /
• 2001

We investigate mechanical anisotropy dependent of rock fabric and its relationship with microcracks in the Pocheon Granite. Uniaxial compressive strengths range from 177MPa to 212MPa and the elastic constants are 48GPa-62GPa. The tensile strengths are 6.9MPa~8.5MPa and ultrasonic wave velocities range between 3,200m/sec and 3,700m/sec, indicating that mechanical anisotropy is strongly dependent of rock fabric. The minimum anisotropy ratio is 14% and the maximum is 24%, depend on the mechanical properties. The preferred orientations of microcracks are closely related with the directions of rock fabric. The preferred orientations of microcracks in feldspar are governed by the direction of mineralogical axis and are different from the directions of rock fabric. However, microcracks in quartz grains are very long and parallel to the directions of rock fabric, indicating that directions of rock fabric may be governed by the preferred orientations of microcracks in quartz grains. The preferred orientations of microcracks measured by differential strain analysis and microscopic observation are slightly different. That may be caused by different methodology. Lengths and numbers of microcrack are measured by microscopic observation. However, differential strain analysis measures the widths of microcracks.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.32 no.12
• /
• pp.59-67
• /
• 2016

The strength of frozen soils is affected by size and shape of particles, and the amount of ice and unfrozen water. The objective of this study is to characterize the unfrozen water content and the unconfined compressive strength of the frozen soils according to the degree of saturations and silt fractions. The specimens are mixtures of sand, silt, and water. The silt fractions (SF), which are the ratio of the silt weight ($W_{silt}$) to the sand weight ($W_{sand}$), are 10% and 30%. In addition, the degrees of the saturation are 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The specimens are frozen under the temperature of $-10^{\circ}C$ conditions. The uniaxial compression tests are conducted for 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after freezing to determine proper freezing time. The freezing time of 24 hours is chosen because the unconfined compressive strengths of specimens after 24 hours freezing times are similar to each other. Furthermore, the unfrozen water content is monitored during freezing using the TDR system. The unfrozen water content increases with the increase of the silt fraction and degree of saturation. The unconfined compressive strength of the frozen soils exponentially increases with increasing the degree of saturation. This study shows that the amount of ice has more influence on the strength of the frozen soils than the amount of unfrozen water.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.526-532
• /
• 2000

The uniaxial compressive strength of rock mass is known as the major factor in the assessment of drillability and the optimum excavation design in full-face tunnel excavation by TBM. Referring to worldwide cases, TBM has been applied mostly to the rock mass within the strength range of 80~250 MPa. Recently, a water way tunnel has been constructed as a part of Milyang dam project by TBM within the rock masses where the rock type is mainly granite with some granophyre, hornfels and andesite. Their uniaxial compressive strengths in extended area are estimated higher than 260 MPa. In this paper, the relation between the penetration rate and the rock mass properties is analyzed and TBM application to the very hard rocks is discussed. As a result that three suggestions to predict the TBM net penetration rate are analyzed, NTH method seems a better approach than other methods in the extremely hard rocks. NTH prediction matches with the results of actual values with the variations of 2~20%. Hardness measurement by Schmidt hammer and RMR estimation are carried out along the L = 5.3 km entire TBM tunnel alignment. The net penetration rate measured monthly is shown to be reciprocally proportional to Schmidt rebound hardness and RMR where coefficients of correlation, $R^2$are 0.705 and 0.777 respectively. As a result, they are good quantitative indices for the prediction of TBM net penetration rate in the extremely hard rocks. Magnitude of in-situ stress has a certain effect on TBM performance, and it is required to measure the in-situ stresses in TBM excavation design.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.1765-1775
• /
• 2013

The application of FRP wire as a mean of improving strength and ductility capacity of concrete cylinders under axial compressive load through confinement is investigated experimentally in this study. An experimental investigation involves axial compressive test of three confining amounts of FRP wire and three concrete compressive strengths. The effectiveness of FRP wire confinement on the concrete microstructure were examined by evaluating the internal concrete damage using axial, circumferential, and volumetric strains. The axial stress-strain relations of FRP wire confined concrete showed bilinear behavior with transition region. It showed strain-hardening behavior in the post-cracking region. The load carrying capacity was linearly increased with increasing of the amount of FRP wire. The ultimate strength of the 35 MPa specimen confined with 3 layer of FRP wire was increased by 286% compared to control one. When the concrete were effectively confined with FRP wire, horizontal cracks were formed by shearing. It was developed from sudden expansion of the concrete due to confinement ruptures at one side while the FRP wire was still working in hindering expansion of concrete at the other side of the crack. The FRP wire failure strains obtained from FRP wire confined concrete tests were 55~90%, average 69.5%, of the FRP wire ultimate uniaxial tensile strain. It was as high as any other FRP confined method. The magnitude of FRP wire failure strain was related to the FRP wire effectiveness.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.383-392
• /
• 2008

This study aims to evaluate the mechanical-chemical stability of used coal ash blocks, for improving fishing grounds. The surface of weathered ash blocks in seawater showed a decrease in the Ca and an increase in the Mg contents, compared to that of fresh blocks. This result reflects the substitution of Ca by Mg in seawater. The compressive strengths of ash blocks submerged into seawater during 12 months ranged from 235.23 to $447.43\;kgf/cm^2$; this is higher than the standard strength of wave-absorbing blocks($180\;kgf/cm^2)$ that are used for harbor construction. In addition, the compressive strength of ash blocks tends to increase with increasing installation time in seawater. The result of leaching experiments on coal ash blocks by Korean Standard Leaching Test(KSLT) method showed that leached concentrations of most metals except Cr(that leached up to 50 ppb, approaching standard concentration) do not exceed the seawater quality standards. A long-term(112 days) heavy metal leaching test to analyze seawater without mixing-dilution also showed that the concentrations of leached heavy metals, except for Cu, under anaerobic conditions do not exceed the seawater quality standards. Accordingly, the use of coal ash blocks in marine environments appears to be safe from chemical and mechanical factors that decrease the efficiency of concrete. Also, leaching concentration of Cu seems to be stable by decrease of leaching concentration due to dilution of seawater.