• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.435-449
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• 2022

In this paper, unreinforced and geogrid-reinforced soil foundations were modeled by discrete element method and this performed under surface strip footing loads. The effects of horizontal position of geogrid, vertical position, thickness, number, confining pressure have been investigated on the footing settlement and propagation of tensile force along the geogrids. Also, interaction between rectangular tunnel and strip footing with and without presence of geogrid layer has been analyzed. Experimental results of the literature were used to validation of relationships between the numerically achieved footing pressure-settlement for foundations of reinforced and unreinforced soil. Models and micro input parameters which used in the numerical modelling of reinforced and unreinforced soil tunnel were similar to parameters which were used in soil foundations. Model dimension was 1000 mm* 600 mm. Normal and shear stiffness of soils were 5*10⁵ and 2.5 *10⁵ N/m, respectively. Normal and shear stiffness of geogrid were 1*10⁹ and 1*10⁹ N/m, respectively. Loading rate was 0.001 mm/sec. Micro input parameters used in numerical simulation gain by try and error. In addition of the quantitative tensile force propagation along the geogrids, the footing settlements were visualized. Due to collaboration of three layers of geogrid reinforcements the bearing capacity of the reinforced soil tunnel was greatly improved. In such practical reinforced soil formations, the qualitative displacement propagations of soil particles in the soil tunnel and the quantitative vertical displacement propagations along the soil layers/geogrids represented the geogrid reinforcing impacts too.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.99-105
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• 2004

When a saturated clay is sampled from a borehole in an undisturbed manner, the exerted negative pore water pressure restricts the volume expansion. The vertical and horizontal stresses to which the clay was subjected in the ground are smaller and larger than this isotropically confining stress equivalent to the mean principal stress in the ground, respectively. Therefore the sample expands vertically and shrinks laterally under an undrained condition. In the ordinary consolidation test, the sample thus deformed is trimmed to fit the inside of the consolidometer ring. Thus, the specimen generates larger consolidation displacement due to confining larger horizontal stress when in-situ effective pressure is loaded. The specimen does not reproduce the in-situ consolidation behavior, In this paper, considering sample deformation, the test specimen is made to expand laterally to fit the inside of the ring in the undrained manner when the in-situ effective pressure is loaded. And applicability of this proposed test procedure was verified; results from the conventional consolidation test procedure are also discussed.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.713-723
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• 2016

Shear wave velocities of three selected sandy soils subject to drained triaxial compression test were continuously measured using the bender elements. The shear wave velocity during isotropic compression, as widely recognized, increased as confining pressure increased and they were correlated well. However, during drained shearing, the mean effective stress could no further provide a suitable correlation. The shear wave velocity during this stage was almost constant with respect to the mean effective stress. The vertical stress was found to be more favorable at this stage (since confining stress was kept constant). When sample was attained its peak stress, the shear wave velocity reduced and deviated from the previously existed trend line. This was probably caused by the non-uniformity induced by the formation of shear band. Subsequently, void ratios computed based on external measurements could not provide reasonable fitting to the initial stage of post-peak shear wave velocity. At very large strain levels after shear band formation, the digital images revealed that sample may internally re-arrange itself to be in a more uniform loose stage. This final stage void ratio estimated based on the proposed correlation derived during pre-peak state was close to the value of the maximum void ratio.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.17-27
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• 2015

We perform a series of experimental tests to evaluate whether the shear strength of clean sands can be reliably predicted from shear wave velocity. Isotropic drained triaxial tests on clean sands reconstituted at different relative densities are performed to measure the shear strength and bender elements are used to measure the shear wave velocity. Laboratory tests reveal that a correlation between shear wave velocity, void ratio, and confining pressure can be made. The correlation can be used to determine the void ratio from measured shear wave velocity, from which the shear strength is predicted. We also show that a unique relationship exists between maximum shear modulus and effective axial stress at failure. The accuracy of the equation can be enhanced by including the normalized confining pressure in the equation. Comparisons between measured and predicted effective friction angle demonstrate that the proposed equation can accurately predict the internal friction angle of granular soils, accounting for the effect of the relative density, from shear wave velocity.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.205-212
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• 2018

In order to overcome shortcomings of commercial analysis program for solving certain geotechnical problems, finite element method adopting isoparametric quadrilateral element was selected as a tool for analyzing soil behavior and calculating process was programmed. Two examples were considered in order to verify reliability of the developed program. One of the two examples is the case of acting isotropic confining pressure on finite element and the other is the case of acting shear stress on the sides of the finite element. Isoparametric quadrilateral element was considered as the finite element and displacements in the element can be expressed by node displacements and shape functions in the considered element. Calculating process for determining strain which is defined by derivatives using global coordinates was coded using the Jacobian and the natural coordinates. Four point Gauss rule was adopted to convert double integral which defines stiffness of the element into numerical integration. As a result of executing analysis of the finite element under isotropic confining pressure, calculated stress corresponding to four Gauss points and center of the element were equal to the confining pressure. In addition, according to the analyzed results for the element under shear stress, horizontal stresses and vertical stresses were varied with positions in the element and the magnitudes and distribution pattern of the stresses were thought to be rational.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.455-466
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• 2020

This paper presents analysis of the interaction between tunnel and Qanat with a particular interest for the optimization of Qanat shape using the discrete element code, PFC2D, and the results will be compared with the FEM results of PLAXIS2D. For these concerns, using software PFC2D based on Discrete Element Method (DEM), a model with dimension of 100m ^⁎ 100 m was prepared. A circular tunnel with dimension of 9 m was situated 20 m below the ground surface. Also one Qanat was situated perpendicularly above the tunnel roof. Distance between Qanat center and ground surface was 8 m. Five different shapes for Qanat were selected i.e., square, semi-circular, vertical ellipse, circular and horizontal ellipse. Confining pressure of 5 MPa was applied to the model. The vertical displacement of balls situated in ground surface was picked up to measure the ground subsidence. Also two measuring circles were situated at the tunnel roof and at the Qanat roof to check the vertical displacements. The properties of the alluvial soil of Tehran city are: γ_dry=19 (KN/㎥), E= 750 (kg/㎠), ν=0.35, c=0.3(kg/㎠), φ=34°. In order to validate the DEM results, a comparison between the numerical results (obtained in this study) and analytical and field monitoring have been done. The PFC2D results are compared with the FEM results. The results shows that when Qanat has rectangular shape, the tensile stress concentration at the Qanat corners has maximum value while it has minimum value for vertical ellipse shape. The ground subsidence for Qanat rectangular shape has maximum value while it has minimum value for ellipse shape of Qanat. The vertical displacements at the tunnel roof for Qanat rectangular shape has maximum value while it has minimum value for ellipse shape of Qanat. Historical shape of Qante approved the finding of this research.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.49-62
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• 2022

The hollow modular concrete block reinforced foundation method is one of the ground reinforcement foundation methods that uses hexagonal honeycomb-shaped concrete blocks with mixed crushed rock to reinforce soft grounds. It then forms an artificial layered ground that increases bearing capacity and reduces settlement. The hollow modular honeycomb-shaped concrete block is a geometrically economical, stable structure that distributes forces in a balanced way. However, the behavioral characteristics of hollow modular concrete block reinforced foundations are not yet fully understood. In this study, a bearing capacity test is performed to analyze the reinforcement effectiveness of the hollow modular concrete block through the laboratory model tests. From the load-settlement curve, punching shear failure occurs under the unfilled sand condition (A-1-N). However, the filled sand condition (A-1-F) shows a linear curve without yielding, confirming the reinforcement effect is three times higher than that of unreinforced ground. The bearing capacity equation is proposed for the parts that have contact pressure under concrete, vertical stress of hollow blocks, and the inner skin friction force from horizontal stress by confining effect based on the schematic diagram of confining effect inside a hollow modular concrete block. As a result of calculating the bearing capacity, the percentage of load distribution for contact force on the area of concrete is about 65%, vertical force on the area of hollow is 16.5% and inner skin friction force of area of the inner wall is about 18.5%. When the surcharge load is applied to the concrete part, the vertical stress occurs on the area of the hollow part by confining effect first. Then, in the filled sand in the hollow where the horizontal direction is constrained, the inner skin friction force occurs by the horizontal stress on the inner wall of the hollow modular concrete block. The inner skin friction force suppresses the punching of the concrete part and reduces contact pressure.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.67-76
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• 2011

Bearing capacity of pile foundations in cold region is dominated by adfreeze bond strength between surrounding soil and pile perimeter. Adfreeze bond strength is considered to be the most important design parameter for foundations in cold region. Many studies in last 50 years have been conducted to analyze characteristics of adfreeze bond strength. However, most studies have been performed under constant temperature and normal stress conditions in order to analyze affecting factors like soil type, pile material, loading speed, etc. In this study, both freezing temperature and normal stress acting on pile surface were considered to be primary factors affecting adfreeze bond strength, while other factors such as soil type, pile material and loading speed were predefined. Direct shear box was used to measure adfreeze bond strength between Joomoonjin sand and aluminium because it is easy to work for various roughness. Test was performed with temperatures of > $0^{\circ}C$, $-1^{\circ}C$, $-2^{\circ}C$, $-5^{\circ}C$, and $-10^{\circ}C$ and vertical confining pressures of 1atm, 2atm, and 3atm. Based on the test results, the effects of temperature and vertical stress on adfreeze bond strength were analyzed. The test results showed that adfreeze bond strength increases with decreased temperature and increased vertical stress. It was also noted that two types of distinct sections exist, owing to the rate of increase of adfreeze bond strength along the change of freezing temperature: 1)rapidly increasing section and 2)gradually decreasing section. In addition, the results showed that a main factor affecting adfreeze bond strength switches from friction angle to adhesion as freezing temperature decreases.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.19-29
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• 2013

Analysis via classical soil mechanics theory is either ineffective or inappropriate for fully describing stress distribution or failure conditions in cold regions, since mechanical properties of soils in cold regions are different from those reported in the classical soil mechanics theory. Therefore, collecting and analyzing technical data, and systematic and specialized research for cold regions are required for design and construction of the structure in cold regions. Freezing and thawing repeat in active layer of permafrost region, and a loading condition affecting the structure changes. Therefore, the reliable analysis of mechanical properties of frozen soils according to various conditions is prerequisite for design and construction of the structure in cold regions, since mechanical properties of frozen soils are sensitive to temperature condition, water content, grain size, relative density, and loading rate. In this research, the direct shear apparatus which operates at 30 degrees below zero and large-scaled low temperature chamber are used for evaluating shear strength characteristics of frozen soils. Weathered granite soil is used to analyzed the shear strength characteristics with varying freezing temperature condition, vertical confining pressure, relative density, and water content. This research shows that the shear strength of weathered granite soil is sensitively affected by various conditions such as freezing temperature conditions, normal stresses, relative densities, and water contents.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.74 no.2
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• pp.283-296
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• 2020

The coupled hydro-mechanical loading conditions commonly occur in the geothermal and petroleum engineering projects, which is significantly important influence on the stability of rock masses. In this article, the influence of flaw inclination angle of fracture behaviors in rock-like materials subjected to both mechanical loads and internal hydraulic pressures is experimentally studied using the 3-D X-ray computed tomography combined with 3-D reconstruction techniques. Triaxial compression experiments under confining pressure of 8.0 MPa are first conducted for intact rock-like specimens using a rock mechanics testing system. Four pre-flawed rock-like specimens containing a single open flaw with different inclination angle under the coupled hydro-mechanical loading conditions are carried out. Then, the broken pre-flawed rock-like specimens are analyzed using a 3-D X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning system. Subsequently, the internal damage behaviors of failed pre-flawed rock-like specimens are evaluated by the 3-D reconstruction techniques, according to the horizontal and vertical cross-sectional CT images. The present experimental does not only focus on the mechanical responses, but also pays attentions to the internal fracture characteristics of rock-like materials under the coupled hydro-mechanical loading conditions. The conclusion remarks are significant for predicting the rock instability in geothermal and unconventional petroleum engineering.