• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.535-544
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• 2007

Discontinuities developed in a sedimentary rock mass are the most important factor to determine mechanical properties of the rock mass. Parameters described discontinuities in rock mass generally connote heterogeneity and uncertainty. In this study, probabilistic statistics method was used to determine parameters of discontinuities quantitatively and objectively. The field survey was conducted at 33 sedimentary rock slopes in Ulsan area, according to the suggested methods for the quantitative description of discontinuities in rock mass(ISRM, 1978). The engineering geological characteristics of the sedimentary rocks at Ulsan area was determined as probability distribution function deduced by analyzing parameters of discontinuities.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.23 no.A
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• pp.69-81
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• 2003

Numerical analysis is important for the design, construction and maintenance of large caverns. The rock mass contains generally discontinuities such as faults, joints and fissures. The mechanical behavior and geometric characteristics of these discontinuities would have a significant impact on the stability of the caverns. In this research the Distinct Element Method(DEM) was used to analyze the structural stability of the large cavern. The Barton-Bandis Joint Model (B-B J.M) was used as a constitutive model for the joint. In addition, two different cases 1) analysis with a support system and 2) analysis with no support system, were analyzed to optimize a support system and to investigate reinforcing effects of a support system. The most significant parameters of in-situ stress, JRC of in-situ natural joints, and spatial distribution characteristics of discontinuities were acquired through field investigation. Displacement (horizontal, joint shear), maximum joint opening, maximum and minimum principal stresses, range of relaxed zone, rockbolt axial forces and shotcrete stresses were calculated at each excavation stage. As a result of analysis the calculated values proved to be under the allowable value Rockbolts also proved to be an efficient support measure to control joint shear displacement which had significant effects on extending the relaxed zone. As a consequence, the structural stability of the cavern was assured with an appropriate support system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.100-111
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• 2006

This study was carried out to increase the efficiency of site investigation through the evaluation of the applicable methods of investigation for cutting slope design. In an effort to find out the applicability of the method employed during the slope investigation, some tests were carried out on 6 subjects i.e location of weak zones, characteristics of discontinuities, distribution of strata, in situ tests for geo-technical properties, laboratory test and estimation of weathering. The method was highly applicable and produced expected results during the test of weak zones, discontinuities and distribution of strata. In order to apply the method to in- situ test for geo-technical properties and laboratory test on soil and rock slope, a statistic analysis of the existing data were required in advance. However its design applicability on rock slope was good although actual cases of application were not many due to limitation of the cases for investigation. The method was frequently referenced but not actually applied for anti seismic design test and estimation of weathering.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.65-73
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• 2009

Large scale model tests and numerical analyses are performed to investigate the stress distribution of pillar due to surface loading nearby two-arch tunnel which is constructed in the regularly jointed rocks. It is observed that the influence of discontinuities on the stress distribution in the discontinuous rock mass and the underground stresses induced by surface loading are greater than those of linear elastic theory. Especially, lines of equal stresses are developed to the direction of inclination according to the inclined grade. In cases of discontinuities imbedded in parallel with or vertical to the ground, the pressure bulbs are formed symmetrically, however, the inclined ones result in stress distribution in parallel with and vertical to the planes of discontinuities. Results indicated that stress distribution is seriously affected by the angle of discontinuity. When stresses propagating to the pillar need to be estimated, relative location of surface loading, grade of discontinuous plane, and location of two-arch tunnel should be carefully considered.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2019

HLW (High Level Radioactive Waste) is one of the problems that must be solved in the countries that implement nuclear power generation. Most countries that are concerned about HLW treatment are considering complete isolation from human society by disposing them deep underground. For perfect isolation, understanding the characteristics of underground rocks is very important. In particular, understanding the characteristics of discontinuity as a path way is one of the first things in order to predict the movement of exposed nuclear species to the surface. In this study, we used 500m underground core samples obtained from granite and gneiss area. The purpose of this study is to understand the characteristics of the discontinuities in each rock type and to analyze the properties of the joints in the underground relative to the surrounding environment. For this purpose, the types of discontinuities were classified and the distribution of each discontinuity were analyzed through visual analysis of the each sample obtained at 500m underground. This study can be used as a basic data for understanding the properties of discontinuities in the rock of the survey area and it can be also used as an important data for understanding the distribution characteristics of discontinuities according to the rock types.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.21 no.B
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• pp.51-58
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• 2001

The Distinct Element Method (DEM) was used to analyze the stability of jointed rock slope, of which dimension are about 200m(length), 60m(height), $55^{\circ}$ dip. The Barton-Bandis joint model was used, as a constitutive model. The parameters such as JRC and spatial distribution characteristics of discontinuities were acquired through field investigation. Three different cases such as $51^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$ and $38^{\circ}$ in angle of rock slope were analyzed to decide a stable slope. To keep the jointed rock slope safely, it is proposed to reduce the height of slope from 60m to 48m and to reduce the angle of the from $55^{\circ}$ to $38^{\circ}$ too.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.639-648
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• 2005

Up to now, practical engineers applying simplicity value of rockfall block weight suggested in design manual without considering in-situ rockfall block weight which reflect joint characteristics. However, the size of rockfall block varies with joint spacing of discontinuities and influences over rockfall analysis results. In this paper, we estimate realistic rockfall block weight distribution using statistical invariances of joint spacing derived from scan-line survey result. And, we study whether this distribution is applicable in practical rockfall analysis directly. As the results of this study, rockfall analysis results that using rockfall block weight distribution estimated from scan-line survey show resonable and realistic outcomes.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.397-410
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• 2022

The safety of the disposal repository for high level radioactive waste should be guaranteed for a quite long period so that the precise evaluations are required. The site characteristics of the discontinuities are essential part of the safe repository design including engineered barrier and natural barrier systems. The discontinuities act like weak planes and at the same time, they act as flow paths so that their features should be investigated thoroughly. RQD (Rock Quality Designation) is one of the most widely applied characterizing methods due to its simplicity, however, modified designations have been proposed because RQD has some drawbacks, such as its directivity and dependence on the threshold length. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of the modified designations by applying them to the rock mass around KURT and to produce fundamental database that will be utilized in future studies.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.303-313
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• 2001

A cut-slope near Guam-Ri Hwado-Eup Namyangju-Si Kyunggi-Do collapsed during a heavy rainfall over 400mm at 28th of August 2000. The cut-slope collapse reportedly developed mainly by block sliding along a set of discontinuities, although slope angle of the cut-slope was 40$^{\circ}$(1:1.2) that agrees with the road construction criteria. This study aims to analyze differences and correlations among several data-collecting methods limited to discontinuity analysis related with cut-slope collapse. This study started with analysing discontinuity surface characteristics, geology of the country rock and orientations of the discontinuities directly related with the collapse. Analysis of aerial photos around the study area provided regional lineament data, and discontinuity plane description and measurements were collected from core logging and Borehole Image Processing System (BIPS). Spearmans correlation ranking coefficient method was used to get correlation of discontinuity planes according to analysis methods. The result suggests that the correlation coefficient is ${\gamma}_s$ = 0.91 Plus, stability analysis of discontinuity plane orientation data using equal-area stereonet revealed that the study area is unstable to planar failure. This study suggests that the cut-slope angles currently applied should be shallower and that significant attention is required to orientation distribution of discontinuities existed in cut-slopes studies.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.52-63
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• 2003

Discontinuities such as faults, fractures and joints in rock mass play the dominant role in the mechanical and hydraulic properties of the rock mass. The key factors that influence on the flow of groundwater are hydraulic and geometric characteristics of discontinuities and their connectivity. In this study, a program that analyzes groundwater flow in the 3D discontinuity network was developed on the assumption that the discontinuity characteristics such as density, trace length, orientation and aperture have particular distribution functions. This program generates discontinuities in a three-dimensional space and analyzes their connectivity and groundwater flow. Due to the limited computing capacity In this study, REV was not exactly determined, but it was inferred to be greater than 25$\times$25$\times$25 ㎥. By calculating the extent of aperture that influences on the groundwater flow, it was found that the discontinuities with the aperture smaller than 30% of the mean aperture had little influence on the groundwater flow. In addition, there was little difference in the equivalent hydraulic conductivity for the the two cases when considering and not considering the boundary effect. It was because the groundwater flow was mostly influenced by the discontinuities with large aperture. Among the parameters considered in this study, the length, aperture, and orientation of discontinuities had the greatest influence on the equivalent hydraulic conductivity of rock mass in their order. In case of existence of a fault in rock mass, elements of the equivalent hydraulic conductivity tensor parallel to the fault fairly increased in their magnitude but those perpendicular to the fault were increased in a very small amount at the first stage and then converged.