• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.41-53
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• 2016

Stability of the braced earth wall in the composite ground, which is composed of the jointed base rocks and the soil strata depends on the earth pressure acting on it. In most cases, the earth pressure is calculated by the empirical method, in which base rocks are considered as a soil strata with the shear strength parameters of base rocks. In this case the effect of the joint dips of the jointed base rocks is ignored. Therefore, the calculated earth pressure is smaller than the actual earth pressure. In this study, the magnitude and the distribution of the earth pressure acting on the braced wall in the composite ground depending on the joint dips of the base rocks and the ratio of soil strata and base rocks were experimentally studied. Two dimensional large-scale model tests were conducted in a large scale test facility (height 3.0 m, length 3.0 m and width 0.5 m) by installing 10 supports in a scale of 1/14.5. The test ground was presumed with the base rock ratio of the composite ground of 65%:35% and 50%:50% and with the joint dips for each base rock layer, $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$, respectively. And then finite element analyses were performed in the same condition. As results, the earth pressure on the braced wall increased as the base rock layer's joint dips became larger. And earth pressure at the rock layer increased as the rock rate became larger. The largest earth pressure was measured when the base rock rate was 50% (R50) and the rock layer's joint dips was $60^{\circ}$. Based on these results, a formular for the calculation of the earth pressure in the composite ground could be suggested. Distribution of earth pressure was idealized in a quadrangular form, in which the magnitude and the position of peak earth pressure depended on the rock ratio and the joint dips.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.639-653
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• 2016

The present article discusses the effect of the ratio of bridge surface to total shear surface, number of bridge areas and normal stress on the failure behavior of the planar non-persistent open joints. Totally, 38 models were prepared using plaster and dimensions of $15cm{\times}15cm{\times}15cm$. The bridge area occupied $45cm^2$, $90cm^2$ and $135cm^2$ out of the shear surface. The number of rock bridges increase in fixed area. Two similar samples were prepared on every variation in the rock bridges and tested for direct shear strength under two high and low normal loads. The results indicated that the failure pattern and the failure mechanism is mostly influenced by the ratio of bridge surface to total shear surface and normal stress so that the tensile failure mode change to shear failure mode by increasing in the value of introduced parameters. Furthermore, the shear strength and shear stiffness are closely related to the ratio of bridge surface to total shear surface, number of bridge areas and normal stress.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 2007

Loads on the pillar and ground deformation in 2-arch tunnel, which is excavated in the rock mass with regular discontinuities, depending on the dips of discontinuities and the construction sequences were experimentally studied. Large scale model tests in the biaxial test facility were performed. Tested model (width 3.3m, height 3.0m, and length 0.45m) for 2-arch tunnel in 1/10 scale were built with various dips. Test results show that discontinuities have greate affects on the behavior of the 2-arch tunnel, especially on the pillar loads and ground deformation.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.17 no.3 s.68
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• pp.234-243
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• 2007

In this paper, it was aimed to enhance core processes required in establishing hydrogeological models constructed using borehole investigation results. Water Conducting Feature(WCF) information was extracted from borehole investigation, and HydroDFN model was constructed based on the WCF information. The HydroDFN model was sub-divided by cubic blocks, and equivalent permeability of each sub-divided block was calculated and compared with the results of hydraulic test at the borehole. Through these analysis processes, suggestion for identifying and prescribing WCF parameters in the construction of HydroDFN model was made.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.97-111
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• 2013

It is very important to understand the condition of the surround rock for the successful construction of underground space. Representative methods of estimating the rock mass condition are RMR method and Q-system, and they are applied on design, construction, and maintenance. However, many problems with the accuracy of the measurement method and the subjective viewpoint are questioned continuously, so many researchers have been studied for estimating rock condition from various methods. Most of them show only the local relation and a tendency between site investigation data and rock conditions. In this paper, the relationship between RMR method and electrical resistivity is deducted using the analytical equation derived theoretically from electric field analysis on jointed rock mass. And also, probabilistic relationship between RMR method and electrical resistivity is deducted for the increase of accuracy. If a suggested method is applied with the conventional method for estimating the rock condition, it will be helpful to estimate RMR values on the field.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.279-294
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• 2024

Large-scale civil engineering structures such as dams require a systematic approach to jointed rock-mass grouting to prevent water leakage into the foundations and to ensure safe operation. In South Korea, rock grouting design often relies on the experience of field engineers that was gained in similar projects, highlighting the need for a more systematic and reliable approach. Rock-mass grouting is affected mainly by hydrogeology and the presence of discontinuities, involving factors such as the rock quality designation (RQD), joint spacing (Js), Lugeon value (Lu), and secondary permeability index (SPI). This study, based on data from field investigations of 14 domestic sites, analyzed the correlation between hydrogeological factors (Lu and SPI), discontinuity characteristics (RQD and Js), and grout take, and systematically established a design method for rock grouting. Analysis of correlation between the variables RQD, Js, Lu, and SPI yielded Pearson correlation (r) values as follows: Lu-SPI, 0.92; RQD-Lu, -0.75; RQD-Js, 0.69; RQD-SPI, -0.65; Js-Lu, -0.47; and SPI-Js, -0.41. The grout take increases with Lu and SPI values, but there is no significant correlation between RQD and Js. The proposed approach for grouting design based on SPI values was verified through analysis and comparison with actual curtain-grouting construction, and is expected to be useful in practical applications and future studies.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.366-372
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• 2014

The generalized Hoek-Brown (H-B) function provides a unique failure condition for a jointed rock mass, in which the strength parameters of rock mass are deduced from the intact values by use of the GSI value. Since it is actually the only failure criterion which accounts for the rock mass conditions in a systematic manner, the generalized H-B criterion finds many applications to the various rock engineering projects. Its nonlinear character, however, limits more active usage of this criterion. Accordingly, many attempts have been made to understand the generalized H-B condition in the framework of the M-C function. This study presents the closed-form expression relating the tangential cohesion to the tangential friction angle, which is derived by the non-dimensional stress transformation of the generalized H-B criterion. By use of the derived equation, it is investigated how the relationship between the tangential cohesion and friction angle of the generalized H-B criterion varies with the quality of rock masses. When only the variation of GSI value is considered, it is found that the tangential friction angle decreases with the increase of GSI, while the tangential cohesion increases with GSI value.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.303-314
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• 2009

Image analyses for sheared joint specimens are performed to study asperity degradation characteristics with respect to the roughness mobilization of rock joints. Four different types of joint specimens, which are made of high-strength gypsum materials, are prepared by replicating the three-dimensional roughness of rock joints. About twenty jointed rock shear tests are performed at various normal stress levels. The characteristic and scale of asperity degradation on the sheared joint specimens are analyzed using the digital image analysis technique. The results show that the asperity degradation characteristic mainly depends on the normal stress level and can be defined by asperity failure and wear. The asperity degradation develops significantly around the peak shear displacement and the average amount of degraded asperities remains constant with further displacement because of new degradation of small scale asperities. The shear strength results using high-strength gypsum materials can not fully represent physical properties of each mineral particles of asperities on the natural rock joint surface. However the results of this quantitative estimation for the relationship between the peak shear displacement and the asperity degradation suggest that the characterization of asperity degradation provides an important insight into mechanical characteristics and shear models of rock joints.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.627-650
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• 2013

This paper deals with application of a non-linear continuum model for reinforced concrete affected by alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) to analysis of some nuclear structures. The macroscopic behaviour of the material affected by AAR is described by incorporating a homogenization/averaging procedure. The formulation addresses the main stages of the deformation process, i.e., a homogeneous deformation mode as well as that involving localized deformation, associated with formation of macrocracks. The formulation is applied to examine the mechanical behaviour of some reinforced concrete structures in nuclear power facilities located in Quebec (Canada). First, a containment structure is analyzed subjected to 45 years of continuing AAR. Later, an inelastic analysis is carried out for the spent fuel pool taking into account the interaction with the adjacent jointed rock mass foundation. In the latter case, the structure is said to be subjected to continuing AAR that is followed by a seismic event.