• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.382-393
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• 2020

The engineered barrier system of high-level radioactive waste disposal must maintain its performance in the long term, because it must play a role in slowing the rate of leakage to the surrounding rock mass even if a radionuclide leak occurs from the canister. In particular, it is very important to clarify gas dilation flow phenomenon clearly, that occurs only in a medium containing a large amount of clay material such as a bentonite buffer, which can affect the long-term performance of the bentonite buffer. Accordingly, DECOVALEX-2019 Task A was conducted to identify the hydraulic-mechanical mechanism for the dilation flow, and to develop and verify a new numerical analysis technique for quantitative evaluation of gas migration phenomena. In this study, based on the conventional two-phase flow and mechanical behavior with effective stresses in the porous medium, the hydraulic-mechanical model was developed considering the concept of damage to simulate the formation of micro-cracks and expansion of the medium and the corresponding change in the hydraulic properties. Model verification and validation were conducted through comparison with the results of 1D and 3D gas injection tests. As a result of the numerical analysis, it was possible to model the sudden increase in pore water pressure, stress, gas inflow and outflow rate due to the dilation flow induced by gas pressure, however, the influence of the hydraulic-mechanical interaction was underestimated. Nevertheless, this study can provide a preliminary model for the dilation flow and a basis for developing an advanced model. It is believed that it can be used not only for analyzing data from laboratory and field tests, but also for long-term performance evaluation of the high-level radioactive waste disposal system.

• 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.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.997-1010
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• 2017

The black box model is a relatively new option for nonlinear dynamic system identification. It can be used for prediction problems just based on analyzing the input and output data without considering the changes of the internal structure. In this paper, a black box model was presented to solve unconstrained overlying strata movement problems in coal mine production. Based on the black box theory, the overlying strata regional system was viewed as a "black box", and the black box model on overburden strata movement was established. Then, the rock mechanical properties and the mining thickness and mined-out section area were selected as the subject and object respectively, and the influences of coal mining on the overburden regional system were discussed. Finally, a corrected method for height prediction of the fractured zone was obtained. According to actual mine geological conditions, the measured geological data were introduced into the black box model of overlying strata movement for height calculation, and the fractured zone height was determined as 40.36 m, which was comparable to the actual height value (43.91 m) of the fractured zone detected by Double-block Leak Hunting in Drill. By comparing the calculation result and actual surface subsidence value, it can be concluded that the proposed model is adaptable for height prediction of the fractured zone.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2009

A 3-D numerical analysis was carried out to observe potential effects of orientation of inherent weak zones to tunnel behaviors and stress distributions during tunnel excavation. Weak zones used for the analysis were placed at the upper 1D part from crown, on the crown and on the center of face, using orientations derived from the 6th RMR parameter for assessment of joint orientation effect on tunnel. Mechanical properties of rock mass were derived through a in-situ displacement measurement-based back analysis. Finally, a classification chart for crown settlement with five ranks based on orientation and location of weak zones is suggested.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.272-280
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• 2003

A definite shut-in pressure in hydraulic fracturing techniques is needed for obtaining the correct information on the in-situ stress regimes in rock masses. The relation between the behaviour of hydraulically induced fractures and the condition of remote stress is considered to be major reasons of an ambiguous shut-in pressure in hydraulic fracturing pressure-time history curves. This paper describes the results of a series of numerical analyses carried out using UDEC(Universal Distinct Element Code, Itasca), which is based on the discrete element method, to compare several methods for determining the shut-in pressure during hydraulic fracturing. The fully coupling of hydraulic and mechanical analysis was applied, and the effects of four different discontinuity geometries in numerical modelling have been investigated for this purpose. The effects of different remote stress regimes and different physical properties on hydraulic fracture propagation have been also analyzed. Several methods for obtaining shut-in pressure from the ambiguous shut-in curves have been applied to all the numerical models. The graphical intersection methods, such as (P vs. t) method, (P vs. log(t)) method, (log(P) vs. log(t)) method, give smaller values of the shut-in pressure than the statistical method, (dP/dt vs. P). Care should be taken in selecting a method for shut-in pressure, because there can be existed a stress anomaly around the wellbore and fracturing from the wellbore by a constant flow rate may have a more complicate mechanism.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.199-212
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• 2021

The Sebyeonggwan Hall (National Treasure No. 305) is located on the Naval Headquarter of Three Provinces in Tongyeong, and it has partly undergone with several rebuilding, remodeling, repairing and restorations since it's the first establishment in Joseon Dynasty (AD 1605) of ancient Korea. This study focuses on 50 foundation stones that comprise the Sebyeonggwan. These stones are made of six rock types and currently have various shapes of the surface damages. As the foundation stones, the dominant rock type was dacitic lapilli tuffs, and provenance-based interpretation was performed to supply alternative stones for conservation. Most of the provenance rocks for foundation stones showed highly homogeneity with their corresponding stones of petrography, mineralogy and magnetic susceptibility. According to surface deterioration assessments, the most serious damages of the stones were blistering and scaling. The deterioration mechanism was identified through the analysis of inorganic contaminants, and the primary reason is considered salt weathering caused by sea breeze and other combined circumstances. Based on the mechanical durability of the stones, there was no foundation stone that required the replacement of its members attributed to the degradation of the rock properties, but conservation treatment is considered necessary to delay superficial damage. The foundation stones are characterized by a combined outcome of multiple petrological factors that caused physical damage to surfaces and internal defects. Therefore, it's required to diagnosis and monitoring the Sebyeonggwan regularly for long-term preservation.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.383-392
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• 2016

This study is to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties on the Ipseok-dae columnar joints of Mt. Mudeung National Park. For these purposes, physical and mechanical properties as well as discontinuity property on the Mudeungsan tuff, measurement of vibration and local meteorology around columnar joints, and ground deformation by self-weight of columnar joints were examined. For the physical and mechanical properties, average values were respectively 0.65% for porosity, 2.69 for specific gravity, 2.68 g/cm³ for density, and 2411 m/s for primary velocity, 323 MPa for uniaxial compressive strength, 81 GPa Young's modulus, and 0.25 for Poisson's ratio. For the joint shear test, average values were respectively 3.15 GPa/m for normal stiffness, 0.38 GPa/m for shear stiffness, 0.50 MPa for cohesion, and 35° for internal friction angle. The JRC standard and JRC chart was in the range of 4~6, and 1~1.5, respectively. The rebound value Q of silver schmidt hammer was 57 (≒ 90 MPa). It corresponds 20% of the uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock. The maximum vibration value around the Ipseok=dae columnar joints was in the range of 0.57 PPV (mm/s)~2.35 PPV (mm/s). The local meteorology of surface temperature, air temperature, humidity, and wind on and around columnar joints appeared to have been greatly influenced the weather on the day of measurement. For the numerical analysis of ground deformation due to its self-weight of the Ipseok-dae columnar joints, the maximum displacement of the right ground shows when the ground distance is approximately 2 m, while drastically decreased by 2~4 m, thereafter was insignificant. The maximum displacement of the middle ground shows when the ground distance is approximately 0~2 m, while drastically decreased by 3~10 m, thereafter was insignificant. The maximum displacement of the left ground shows when the ground distance is approximately 5~6 m, while drastically decreased by 6~10 m, thereafter was insignificant.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.169-188
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• 2023

Fires in tunnels are characterized by higher temperature rise and higher maximum temperatures compared to ground fires. For this reason, countries such as the Netherlands and Germany have developed separate temperature-time curves for use in tunnel fires. Fires in tunnels cause damage to the tunnel lining, such as loss of section and deterioration of the material properties. This study reviewed the design concept of fire stability of structures, section loss due to spalling, changes in physicochemical and mechanical properties of tunnel lining materials, fireproofing materials for structure safety, and fire damage prediction models. In order to secure the stability of a structure against fire, it is necessary to identify the type of structure and the possible fire load at the design stage, identify the expected section loss and damage range, and prepare for such damage through fireproofing materials. In this study, we have summarized the matters that can be referred to in performing such a series of tasks and presented our opinions on them.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.5 no.2 s.14
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• pp.14-21
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• 2001

In order to investigate the damage mechanism of the coupler transferring LPG, microstructural observation and chemical analysis of the couplers operated for the long time in the LPG stations and virgin 6/4 forged-brass corrosion-tested were conducted. Their microstructure was consisted of two phases that bright $\beta$ precipitates were irregularly dispersed in $\alpha$ matrix. The chemical compositions of oxide layer on the surface of the used coupler were composed of S, C, O, Al, Si, etc. as well as Cu and Zn. In environmental corrosion tests of both $10\%$ HCl and Mattsson solutions, no apparent deviations in mechanical impact strength of forged-brass was observed. While, in U-bend stress corrosion cracking specimen, some microcracks were observed.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.91-104
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• 2014

An Excavation Damaged Zone (EDZ), in which rock properties are permanently changed due to blasting impact or stress redistribution, can influence the behavior and stability of structures. In this study, the mechanical stability of an underground opening was simulated by using FLAC, which is a two-dimensional modeling code, with a consideration of EDZ. A sensitivity analysis was also carried out with fractional factorial design. From the modeling, it was found that the behavior and the stability of an underground tunnel are strongly dependent on the existence of the EDZ. The sensitivity analysis showed that the key parameters affecting the factor of safety around the tunnel are in-situ stress ratio, depth, cohesion, reduction ratio, internal friction angle, and height and width of the tunnel. It is necessary to consider the EDZ, which can significantly affect mechanical stability in tunnel design.