• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.85-99
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• 2022

Rock discontinuities, as weak interfaces in rock, control mechanical properties of rock mass. Presence of discontinuities complicates the engineering properties of rock, which is the root of anisotropy and heterogeneity that have nonnegligible influences on the rock engineering. Morphological characteristics of discontinuities in natural rock are an important factor influencing the mechanical properties, particularly roughness, of discontinuities. Therefore, the accurate measurement and characterization of morphologies of discontinuities are preconditions for studying mechanical properties of discontinuities. Taking discontinuities in red sandstone as research objects, the research obtained three-dimensional (3D) morphologies of discontinuities in natural rock by carrying out 3D morphological scanning tests. The waviness and roughness were separated from 3D morphologies of rock discontinuities through wavelet transform. In addition, the calculation method for the overall slope root mean square (RMS) as well as slope RMSs of waviness and roughness of 3D morphologies of discontinuities considering the shear direction was proposed. The research finally determined an evaluation method for 3D morphologies of discontinuities by quantitatively characterizing 3D morphologies with the mean value of the three slope RMSs.

• 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.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.693-698
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• 2024

As there are various types of discontinuities developing along with various rock types, the orientation and density of each type of discontinuities were measured to analyze the behavior of groundwater within the rock mass. Among the orientations of discontinuities, the strike was measured in azimuth and expressed as a discontinuity trajectory, and the density of discontinuities was quantified as the sum of the lengths of discontinuities developed per unit area. The overall discontinuity trajectory in the study area is predominantly in the northeast direction, the north-south and east-west directions are dominant in the igneous rock distribution area, and the east-west and northeast directions are dominant in the sedimentary rock distribution area. Among the types of discontinuities, they show discontinuity trajectories similar to the northeast direction, which is the dominant orientation of stratum boundaries, stratification, and foliation. The discontinuity density ranges from 0.1 m^-1 to 1,000 m^-1. The density distribution of discontinuities was expressed in the form of discontinuity contour diagrams. As a result, the crushed rock near Demiseam in the southern and southwestern part of the study area, the igneous rock area around Maryeong-myeon, the igneous rock area near Yongdam Dam in the northeast, and the igneous rock area near Unilam and Banilam in the northwest showed the highest density of discontinuities at over 100m^-1., the sedimentary rock area near Maisan Mountain showed relatively low values. It suggests that the results of geophysical exploration and drilling survey data in the existing study area, as well as the geological structure and density and trajectory of discontinuities, may be important factors in the behavior of groundwater in rock mass in the future.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 2015

Rock mass includes such discontinuities as fault, joint, bedding, crack, schistosity, cleavage. The rock mass behavior, therefore, is influenced by the discontinuity behavior. In this study, a stability and deformation analysis method considering discontinuities in rock mass is proposed, and then applied to the rock collapse disaster site. As the method, the stability analysis by the stereographic projection method was carried out in an actual site, the deformation analysis program by the finite element method including the joint element was developed, and performed. To demonstrate the applicability of this developed stability and deformation analysis method considering discontinuities in rock mass, the analysis results are examined and compared with the failure behavior at the rock mass.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.493-500
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• 2000

Rock Mass Rating has been widely applied to the underground tunnel excavation and many other practical problems in rock engineering. However, Rock Mass Rating is hard to make out because it is difficult to estimate each valuation items through all kind of field situations and items of RMR have interdependence. So the experts of tunnel assessment have problems with rating rock mass. In this study, using multivariate analysis based on domestic data(1011EA) of water conveyance tunnel, we presented rock mass rating system which is objective and easy to use. The constituents of RMR are decided to RQD, condition of discontinuities, groundwater conditions, orientation of discontinuities, intact rock strength, spacing of discontinuities in important order. In each step, we proposed the best multiple regression model for RMR system. And using data which have been collected at other site, we examined that presented multiple regression model was useful.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.161-184
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• 2001

Rock masses usually contain such features as bedding planes, faults, fissures, fractures, joints and other mechanical defects which, although formed from a wide range of geological processes, posses the common characteristics of low shear strength, negligible tensile strength and high fluid conductivity compared with the surrounding rock material. In the engineering context here, the discontinuities can be the single most important factor governing the deformability, strength and permeability of the rock mass. Moreover, a particularly large and persistent discontinuity could critically affect the stability of any surface or underground excavation. For these reasons, it is necessary to develop a thorough understanding of the geometrical, mechanical and hydrological properties of discontinuities and the way in which these will affect rock mechanics and hence rock engineering.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.167-174
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• 2000

Profiles of discontinuities through scanline method were investigated for the analysis of rock slope stability. Lower hemispheric projection method was used to evaluate the geometric stability and failure potential of these discontinuities. Also, safety factor was evaluated for the discontinuities of failure potential using by limit equilibrium analysis. Then, displacements of rock block due to the discontinuities were displayed by using the program UDEC(Universal Distinct Element Code) which applied the Distinct Element Method. When we determine the cut-slope in design, the characteristics of discontinuities is not represented only by strength parameters of intact rock. Therefore it is more reasonable method in assuring stability that first, construction would be preceded by the cut-slope of preliminary design, and then, cut-slope would be redetermined by elaborate site investigation in processing construction.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.10-24
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• 2021

Rock mass classification for construction of underground facilities is essential to secure their stabilities. Therefore, the reliable values for rock mass classification from the precise information on rock discontinuities are most important factors, because rock mass discontinuities can affect exclusively on the physical and mechanical properties of rock mass. The conventional classification operation for rock mass has been usually performed by hand mapping. However, there have been many issues for its precision and reliability; for instance, in large-scale survey area for regional geological survey, or rock mass classification operation by non-professional engineers. For these reasons, automated rock mass classification using LiDAR becomes popular for obtaining the quick and precise information. But there are several suggested algorithms for analyzing the rock mass discontinuities from point cloud data by LiDAR scanning, and it is known that the different algorithm gives usually different solution. Also, it is not simple to obtain the exact same value to hand mapping. In this paper, several discontinuity extract algorithms have been explained, and their processes for extracting rock mass discontinuities have been simulated for real rock bench. The application process for several algorithms is anticipated to be a good reference for future researches on extracting rock mass discontinuities from digital point cloud data by laser scanner, such as LiDAR.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 1997

Underground structures show different behaviors depending upon the space and the mechanical characteristics of discontinuities, such as joints, beddings, faults and shear zone. Desingning the rock structeres without considering the significance of these discontinuities can lead to false conclusions. This paper includes study on the following topics; the numerical analysis of continuous rock and discontinuous rock around a tunnel, the influences on shotcrete moment and rock-bolt axial force of tunnel due to different joint orientation and stiffness.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1998.05a
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• pp.3-34
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• 1998

The stability condition of rock slopes is greatly affected by the geometry and strength parameters of discontinuities in the rock masses. Rock slopes Involving movement of rock blocks on discontinuities are failed by one or combination of the three basic failure modes-plane, wedge, and toppling. In rock mechanics, practically all the parameters such as the joint set characteristics, the rock strength properties, and the loading conditions are always subject to a degree of uncertainty. Therefore, a reasonable assessment of the rock slope stability has to include the excavation of the multi-failure modes, the consideration of uncertainties of discontinuity characteristics, and the decision on stabilization measures with favorable cost conditions. This study was performed to provide a new numerical model of the deterministic analysis, reliability analysis, and reliability-based optimization for rock slope stability. The sensitivity analysis was carried out to verify proposed method and developed program; the parameters needed for sensitivity analysis are design variables, the variability of discontinuity properties (orientation and strength of discontinuities), the loading conditions, and rock slope geometry properties. The design variables to be optimized by the reliability-based optimization include the cutting angle, the support pressure, and the slope direction. The variability in orientations and friction angle of discontinuities, which can not be considered in the deterministic analysis, has a greatly influenced on the rock slope stability. The stability of rock slopes considering three basic failure modes is more influenced by the selection of slope direction than any other design variables. When either plane or wedge failure is dominant, the support system is more useful than the excavation as a stabilization method. However, the excavation method is more suitable when toppling failure is dominant. The case study shows that the developed reliability-based optimization model can reasonably assess the stability of rock slopes and reduce the construction cost.