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

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.515-530
• /
• 2016

In this paper, five different quantitative parameters were proposed for the characterization of the primary roughness which is the component of surface morphology that prevails during large strike-slip faults of more than 50 m. These parameters are mostly the anisotropic properties of rock surface morphology at various scales: (i) coefficient ($k_a$) and degree (${\delta}_a$) of apparent structural anisotropy of surface; (ii) coefficient ($k_r$) and degree (${\delta}_r$) of real structural anisotropy of surface; (iii) surface anisotropy function P(${\varphi}$); and (iv) degree of surface waviness ($W_s$). The coefficient and degree of apparent structural anisotropy allow qualifying the anisotropy/isotropy of a discontinuity according to a classification into four classes: anisotropic, moderately anisotropic/isotropic and isotropic. The coefficient and degree of real structural anisotropy of surface captures directly the actual surface anisotropy using geostatistical method. The anisotropy function predicts directional geometric properties of a surface of discontinuity from measurements in two orthogonal directions. These predicted data may subsequently be used to highlight the anisotropy/isotropy of the surface (radar plot). The degree of surface waviness allows qualifying the undulation of anisotropic surfaces. The proposed quantitative parameters allows their application at both lab and field scales.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.16 no.1 s.60
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2006

Rock masses in nature include various rock discontinuities such as faults, joints, bedding planes, fractures, cracks, schistosities, and cleavages. The behavior of rock structures, therefore, is mainly controlled by various rock discontinuities. In many tunnels, enormous cost and time are consumed to cope with the failing or sliding of rock blocks, which cannot be predicted because of the complexity of rock discontinuities. It is difficult to estimate the properties of rock masses before the rock excavation. The observational design and construction method of tunnels in rock masses is becoming important recently. In this paper, a new observational design and construction method for rock block evaluation of tunnels in discontinuous rock masses is proposed, and then applied to the tunnel based on actual rock discontinuity information observed in the field. It is possible to detect key blocks all along the tunnel exactly by using the numerical analysis program developed far the new observational design and construction method. This computer simulation method with user-friendly interfaces can calculate not only the stability of rock blocks but also the design of supplementary supports. The effectiveness of the proposed observational design and construction method has been verified by the confirmation of key block during the enlargement excavation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2008.03a
• /
• pp.1166-1171
• /
• 2008

Despite of the increasing number of the application of drilled shaft piles in construction site, most studies on pile capacity have been focused on the side shear resistance. But it is common that the drilled shaft is socketed on the rock so as to use its bearing resistance. The prediction of the end movement and characteristics of the bearing capacity of the pile is great important as well. Therefore, a series of scaled model tests were carried out in order to study the characteristics of the bearing capacity on rock mass. The material of the test block was cement mortar which was mixed with sand, cement and water, and the size of a test block size was $240{\times}240{\times}240mm$. The axial load was applied by a miniaturized pile of 45mm in diameter and flat jacks and steel plate were used for confinement to simulate the real underground loading conditions. The relation of load-displacement was measured in various different conditions of rock mass such as strength, discontinuity of the rock mass and in-situ stress, so q-w curves of the end of the pile were presented for each condition.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.393-404
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study is to capture the essentials in survey and evaluation scheme which are able to assess the hazard of a rock slope systematically. Statistical analysis are performed on slope instability parameters related to failure of the rock slope. As the slope instability parameters, twelve survey items are considered such as tension crack, surface deformation, deformation of retaining structures, volume of existing failures, angles between strike of discontinuity and strike of cut slope face, angles between dip of discontinuity and dip of cut slope face, discontinuity condition, cut slope angle, rainfall or ground water level, excavation condition, drainage condition, reinforcement. A total of 233 road cut slopes located in Gyeongnam were considered. The stability of the road cut slopes were evaluated by estimating the slope instability index(SII) and corresponding stability rank. 126 rock slopes were selected to analyze statistical relation between SII and slope instability parameters. The multiple regression analysis was applied to derive statistical models which are able to predict the SII and corresponding slope stability rank. Also, its applicability was explored to predict the slope failures using the variables of slope instability parameters. The results obtained in this study clearly show that the methodology given in this paper have strong capabilities to evaluate the failures of the road cut slope effectively.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.52-63
• /
• 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
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.553-565
• /
• 2023

As the structure of broken rock mass is complex, with obvious discontinuity and anisotropy, it is generally necessary to reinforce broken rock mass using grouting in underground construction. The purpose of this study is to experimentally investigate the mechanical properties of broken rock mass after grouting reinforcement with consideration of the characteristics of broken rock mass (i.e., degree of fragmentation and shape) and a range of reinforcement methods such as relative strength ratio between the broken rock mass and cement-based grout stone body (λ), and volumetric block proportion (VBP) representing the volumetric ratio of broken rock mass and the overall cement grout-broken rock mass mixture after the reinforcement. The experimental results show that the strength and deformation of the reinforced broken rock mass is largely determined by relative strength ratio (λ) and VBP. In addition, the enhancement in compressive strength by grouting is more obvious for broken rock mass with spherical shape under a relatively high strength ratio (e.g., λ=2.0), whereas the shape of rock mass has little influence when the strength ratio is low (e.g., λ=0.1). Importantly, the results indicate that columnar splitting failure and inclined shear failure are two typical failure modes of broken rock mass with grouting reinforcement.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry, and Cartography Conference
• /
• 2004.04a
• /
• pp.203-208
• /
• 2004

Recently, digital image is increasing greatly practical use degree in several industry fields including construction. And interest about 3D digital image that can express practical object realistically is augmented greatly. In this study, developed 3D digital image generation system based on digital photogrammetry and created 3D digital image for object. And, wished to verify of 3D digital image through comparative analysis with processing result by digital photogrammetry system been using much the latest for acquisition of 3D information. Also, wished to apply to surface information acquisition about rock slope and execute investigation about discontinuity of joint etc. As the result, could created 3D digital image for object using the 3D digital image generation system developing in this study, and acquire surface information about rock slope efficiently.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.269-288
• /
• 2016

The jointed rock mass behavior often plays a major role in the design of underground excavation, and their failures during excavation and in operation, are usually closely related to joints. This research attempts to evaluate the effects of two basic geometric factors influencing tunnel behavior in a jointed rock mass; joints spacing and joints orientation. A hybridized indirect boundary element code known as TFSDDM (Two-dimensional Fictitious Stress Displacement Discontinuity Method) is used to study the stress distribution around the tunnels excavated in jointed rock masses. This numerical analysis revealed that both the dip angle and spacing of joints have important influences on stress distribution on tunnel walls. For example the tensile and compressive tangential stresses at the boundary of the circular tunnel increase by reduction in the joint spacing, and by increase the dip joint angle the tensile stress in the tunnel roof decreases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2006.10a
• /
• pp.229-240
• /
• 2006

Most of rock slopes contain a lot of discontinuities which have a specific direction and various characteristics. In general, the collapses of the rock slopes occur when the sliding dip of the discontinuity is higher than the internal friction angle and also smaller than the free-air plane of the slope. If a general slope theory is only considered in the case of field exploration of the slopes, there is a possibility that dangerous slopes might be estimated as stable slopes. We mention problems that can easily fail to notice something in field exploration and propose the alternatives to solve the problems through the case studies.