• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.227-236
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• 2020

Non-destructive exploration using elastic waves has been widely used to characterize rock mass properties. Wave propagation in jointed rock masses is significantly governed by the characteristics and orientation of discontinuities. The relationship between spatial heterogeneity (i.e., joint spacing) and wavelength for elastic waves propagating through jointed rock masses have been investigated previously. Discontinuous rock masses can be considered as an equivalent continuum material when the wavelength of the propagating elastic wave exceeds the spatial heterogeneity. However, it is unclear how stress-dependent long-wavelength elastic waves propagate through a repetitive rock-joint system with multiple joints. A preliminary numerical simulation was performed in in this study to investigate long-wavelength elastic wave propagation in regularly jointed rock masses using the three-dimensional distinct element code program. First, experimental studies using the quasi-static resonant column (QSRC) testing device are performed on regularly jointed disc column specimens for three different materials (acetal, aluminum, and gneiss). The P- and S-wave velocities of the specimens are obtained under various normal stress levels. The normal and shear joint stiffness are calculated from the experimental results using an equivalent continuum model and used as input parameters for numerical analysis. The spatial and temporal sizes are carefully selected to guarantee a stable numerical simulation. Based on the calibrated jointed rock model, the numerical and experimental results are compared.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.89-107
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• 2019

Rock joints have an extremely important role in analyzing the mechanical stability and hydraulic characteristics of rock mass structures. Most rock joint parameters are generally indicated as a distribution by statistical techniques. In this research, calculation technique of Joint Center Volume (JCV) is analyzed, which is required for estimating the size distribution having the largest uncertainty among the joint parameters, then a new technique is proposed which is applicable regardless of the shape of survey window. The existing theoretical JCV calculation technique can be applied only to the plane window, and the complete enumeration techniques show the limitations in joint trace type and analysis time. This research aims to overcome the limitations in survey window shape and joint trace type through calculating JCV by using Monte Carlo simulation. The applicability of proposed technique is validated through the estimation results at non-planar survey windows such as curved surface and tunnel surface.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.17-30
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• 2009

Underground construction such as tunneling can induce damages on the surrounding rock mass, due to the stress concentration of in situ stresses and excessive energy input during construction sequence, such as blasting. The developed damage on the rock mass can have substantial influence on the mechanical and hydraulic behaviors of the rock masses around a tunnel. In this study, investigation on the generation of damage around an opening in a jointed rock model under biaxial compression condition was conducted. The joint dip angles employed are 30, 45, and 60 degrees to the horizontal, and the synthetic rock mass was made using early strength cement and water. From the biaxial compression test, initiation and propagation of tensile cracks at norm to the joint angle were found. The propagated tensile cracks eventually developed rock blocks, which were dislodged from the rock mass. Furthermore, the propagation process of the tensile cracks varies with joint angle: lower joint angle model shows more stable and progressive tensile crack propagation. The development of the tensile crack can be explained under the hypothesis that the rock segment encompassed by the joint set is subjected to the developing moment, which can be induced by the geometric irregularity around the opening in the rock model. The experiment results were simulated by using discrete element method PFC 2D. From the simulation, as has been observed from the test, a rock mass with lower joint angle produces wider damage region and rock block by tensile cracks. In addition, a rock model with lower joint angle shows progressive tensile cracks generation around the opening from the investigation of the interacted tensile cracks.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.231-237
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• 2001

This paper presents some proposed methods for discontinuum analysis with rock discontinuities data acquisited in tunnel design stage. The limit equilibrium method for rock block sliding and falling proposed in this paper can consider the tunnel excavation and support stage, and, to the extent, the standard deviations and means of joint set orientation. Simple Distinct Elemet modelling methods are recommended in estimating the stability of tunnels in jointed rock masses. Because, the simple models are likely to show more consistent and clear than very complex model with finite joint length and joint deviation parameters.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.19-30
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• 2002

Rock joint orientation is one of important geometric attributes that have an influence on the stability of rock structures such as rock slopes and tunnels. Especially, statistical models of the geometric attributes of rock joints can provide a probabilistic approach of rock engineering problems. The result from probabilistic modeling relies on the choice of statistical model. Therefore, it is critical to define a representative statistical model for joint orientation data as well as joint size and intensity and build up a series of modeling procedure including analytical validation. In this paper, we have examined a theoretical methodology for the statistical estimate and hypothesis analysis based upon Fisher distribution and bivariate normal distribution. In addition, we have proposed the algorithms of random number generator which is applied to the simulation of rock joint networks and risk analysis.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.10-16
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• 2016

Recently, transition from open pit to underground mining in limestone mines is an increasing trend in Korea due to environmental issues such as noise, dust and vibrations caused by crushers and equipment. The severe damages in the surrounding rock mass of underground opening caused by explosive blasting may lead to rock fall hazards or casualties. It is well known that variables which mainly affect blast-induced rock falls in underground mining are: blast vibration level, joint orientation and distribution and shape of the cross sections of underground structures. In this study, UDEC program, which is a DEM code, is used to simulate blast vibration-induced rock fall in underground openings. Variation of joint space, joint angle and joint normal stiffness was considered to investigate the effect of joint characteristics on the blast vibration-induced rock fall in underground opening. Finally, jointed rock mass models considering blast-induced damage zone were examined to simulate the critical blast vibration value which may cause rock falls in underground opening.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.43-52
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• 2014

This paper examined the effect of step-wise excavation depth on the earth pressure against an excavation wall in rock mass. Numerical parametric studies were conducted based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to carry out the problems in rock mass. Controlled parameters included step-wise excavation depth, rock types, and joint conditions (joint shear strength and joint inclination angle). The magnitude and distribution characteristics of the induced earth pressure in a jointed rock mass were investigated and compared with Peck's earth pressure for soil ground. The results showed that the earth pressure against an excavation wall in rock mass were highly affected by different rock and joint conditions, and the effect of step-wise excavation depth increased as a rock type is deteriorated more. In addition, it was found that the earth pressure against an excavation wall in rock mass might be considerably different from Peck's empirical earth pressure for soil ground.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2010

This study focuses on the phenomenon that the blast damaged zone developed on rock slope surfaces can be affected by joint characteristics rather than by explosive power when the pre-splitting is applied to excavate a jointed rock slope. The characteristics of rock joints on a slope were investigated and categorized them into 4 cases. Also an image processing system has been used for comparing the distribution pattern of rock blocks. From this investigation, it was found that the rock blocks bigger than 2,000 mm occupied 42% in the case of single joint set and it showed the well efficiency of pre-splitting blast. In cases of 2~3 parallel joint sets and 2~3 intersecting joint sets are developed on rock surfaces, the rock blocks in the range of 1,000~2,000 mm occupied 43.6% and 35.8%, respectively, and it showed that the efficiency of pre-splitting was decreased. When more than 3 joint sets are randomly developed, however, the rock blocks in the range of 250~500 mm occupied 35% and there was no block bigger than 1,000 mm. This denotes that the blasting with pre-splitting was not effective. The numerical analysis using PFC2D showed that the blast damaged zone in a rock mass could be directly influenced by the pre-splitting. It is, therefore, required to investigate the discontinuity pattern on rock surfaces in advance, when the pre-splitting method is applied to excavate jointed rock slopes and to apply a flexible blating design with a consideration of the joint characteristics.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.359-368
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• 2003

A quarry is operated for filling-up the New Busan Harbor which is under construction, but actual rock quality is something different from the primary design. Therefore, object of this study is to classify whole rock quality for the quarry through site investigation and laboratory analyses because unexpected large amount of wasted rock is produced. For this object, various analyses were performed such as surveying, Schimidt Hammer test. joint spacing investigation and laboratory analyses using DIPS & RockWorks programs for evaluating joint sets and sizes of rock fragments after blasting. As a result, it is expected that large amount of wasted rock under ${\Phi}100mm$ is produced after blasting because of high joint density.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.505-513
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• 2014

This paper investigated the effect of joint on the earth pressure against an excavation wall in rockmass with the consideration of various rock and joint conditions. For this purpose, this study briefly reviewed of the previous earth pressure studies, and then numerical parametric studies were conducted based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to overcome the limitations of the previous studies. The numerical tests were carried out with the controlled parameters including rock types and joint conditions (joint shear strength, joint inclination angle, and joint set), and the magnitude and distribution characteristics of the induced earth pressure were investigated considering the interactions between the ground and the excavation wall. In addition, the earth pressures induced in rock stratum were compared with Peck's earth pressure for soil ground. The results showed that the earth pressure against an excavation wall in jointed rockmass were highly affected by different rock and joint conditions and thus different from Peck's empirical earth pressure for soil ground.