• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.173-179
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• 2000

The influence of the plastic flow rules on the elasto-plastic behaviour of a discrete joint element was investigated by performing the numerical direct shear tests under both constant normal displacement and normal displacement conditions. The finite interface elements obeying Plesha’s joint constitutive law was used to allow the relative motion of the rock blocks on the joint surface. Realistic results were obtained in the tests adopting the non-associated flow rule, while the associated flow rule overestimated the joint dilation. To overcome the computational drawbacks coming from the non-symmetric element stiffness matrix in the conventional non-associated plasticity, the symmetric formulation of the tangential stiffness matrix for a non-associated joint element was proposed. The symmetric elasto-plastic matrix it derived by assuming an imaginary equivalent joint with associated flow rule which shows the same plastic response as that of original Joint with non-associated flow rule. The validity of the formulation was confirmed through the numerical direct shear tests under constant normal stress condition.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.235-244
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• 2016

Grouting is frequently used before the construction of subsea tunnels to mitigate problems that can occur in weak ground zones such as joints, faults or unconsolidated settlements during construction. The grout material injected into rock mass often flows through the discontinuities present in the host rock and hence, joint properties such as its distribution, roughness and thickness greatly affect the properties of grouting-improved rocks. The grouting-improved zones near subsea tunnels are also subjected to high water pressures that can cause long-term weathering in the form of changes in grout microstructure and crack formation and lead to subsequent changes in ground properties. Therefore, an assessment method is needed to accurately measure changes in the grouting-improved zones near subsea tunnels. In this study, the elastic wave propagation characteristics in grouting-improved rocks were tested for various axial stress levels, curing time, joint roughness and thickness conditions under laboratory conditions and the results were compared with wave velocity standards in different Korean rock mass classification systems to provide a basis for inferring improvement in grouted rock-mass.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.6C
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• pp.203-212
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• 2011

This paper investigates the caharactheristics of the earth pressure magnigue and distribution in jointed rockmass for a safe and economic design and construction of earth retaining structures installed in rock stratum. For this purpose, this study will first investigate the limitations and problems of the existing earth pressure studies and then to overcome them th study will conduct the discontinuum numerical parametric studies based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM), which can consider the joint characteristics in rock stratum. The controlled parameters include rock type and joint conditions (joint shear strength and joint angle), and the magnitude and distribution characteristics of earth pressure have been investigated considering the interactions between the ground and the retaining structures. In addition, the comparison between the earth pressures induced in rock stratum and Peck's earth pressure for soil ground has been carried out. From the comparison, it is found that the earth pressure magnitude and distribution in jointed rockmass has been highly affected by rock type and joint condition and has shown different characteristics compared with the Peck's empirical earth pressure. This result would hereafter be utilized as an important information and a useful data for the assessment of earth pressure for designing a retaining structures installed in jointed rockmass.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.211-219
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• 2023

This study analyzes the changes in the physical properties of grout by irradiating it with ultrasonic energy and assesses the injectability of the grout into deep rock fractures. The materials used in the research are OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) and MC (Micro Cement), and are irradiated depending on the water/cement ratio. After irradiating the grout with ultrasonic energy, viscosity, compressive strength, and particle size are analyzed, and the results of the particle size analysis were applied to Nick Barton's theory to evaluate the injectability of the grout into deep rock fractures under those conditions. It was found that the viscosity of the grout decreased after ultrasonic wave irradiation, and the rate of viscosity reduction tended to decrease as the water/cement ratio increased. Additionally, an increase in compressive strength and a decrease in particle size were observed, indicating that the grout irradiated with ultrasonic energy was more effective for injection into rock fractures.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.234-248
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• 1998

This paper presents a new constitutive model for numerical modeling the shear behaviour of rough rock joints. The model incorporates the dilatancy of joints on the basis of elasto-plastic theory. Barton's empirical shear strength formular are adopted in the formulation process. The mobilized JRC concept is evoked to address the shear strength hardening and sofrening phenomena. The mobilized JRC in the pre- and post-peak range is approximated by assuming that the variation of JRC is a function of tangential plastic work. Discrete finite joint element is used to implement the proposed constitutive model. The model is validated by the numerical direct shear test on a single joint which is subjected to different boundary conditions. The test results are in good agreement with the experimental observations reported by other authors. The numerical tests also exhibit that the proposed model can simulate the salient features envisaged in the behaviour of rough rock joints.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.350-363
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• 1999

The precision cyclic shear test system was established to investigate the mechanical characteristics of rough rock joints under cyclic loading conditions. Laboratory cyclic shear tests were conducted for saw-cut joints and artificial rough rock joints using Hwangdeung granite and Yeosan marble. Surface roughness and aperture characteristics of specimens were examined by measuring surface topography using the laser profilometer. Peak shear strength, phase difference during loading and unloading, and anisotropic shear behavior were investigated throughout the cyclic shear test results. These features and their subsequent variations in each loading cycle are significantly dependent upon the second order asperities and the strength of intact rock. It was observed that degradation of asperities for rough rock joints under cyclic shear loading followed the exponential degradation laws of asperity angle and that the mechanism for asperity degradation would be different depending upon the normal stress level, roughness of joint surface and the loading stage.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.267-276
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• 2010

In modern rock engineering practice, fully grouted rock bolting is actively employed as a major supporting system, so that understanding the behavior of fully grouted rock bolts is essential for the precise design of rock bolting. Despite its importance, the supporting mechanism of rock bolts has not been fully understood yet. Since most of existing analytical models for rock bolts were developed by drastically simplifying their boundary conditions, they are not suitable for the bolts of in-situ condition. In this study, 3-D elastic FE analysis of fully grouted rock bolts has been conducted to provide insight into the supporting mechanism of the bolt. The distribution of shear and axial stresses along the bolt are investigated with the consideration of different boundary conditions including three different displacement boundary conditions at the bolt head, the presence of intersecting rock joints, and the variation of elastic modulus of adjacent rock. The numerical result reveals that installation of the faceplate at the bolt head plays an important role in mobilizing the supporting action and enhancing the supporting capabilities of the fully grouted rock bolts.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.663-680
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• 2012

Previous major earthquakes revealed that most damage of the buried segmented pipelines occurs at the joints of the pipelines. It has been proven that the differential motions between the pipe segments are one of the primary reasons that results in the damage (Zerva et al. 1986, O'Roueke and Liu 1999). This paper studies the combined influences of ground motion spatial variations and local soil conditions on the seismic responses of buried segmented pipelines. The heterogeneous soil deposits surrounding the pipelines are assumed resting on an elastic half-space (base rock). The spatially varying base rock motions are modelled by the filtered Tajimi-Kanai power spectral density function and an empirical coherency loss function. Local site amplification effect is derived based on the one-dimensional wave propagation theory by assuming the base rock motions consist of out-of-plane SH wave or combined in-plane P and SV waves propagating into the site with an assumed incident angle. The differential axial and lateral displacements between the pipeline segments are stochastically formulated in the frequency domain. The influences of ground motion spatial variations, local soil conditions, wave incident angle and stiffness of the joint are investigated in detail. Numerical results show that ground motion spatial variations and local soil conditions can significantly influence the differential displacements between the pipeline segments.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.16 no.2 s.61
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• pp.166-178
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• 2006

Recently, the frequency of occurring dynamic events such as earthquakes, explosives blasting and other types of vibration has been increasing. Besides, the chances of exposure for rock discontinuities to free faces get higher as the scale of rock mass structures become larger. For that reason, the frictional behavior of rock joints under dynamic conditions needs to be investigated. In this study, artificially fractured rock joint specimens were prepared in order to examine the dynamic frictional behavior of rough rock joint. Roughness of each specimen was characterized by measuring surface topography using a laser profilometer and a series of shaking table tests was carried out. For mated joints, the static friction angle back-calculated ken the yield acceleration was $2.7^{\circ}$ lower than the tilt angle on average. The averaged dynamic friction angle for unmated joints was $1.8^{\circ}$ lower than the tilt angle. Displacement patterns of sliding block were classified into 4 types and proved to be related to the first order asperity of rock joint. The tilt angle and the static friction angle for mated joints seem to be correlated to micro average inclination angle which represents the second order asperity. The tilt angle and the dynamic friction angle for unmated Joints, however, have no correlation with roughness parameters. Friction angles obtained by shaking table test were lower than those by direct shear test.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.189-198
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• 2009

Recently the concern about the construction of underground structures such as oil and food storage caverns is increasing in Korea and abroad. The stability of those underground caverns is greatly influenced by shape factor and the size of excavation area as well as the joint conditions. In this study, therefore, the effect of the shape factor of an underground cavern on its stability was analyzed in terms of safety factor. To this end, four different shape factors of a cavern excavated in good rock conditions were investigated and sensitivity analyses were performed based on overburden, lateral earth pressure coefficient, joint spacing, properties, and orientation. The stability of a cavern is evaluated in terms of safety factor estimated numerically based on the shear strength reduction technique. In future, this study is expected to be helpful in designing and evaluating the stability of caverns excavated in discontinuous rock masses.