• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.168-185
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• 2015

The thermal-hydrological-mechanical (T-H-M) behavior of rock mass surrounding a large-scale high-temperature cavern thermal energy storage (CTES) at a shallow depth has been investigated, and the effects of hydrological conditions such as water table and rock permeability on the behavior have been examined. The liquid saturation of ground water around a storage cavern may have a small impact on the overall heat transfer and mechanical behavior of surrounding rock mass for a relatively low rock permeability of $10^{-17}m^2$. In terms of the distributions of temperature, stress and displacement of the surrounding rock mass, the results expected from the simulation with the cavern below the water table were almost identical to that obtained from the simulation with the cavern in the unsaturated zone. The heat transfer in the rock mass with reasonable permeability ${\leq}10^{-15}m^2$ was dominated by the conduction. In the simulation with rock permeability of $10^{-12}m^2$, however, the convective heat transfer by ground-water was dominant, accompanying the upward heat flow to near-ground surface. The temperature and pressure around a storage cavern showed different distributions according to the rock permeability, as a result of the complex coupled processes such as the heat transfer by multi-phase flow and the evaporation of ground-water.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.12-29
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• 2019

Permeability and its change due to a fluid injection in jointed rock mass is an important factor to be well identified for a safe and successful implementation of Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS), Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) and Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) projects which may accompany injection-induced hydromechanical deformation of the rock mass. In this technical report, we first reviewed important issues in evaluating initial permeability using borehole hydraulic tests and numierical approaches for understanding coupled hydromechanical properties of rock mass. Recent SIMFIP testing device to measure these hydromechanical properties directly through in-situ borehole experiments was also reviewed. The technical significance and usefulness of the device for further applications was discussed as well.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 1997

It is necessary to study on thermo-hydro-mechanical effect at rock mass performing project such as radiowaste disposal in deep rock mass. In this study, thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling analysis which is considered interaction and the variation of rock properties induced by temperature increase was performed for the circular shaft when appling temperature of 20$0^{\circ}C$ at the shaft wall. The shaft is diameter of 2 m and under hydrostatic stress of 5 MPa. In the cases, thermal expansion by temperature increase progress from the wall to outward and thermal expansion could induce tensile stress over the tensile strength of rock mass at the wall. When rock properties were given as a function of temperature, thermal expansion increased, tensile stress zone expanded. Lately, water flow is activated by increase of permeability and decrease of viscosity.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.5C
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• pp.359-368
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• 2006

After construction, time-variant seepage and long-term underground motion are representative factors to understand the abnormal behavior of tunnels. In this study, numerical models have been developed to analyze the behavior of tunnels associated with seepage and long-term underground motion. Possible scenarios have been investigated to establish causes-and-results mechanisms. Various parameters such as permeability of tunnel filter, seepage condition, water table, long-term rock mass load, size of damaged zone due to excessive blasting have been investigated. These are divided into two sub-parts depending on the tunnel type and major loading mechanisms depending on the types. For the soft ground tunnels, the behavior associated with seepage conditions has been studied and the effect of permeability change in tunnel-filter and the effect of water-table change which are seldom measurable are investigated in detail. For the rock mass tunnels, tunnel behavior associated with the visco-plastic behavior of rock mass has been studied and the long-term rock mass loads as a result of relaxation and creep have been considered.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.17 no.1 s.50
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• pp.135-142
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• 2007

Although rock itself has high strength or low permeability, engineering properties of rock masses are significantly influenced by discontinuities such as cracks and joints. Considered with possibility of groundwater flow in massive rock mass of deep subsurface, the connectivity of micro cracks should be analyzed as a conduit of ground-water flow. The objective of this study is to estimate permeability characteristics of granite dependent on damage process with application of joint distribution analysis and modeling of permeability analysis in rock masses. In case of average permeability coefficients, the modeling results based on micro cracks data are well matched with the results from permeability tests. Based on the visualization result of three dimensional model, the average permeability coefficients through the discharge plane have a positive relationship with the number of microcrack induced by rock damage.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.585-594
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• 2019

In-situ leaching could be one of the promising mining methods to extract the minerals from deep fractured rock mass. Constrained by the low permeability at depth, however, the performance does not meet the expectation. In fact, the rock mass permeability mainly depends on the pre-existing natural fractures and therefore play a crucial role in in-situ leaching performance. More importantly, fractures have various characteristics, such as aperture, persistence, and density, which have diverse contributions to the promising method. Hence, it is necessary to study the variation of fluid rate versus fracture parameters to enhance in-situ leaching performance. Firstly, the subsurface fractures from the depth of 1500m to 2500m were mapped using the discrete fracture network (DFN) in this paper, and then the numerical model was calibrated at a particular case. On this basis, the fluid flow through fractured rock mass with various fracture characteristics was analyzed. The simulation results showed that with the increase of Fisher' K value, which determine the fracture orientation, the flow rate firstly decreased and then increased. Subsequently, as another critical factor affecting the fluid flow in natural fractures, the fracture transmissivity has a direct relationship with the flow rate. Sensitive study shows that natural fracture characteristics play a critical role in in-situ leaching performance.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2019

Grout injection is mainly used for permeability reduction and/or improvement of the ground by injecting grout material into pores, cracks, and joints in the ground. The oscillatory grout injection method was developed to enhance the grout penetration. In order to verify the level of enhancement of the grout, field grout injection tests, both static and oscillatory tests, were performed at three job sites. The enhancement in the permeability reduction and ground improvement effect was verified by performing a core boring, borehole image processing analysis, phenolphthalein test, scanning electron microscopy analysis, variable heat test, Lugeon test, standard penetration test, and an elastic wave test. The oscillatory grout injection increased the joint filling rate by 80% more and decreased the permeability coefficient by 33-68%, more compared to the static grout injection method. The constrained modulus of the jointed rock mass was increased by 50% more with oscillatory grout injection compared to the static grout injection, indicating that the oscillatory injection was more effective in enhancing the stiffness of the rock mass.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.593-600
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• 2016

To understand the mechanical properties of rock masses and intact rock in Korea, data from 4,280 in situ and laboratory tests from 107 tunnels on general national roads were analyzed. The mechanical properties (unit weight, cohesion, friction angle, modulus of deformation, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength, coefficient of permeability, and specific gravity) were analyzed by rock types and strength of rock in each rock type. The results of analysis, the mean specific gravity was highest in gneiss. The coefficient of permeability and Poisson's ratio show the highest mean values in granite and metamorphic rock, respectively. In addition, the unit weight, cohesion and friction angle in sedimentary rock, modulus of deformation, Young's modulus, uniaxial compressive strength and tensile strength in volcanic rock have the highest mean values. The values for each mechanical property showed wide ranges by the heterogeneity and anisotropy of rock masses in spite of detailed analysis by rock type and classification of rocks according to the strength.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.287-296
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• 2011

We performed a numerical modeling study of thermodynamic and multiphase fluid flow processes associated with underground compressed air energy storage (CAES) in a lined rock cavern (LRC). We investigated air tightness performance by calculating air leakage rate of the underground storage cavern with concrete linings at a comparatively shallow depth of 100 m. Our air-mass balance analysis showed that the key parameter to assure the long-term air tightness of such a system was the permeability of both concrete linings and surrounding rock mass. It was noted that concrete linings with a permeability of less than $1.0{\times}10^{-18}\;m^2$ would result in an acceptable air leakage rate of less than 1% with the operational pressure range between 5 and 8 MPa. We also found that air leakage could be effectively prevented and the air tightness performance of underground lined rock cavern is enhanced if the concrete lining is kept at a higher moisture content.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.307-322
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• 2023

Rock-mass grouting plays a crucial role in the construction of dams and deep caverns, effectively preventing seepage in the foundations, enhancing stability, and mitigating hazards. Most rock grouting is affected by hydrogeological and rock engineering indices such as rock quality designation (RQD), rock mass quality (Q-value), geological strength index (GSI), joint spacing (Js), joint aperture (Ap), lugeon value (Lu), secondary permeability index (SPI), and coefficient of permeability (K). Therefore, accurate geological analysis of basic rock properties and guidelines for grouting construction are essential for ensuring safe and effective grouting design and construction. Such analysis has been applied in dam construction sites, with a particular focus on the geological characteristics of bedrock and the development of prediction methods for grout take. In South Korea, many studies have focused on grout injection materials and construction management techniques. However, there is a notable lack of research on the analysis of hydrogeological and rock engineering information for rock masses, which are essential for the development of appropriate rock grouting plans. This paper reviews the current state of research into the correlation between the grout take with important hydrogeological and rock engineering indices. Based on these findings, future directions for the development of rock grouting research in South Korea are discussed.