• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.461-473
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• 2020

Natural rock mass contains defects of different shapes, usually filled with inclusions such as clay or gravel. The presence of inclusions affects the failure characteristics and mechanical properties of rock mass. In this study, the strength and failure characteristics of rock with inclusions were studied using the particle flow code under uniaxial compression. The results show that the presence of inclusions not only improves the mechanical properties of rock with defects but also increases the bearing capacity of rock. Circular inclusion has the most obvious effect on improving model strength. The inclusions affect the stress distribution, development of initial crack, change in crack propagation characteristics, and failure mode of rock. In defect models, concentration area of the maximum tensile stress is generated at the top and bottom of defect, and the maximum compressive stress is distributed on the left and right sides of defect. In filled models, the tensile stress and compressive stress are uniformly distributed. Failing mode of defect models is mainly tensile failure, while that of filled models is mainly shear failure.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.967-973
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• 2004

Rock socketed drilled shafts transfer significant portion of structural loads at the socketed part. Therefore, a proper design of side and base resistances of a shaft at the socket is a major concern for the geotechnical engineers. In this study, we modified the Hoek-Brown criterion to estimate side resistance of rock socketed drilled shafts. Earlier method to compute side resistance of a shaft is linear or power functions of intact rock masses. However, side resistance is mobilized like shearing which influenced by the mechanical properties of concrete and rock masses, adhesion of rock/concrete interface, roughness of rock socket. Therefore, a single coefficient or power of uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock cannot provide accurate values of side resistance in a wide range of the uniaxial compressive strength. A new approach proposed in this study can consider in situ rock mass condition (frequency or discontinuities, weathering condition), and rock types thus, it has a wider applicability than the earlier models.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.194-201
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• 2008

In order to investigate the characteristics in tensile strength of transversely isotropic rock, a new anisotropic tensile failure function was suggested. According to the function, the tensile strength is minimum in the normal direction to a weakness plane and rises exponentially to its maximum on a plane perpendicular to the weakness plane. The anisotropic function is defined in terms of three strength parameters which can be identified trom direct tensile tests of transversely isotropic rocks. By incorporating the suggested function into the critical plane approach, a numerical procedure which enables to search the tensile strength and the direction of critical plane at failure was presented. The validity of the suggested numerical procedure was checked through the simulation of direct tensile tests reported in a literature. The numerical results from the simulation were in good agreements with those from the laboratory tests.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1183-1191
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• 2018

Reliability analysis is generally regarded as the most appropriate method when uncertainties are taken into account in slope designs. With the help of limit analysis, probability evaluation for three-dimensional rock slope stability was conducted based upon the Mote Carlo method. The nonlinear Hoek-Brown failure criterion was employed to reflect the practical strength characteristics of rock mass. A form of stability factor is used to perform reliability analysis for rock slopes. Results show that the variation of strength uncertainties has significant influence on probability of failure for rock slopes, as well as strength constants. It is found that the relationship between probability of failure and mean safety factor is independent of the magnitudes of input parameters but relative to the variability of variables. Due to the phenomenon, curves displaying this relationship can provide guidance for designers to obtain factor of safety according to required failure probability.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.1050-1056
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• 2008

Many cut slopes are situated on national highways. In this study, we chose rock slopes of moderated weathering grade to analyze general strength parameters of cut slopes. We analyzed the strength parameters of selected rock slopes by the experience method. Also, we arranged the strength parameters by area and rock types.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.69-83
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• 2012

A study on strength decrease due to water contents through infiltration has been conducted with 9 rocks of high frequency in Korea. It has been proved that a strength decrease through infiltration has high dependence on rock strengths ranges while the species of rock have no impact. It has been found that the weaker the rocks are, the more sensitive the strength decreases are, and that water content of 0.5% corresponds to strength decrease of almost 50%. Another finding is that most rocks have a failure when water content is about one quarter~one half of its saturation. It has been shown that the weakening of rock strength due to water content results from leaching and the weakening of bonding strength of cementation materials.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1999.03a
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• pp.159-166
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• 1999

One of the most general methods that can evaluate the rippability is the seismic exploration. However, most field engineers have hardly used the seismic exploration. Instead of using the seismic exploration, they have usually used rock hammer and naked eyes to confirm the degree of rippability for soil, ripping rock and blasting rock. Therefore, to excavate the ground rationally, it is required to establish a quantitative criterion that can be used for distinguishing rippability. In this study, we find out the characteristics of rock strength through laboratory and field tests. The weathering condition of rock exposed to air due to excavation of soil layer and the variation of rock strength caused by weathering were investigated. A relationship between rock strength values that are obtained from uniaxial compression test, slaking durability test, point load test, schmidt hammer test and absorption ratio test is analyzed. The relationship is expressed in a form of equation by which we can evaluate the rock strengths obtained from simple laboratory and field tests. To evaluate rippability in a reasonable manner, a quantitative approach is proposed and a check list of rippability is developed based on the proposed methodology. It is recommended to modify the proposed method for evaluation of rippability in the field.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.627-643
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• 2022

Water-rock interactions have a significant influence on the mechanical behavior of rocks. In this study, uniaxial compression and tension tests on different water-treated sandstone samples were conducted. Acoustic emission (AE) monitoring and micro-pore structure detection were carried out. Water-rock interactions and their effects on rock mechanical behavior were discussed. The results indicate that water content significantly weakens rock mechanical strength. The sensitivity of the mechanical parameters to water treatment, from high to low, are Poisson ratio (𝜇), uniaxial tensile strength (UTS), uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), elastic modulus (E), and peak strain (𝜀). After water treatment, AE activities and the shear crack percentage are reduced, the angles between macro fractures and loading direction are minimized, the dynamic phenomenon during loading is weakened, and the failure mode changes from a mixed tensile-shear type to a tensile one. Due to the softening, lubrication, and water wedge effects in water-rock interactions, water content increases pore size, promotes crack development, and weakens micro-pore structures. Further damage of rocks in fractured and caved zones due to the water-rock interactions leads to an extra load on the adjoining coal and rock masses, which will increase the risk of dynamic disasters.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.573-586
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• 2023

Joints or weak planes can induce anisotropy in the strength and deformability of fractured rock masses. Comprehending this anisotropic behavior is crucial to engineering geology. This study used plaster as a friction material to mold specimens with a single joint. The strength and deformability of the specimens were measured in true triaxial compression tests. The measured results were compared with three-dimensional numerical analysis based on the distinct element method, conducted under identical conditions, to assess the reliability of the modeled values. The numerical results highlight that the principal stress conditions in the field, in conjunction with joint orientations, are crucial factors to the study of the strength and deformability of fractured rock masses. The strength of a transversely isotropic rock mass derived numerically considering changes in the dip angle of the joint notably increases as the intermediate principal stress increases. This increment varies depending on the dip of the joint. Moreover, the interplay between the dip direction of the joint and the two horizontal principal stress directions dictates the strength of the transversely isotropic rock mass. For a rock mass with two joint sets, the set with the steeper dip angle governs the overall strength. If a rock bridge effect occurs owing to the limited continuity of one of the joint sets, the orientation of the set with longer continuity dominates the strength of the entire rock mass. Although conventional three-dimensional failure criteria for fractured rock masses have limited applicability in the field, supplementing them with numerical analysis proves highly beneficial.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.144-154
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• 1995

In this paper, we make a study on comparison and evaluation of the seoul granite properties, which are unit weight, uniaxial compressive strength, Brazilian tensile strength and, point load strength. The typical result are as follow- 1. From the measured value of point load strength anisotropy index, the seoul granite is considered to be homogeneous. 2. There is a linear relationship between uniaxial compressive strength and size corrected point load strength index. 3. Brazilian tensile strength and size corrected point load strength index are closely tied together.