• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.357-371
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• 2023

In cable tunnel construction using TBM, the vertical shaft is an essential structure for entrance and exit of TBM equipment and power lines. Since a shaft penetrates the ground vertically, it often encounters rock mass. Blasting or rock splitting methods, which are mainly used to the rock excavation, cause public complaints due to the noise, vibration and road occupation. Therefore, mechanical excavation using vertical shaft excavation machine are considered as an alternative to the conventional methods. However, at the current level of technology, the vertical excavation machine has limitation in its performance when applied for high strength rock with a compressive strength of more than 120 MPa. In this study, the potential utilization of waterjet technology as an excavation assistance method was investigated to improve mechanical excavation performance in the hard rock formations. Rock cutting experiments were conducted to verify the cutting performance of the abrasive waterjet. Based on the experimental result, it was found that ensuring excavation performance with respect to changing in ground conditions can be achieved by adjusting waterjet parameters such as standoff distance, traverse speed and water pressure. In addition, based on the relationship between excavation performance, uniaxial compressive strength and RQD, it was suggested that excavation performance could be improved by artificially creating joints using the abrasive waterjet. It is expected that these research results can be utilized as fundamental data for the introduction of vertical shaft excavation machines in the future.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.43-63
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• 2023

With the concentration of the population in the city center and the saturation of the structures on the ground, the development of the underground structures becomes important and the construction of an adjoining tunnel that can reduce the overall problems is respected. In addition, it is necessary to apply the reinforcement construction method for the pillar part of the adjacent tunnel that can secure stability, economy and workability of the site. In this study, the tunnel pillar reinforcement method using prestress and grouting was reviewed. There are various reinforcement methods that can compensate for the problems of the side tunnel, but as the tunnel pillar construction method using prestress and grouting is judged to be excellent in field applicability, stability and economic feasibility, theoretical and numerical analysis of the actual behavior mechanism are conducted. Numerical analysis is divided into PC stranded wire + steel pipe reinforcement grouting + prestress (Case 1), pillar part tie bolt reinforcement (Case 2), pillar part non-reinforcement (Case 3) under the same ground conditions, and the maximum value of the celling displacement, internal displacement, and member force, the stability was confirmed. Through numerical analysis, it was confirmed that Case 1 which reinforced the PC stranded wire, was the best construction method and if it is verified and supplemented through field experiments later, it will be possible to derive superior results in terms of displacement control and member force than the currently applied reinforcement method was judged.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.65-85
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• 2023

The use of TBM (Tunnel boring machine) has increased worldwide due to its performance together with the benefit of being safely and environmentally friendly compared to conventional tunneling. In particular, EPB (Earth Pressure Balanced) TBM is widely used because it can be applied to various grounds compared to Open TBM. Also EPB TBM has a simple mechanical structure and advantages in cost, requires less ground area than Slurry TBM. EPB TBM has advantages in soft ground, and more importantly, can extend its applicability by use of appropriate soil conditioning, which improves mechanical and hydrological properties of excavated soil and increases the excavation performance of EPB TBM. Various studies suggested the proper mixing ratio and injection ratio, but almost they are limited to laboratory test under atmospheric pressure such as slump test. Actual field conditions may differ depending on the ground and mechanical condition. In this study, first the amount of used soil conditioning used in the field with various grounds from hard rock to soft ground was estimated through laboratory tests and compared with the estimate in design stage. And also it was compared with the amount used during actual excavation. In addition, experience of soil conditioning for the problems of cutter head clogging and groundwater inrush that occurred during excavation is discussed. Finally, lesson learned for the use of soil conditioning in difficult ground condition such as mixed ground are reviewed.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.101-120
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• 2023

Electrical resistivity survey have been widely conducted at diverse scales, from a few centimeters for laboratory tests to kilometers for field tests. It measures electrical resistance through relationship of electric potential difference and current between two electrodes penetrated on the surface of medium, and eventually quantifies electrical resistivity known as inherent properties of the medium. In field or full-scale test, it assumes the electrodes as equivalent half-sphere electrodes that have a same surface area with different electrodes for ease of calculation because the contact area between electrode and medium is small and sufficient distance between two electrodes. However, small-scale laboratory test is significantly affected by the electrode geometries (penetrated depth, height, radius of electrode and distance between electrodes), which change the equipotential surface and electric current flow. Indeed, the electrode geometries may eventually cause a difference of electrical resistivity value. This study reviews the theoretical electrical resistance derived with various electrode geometries (half-sphere, cylinder, cylindrical with half-spherical tip, cylindrical with conical tip) and verifies the developed numerical module by comparing results with the theoretical electrical resistance. The distributions of electrical resistance around electrodes and among electrodes are analyzed. In addition, it is discussed how the electrical characteristic of cylindrical electrode with conical tip widely used in field test has effect on the electric current flow.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.157-173
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• 2023

Although this site is designed with a non-vibration excavation method for a section of 265 m, there are concerns about decline of constructability and economic feasibility. For this reason, the low-vibration electronic detonator blasting method was suggested. To evaluate the applicability of the low-vibration electronic detonator blasting method, the damage range of blasting vibration of low-vibration electronic detonator blasting applied just before the site (suggestion I) and low-vibration electronic detonator blasting constructed close range the subway like this site (suggestion II) was analyzed. As a result of comparing the blasting vibration damage ranges of the two suggestions, the damage range of suggestion II was calculated more conservatively. Considering the specificity of the close range of this site, suggestion II was selected for design change for safer construction. As a result, it is predicted that there will be no damage to the structure even if the 72 m section out of the non-vibration excavation 265 m section is changed to the Low-vibration electronic detonator blasting. And it is evaluated that high economic benefits can be obtained because the total expected excavation period can be reduced by 144 days from 662.5 days.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-41
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• 2023

Submerged floating tunnels must be connected to the ground to connect continents. The displacement imbalance at the shore connection between the underground bored tunnel and submerged floating tunnel can cause stress concentration, accompanying a fracture at the shore connection. The elastic joint has been proposed as a method to relive the stress concentration, however, the effect of the elastic joints on the dynamic behavior should be evaluated. In this study, the submerged floating tunnel and shore connection under dynamic load conditions were simulated through numerical analysis using a numerical model verified through a small-scaled physical model test. The resonant frequency was considered as a dynamic behavioral characteristic of the tunnel under the impact load, and it was confirmed that the stiffness of the elastic joint and the resonant frequency exhibit a power function relationship. When the shore connection is designed with a soft joint, the resonant frequency of the tunnel is reduced, which not only increases the risk of resonance in the marine environment where a dynamic load of low frequency is applied, but also greatly increases the maximum velocity of tunnel when resonance occurs.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.13-26
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• 2023

Recently, as the development of underground spaces has become active due to rapid urbanization and population density, interest in the ground behavior according to the construction of underground spaces is increasing. In large cities with high population density and many buildings, ground subsidence has a great impact on structures and there may be a risk of collapse, so the analysis of ground behavior due to underground construction is essential. Previous studies have been conducted on the subsidence pattern of the surface and the deformation of the tunnel when constructing the tunnel, but analysis has rarely been conducted by using actual topographic information. Therefore, this study analyzed the difference in ground behavior between the actual topography and the flat topography. As a result, it was confirmed that ground settlement occurs at higher elevations, such as in mountainous topography, and when the numerical analysis is performed considering topographical information, the crown settlement of the tunnel is up to about approx. It showed a difference of 10 mm, and it was found that the sensitivity was less in the case of displacement of tunnel wall compared to the crown settlement and ground settlement. The numerical analysis considering the actual GIS-based topographic information presented in this study can be used to obtain more accurate surface subsidence data to understand the behavior of the upper structure due to tunnel excavation.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.175-186
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• 2023

The buffer materials in disposal hole are exposed to the decay heat from spent nuclear fuels and groundwater inflow through adjacent rockmass. Since understanding of thermal-hydro-mechanical-chemical (T-H-M-C) interaction in buffer material is crucial for predicting their long-term performance and safety of disposal repository, it is necessary to investigate the heating-hydration characteristics and consequent T-H-M-C behavior of the buffer materials under disposal conditions considering geochemical factors. In response, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute developed a laboratory-scale 'Lab.THMC' experiment system, which characterizes the T-H-M behavior of buffer materials under different geochemical conditions by analyzing heating-hydration process and stress changes. This technical report introduces the detail design of the Lab.THMC system, summarizes preliminary experimental results, and outlines future research plans.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.141-155
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• 2023

Monitoring technology based on electrical resistivity is widely used for non-destructive data collection and health analysis of underground structures and tunnels. Vulnerable sections such as fault zone generates many problems during construction of the tunnel. These problems cause displacement and stress changes of the ground. Therefore, it is necessary to predict the state of the fault zone section to ensure the mechanical stability of the underground structure. Monitoring the size of joints and the porosity of the fillings is essential for rocks. Previous studies have not considered the variety of fillings in rock joints. In this study, electrical resistivity tests were conducted according to the particle mixing state of the sandy fillings. When the size of fillings is decreased at the constant porosity, the electrical resistivity tends to increase. The results of this study are expected to be useful as basic electrical resistivity data for predicting the ground conditions and evaluation of the ground behavior that is containing sandy fillings in the rock joint for tunnels.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.31-45
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• 2009

The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag to the development of the Powdered Ready-mixed Shotcrete. First of all, after accomplishing SEM analysis and Leaching Test, the laboratory and field experiments for evaluating the utility of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag were performed. As a result of SEM and Leaching test, the environmental stability was confirmed. That is, non-detection of harmful lists and dense shotcrete structure result from mixing Granulated Blast Furnace Slag. As a result of lab. and field test, Blast Furnace Slag is superior to Plain Batch in improving strength and durability. And it will be able to improve to some extent the problem caused by the delayed reaction of existing Granulated Blast Furnace Slag with alkali activated material. Also the proper amount of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag is estimated to be under 30%. Finally, it is possible that Granulated Blast Furnace Slag can apply to economical recycling and development of the Ready-mixed Shotcrete for its price is only about 5% of Silica-finne's price.