• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.243-254
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• 2014

The present study introduces a numerical technique to simulate the mechanical behavior of brittle rock, based on a grain-based model combined with Universal Distinct Element Code (GBM-UDEC). Using the technique, the microstructure of rock sample was represented as an assembly of deformable polygonal grains, and the failure process with the evolution of micro tensile cracks under compression was examined. In terms of the characteristics of strength and deformation, the behaviors of the simulated model showed good agreement with the observations in the laboratory-scale experiments of rock.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.68-84
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• 1991

A numerical analysis using Universal Distinct Element Code program for the nuclear waste disposal cavern has been performed for a typical Korean crystalline rock condition with same geometry of Swedish low and intermediate nuclear waste disposal repository(S.F.R). The stress concentration, displacement and safety factor for the typical single cross section of cavern, 5 caverns and a silo are analyzed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.436-446
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• 2008

The volumetric expansion ratio of rock mass on the subsidence occurrence area can explain why the depth of the surface subsidence is lower than the height of an opening; it is because the empty space of the gangway is filled with the broken rock. But, until now, when the surface subsidence mechanism is studied without consideration of the volumetric expansion ratio, it is usually overlooked that the amount of subsidence occurrence can be overestimated. Therefore, in this study, the authors researched the subsidence occurrence mechanism with a new theoretical approaching method. The volumetric expansion ratio obtained from this method has been applied to the numerical simulations. The authors adopted the UDEC(Universal Distinct Element Code) for their discontinuum numerical analysis, because this program has an advantage for analyzing the behavior of rock discontinuities.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.167-174
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• 2000

Profiles of discontinuities through scanline method were investigated for the analysis of rock slope stability. Lower hemispheric projection method was used to evaluate the geometric stability and failure potential of these discontinuities. Also, safety factor was evaluated for the discontinuities of failure potential using by limit equilibrium analysis. Then, displacements of rock block due to the discontinuities were displayed by using the program UDEC(Universal Distinct Element Code) which applied the Distinct Element Method. When we determine the cut-slope in design, the characteristics of discontinuities is not represented only by strength parameters of intact rock. Therefore it is more reasonable method in assuring stability that first, construction would be preceded by the cut-slope of preliminary design, and then, cut-slope would be redetermined by elaborate site investigation in processing construction.

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.42-43
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• 1991

균열성암반의 모형화 기술은 계속적으로 보완발전되어 UDEC이 개발되었으며, 현재 UDEC의 최신판은 블록 내부를 다시 유한차분요소로 분할하여 블록의 소성거동(Mohr-Coulomb Model) 및 쪼개짐을 고려할 수 있고, 절리면에서의 유체흐름 및 유압의 발생, 그리고 열응력 해석 등 평면변형 문제의 정적해석과 지진 및 폭발하중을 고려한 동적해석이 가능하다. UDEC은 전처리 기능이 뛰어나 최소한의 입력데이타로써 전체 모형의 데이타를 자동생성시키며 절리면의 통계학적 자동생성 및 터널형상의 자동생성도 가능하다. UDEC은 실용적인 보강요소를 구비하여 Rock Bolt 뿐만 아니라 그라우트를 고려한 Cable Bolt를 모형화할 수 있으며 국부적인(Key Block)보강으로써 불연속체 전체의 안정을 검토할 수 있다.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.541-554
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• 2023

The utilization of underground spaces in relation to tunnels and energy/waste storage is on the rise. To ensure the stability of underground spaces, it is crucial to reinforce rock fractures and discontinuities. Discontinuities, such as joints, can weaken the strength of the rock and lead to groundwater inflow into underground spaces. In order to enhance the strength and stability of the area around these discontinuities, rock grouting techniques are employed. However, during rock grouting, it is impossible to visually confirm whether the grouting material is being smoothly injected as intended. Without proper injection, the expected increases in strength, durability, and degree of consolidation may not be achieved. Therefore, it is necessary to predict in advance whether the grouting material is being injected as designed. In this study, we aimed to assess the injection performance based on injection variables such as the water/cement mixture ratio, injection pressure, and injection flow using UDEC (Universal Distinct Element Code) numerical program. Additionally, numerical results were validated by the lab experiment. The results of this study are expected to help optimize variables such as injection material properties, injection time, and pump pressure in the grouting design in the field.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.272-280
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• 2003

A definite shut-in pressure in hydraulic fracturing techniques is needed for obtaining the correct information on the in-situ stress regimes in rock masses. The relation between the behaviour of hydraulically induced fractures and the condition of remote stress is considered to be major reasons of an ambiguous shut-in pressure in hydraulic fracturing pressure-time history curves. This paper describes the results of a series of numerical analyses carried out using UDEC(Universal Distinct Element Code, Itasca), which is based on the discrete element method, to compare several methods for determining the shut-in pressure during hydraulic fracturing. The fully coupling of hydraulic and mechanical analysis was applied, and the effects of four different discontinuity geometries in numerical modelling have been investigated for this purpose. The effects of different remote stress regimes and different physical properties on hydraulic fracture propagation have been also analyzed. Several methods for obtaining shut-in pressure from the ambiguous shut-in curves have been applied to all the numerical models. The graphical intersection methods, such as (P vs. t) method, (P vs. log(t)) method, (log(P) vs. log(t)) method, give smaller values of the shut-in pressure than the statistical method, (dP/dt vs. P). Care should be taken in selecting a method for shut-in pressure, because there can be existed a stress anomaly around the wellbore and fracturing from the wellbore by a constant flow rate may have a more complicate mechanism.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.671-683
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• 2017

Groundwater control is a significant issue in most underground construction. An estimate of the inflow rate is required to size the pumping system, and treatment plant facilities for construction planning and cost assessment. An estimate of the excavation-induced drawdown of the initial groundwater level is required to evaluate potential environmental impacts. Analytical and empirical methods used in current engineering practice do not adequately account for the effect of the jointed-rock-mass anisotropy and heterogeneity. The impact of geostructural anisotropy of fractured rocks on tunnel inflows is addressed and the limitations of analytical solutions assuming isotropic hydraulic conductivity are discussed. In this paper the unexcavated Zagros tunnel route has been classified from groundwater flow point of view based on the combination of observed water inflow and numerical modeling results. Results show that, in this hard rock tunnel, flow usually concentrates in some areas, and much of the tunnel is dry. So the remaining unexcavated Zagros tunnel route has been categorized into three categories including high Risk, moderately risk and low risk. Results show that around 60 m of tunnel (3%) length can conduit the large amount of water into tunnel and categorized into high risk zone and about 45% of tunnel route has moderately risk. The reason is that, in this tunnel, most of the water flows in rock fractures and fractures typically occur in a clustered pattern rather than in a regular or random pattern.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.328-337
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• 2008

Quantifying the extent and characteristics of the excavation damage zone(EDZ) is important for the nuclear waste industry which relies on the sealing of underground openings to minimize the risk for radionuclide transport. At AECL's Underground Research Laboratory(URL) the Tunnel Sealing Experiment(TSX) was conducted and the tunnel geometry and orientation relative to the stress field had been selected to minimize the potential for the development of an EDZ. The extent and characteristics of the EDZ was measured using velocity profiling and permeability measurements in radial boreholes. The results from this EDZ characterization are used in this paper to evaluate a modeling fir estimating the extent of the EDZ. The methodology used a damage model formulated in the Universal Distinct Element Code and calibrated to laboratory properties. This model was then used to predict the extent of crack initiation and growth around the TSX tunnel and the results compared to the measured damage. The development of the damage zone in the numerical model was found to be in good agreement with the field measurements.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.255-267
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• 2001

A comparison study is performed to understand the coupling behavior of the thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical interactions in the vicinity of an underground radwaste repository, assumed to be located at a depth of 500 m, within a granitic rock mass with a 58$^{\circ}$ dipping fault passing through the roof-wall intersection of the repository cavern. The two dimensional universal distinct element code, UDEC is used for the analysis. The model includes a granitic rock meas, a canister with PWR spent fuels surrounded by the compacted bentonite inside a deposition hole, and the mixed bentonite backfilled in the rest of the space within a repository cavern. The coupling behavior of hydromechanical, thermomechanical, and thermohydromechanical interaction has been studied and compared. The effect of the time-dependent decaying heat, from the radioactive materials in PWR spent fuels, on the repository and its surroundings has been studied. A steady state flow algorithm is used for the hydraulic analysis.