• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-58
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• 2016

This paper focuses on the deformation behavior of tunnels crossing a weak zone in conventional tunneling. A three-dimensional finite element model was adopted that allows realistic modeling of the tunnel excavation and the support installation. Using the 3D FE model, a parametric study was conducted on a number of tunneling cases with emphasis on the spatial characteristics of the weak zone such as the strike and dip angle, and on the initial stress state. The results of the analyses were thoroughly examined so that the three-dimensional tunnel displacements at the tunnel crown and the sidewalls can be related to the spatial characteristic of the weak zone as well as the initial stress state. The results indicate that the effectiveness of the absolute displacement monitoring data as early warning indicators depends strongly on the spatial characteristics of the weak zone. It is also shown that proper interpretation of the absolute monitoring data can provide not only early warning for a weak zone outside the excavation area but also information on the orientation and the extent of the weak zone. Practical implications of the findings are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.231-246
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• 2012

Recently, the construction of tunnel frequently involves neighboring weak ground conditions. In this case, the stabilized ground could be relaxed by the excavation of tunnel. This will create issues in terms of stability of tunnel. Major factors determining the stability of tunnel can be the direction (angle) of weak zone, the distance between tunnel and boundary of weak zone and so on. In this study, by quantifying the displacement and crack propagation during the excavation of tunnel constructed neighboring weak zone, the influence of the direction of weak zone and the distance between tunnel and boundary of weak zone on the mechanical behavior of tunnel is investigated. A series of experimental scaled model tests by changing the direction of weak zone and the distance between tunnel and boundary of weak zone, are performed and analyzed under the condition of homogeneous material. The results show that as the angle between ground surface and boundary of weak zone moves from horizontal to perpendicular plane, displacement near tunnel increases. An increased distance between tunnel and boundary of weak zone induces displacements near tunnel to decrease and stabilizes beyond a certain level of distance. These findings verify and extend the earlier studies quantitatively. Finally, an appropriate distance between tunnel and boundary of weak zone according to the angle of weak zone is justified. This fundamental insight provides the basis for a more rational design of tunnel neighboring weak ground conditions.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.373-386
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• 2014

This paper concerns the deformation behavior of tunnels crossing weak zone during excavation. A three dimensional finite element model was adopted in order to conduct a parametric study on the orientation of weaj zone in terms of strike and dip angle relative to the tunnel longitudinal axis. The results of the analyses were then analyzed so that the tunnel displacements in terms of the ratios between the crown settlement and springline displacement can be related to the orientation of the weak zone. The results indicate that the displacement ratios between the tunnel crown and springline tend to quantitatively change when a weak zone exists near or ahead of the tunnel suggesting that the displacement ratios can be effectively used to predict the weak zone during tunnelling. Practical implications of the findings are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.855-867
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• 2018

When a weak zone exists ahead of tunnel face, the stress in the adjacent area would increase due to the longitudinal arching effect and the stability of the tunnel is affected. Therefore, it is critical to prepare a countermeasure through the investigation of the frontal weakness zone of the excavated face. Although there are several researches to predict the existence of weak zone ahead of tunnel face, such as geophysical exploration, numerical analysis and tunnel support, lack of studies on the relaxation zone depending on the width or distance from the vulnerable area. In this study, the impact of the weak zone on the formation of the relaxation zone was investigated. For this purpose, a series of laboratory test were carried out varying the width of the weak zone and the separation distance between tunnel face and weak zone. In the model test, sand with a water content of 3.8% was used to form a model ground. The model weak zone was constructed with dry sand curtains. The tunnel face was adjusted to allow a sequential excavation of upper and lower half part. load cells were installed on the bottom of the foundation and the tunnel face and measuring instruments for displacement were installed on the surface of the model ground to measure the vertical stress and surface displacements due to tunnel excavation respectively. The test results show that the width of weak zone did not affect the ground settlement while the ground subsidence drastically increased within 0.25D. The vertical stress and horizontal stress increased from 0.5D or less. In addition, the longitudinal arching effect is likely within the 1.0D zone ahead of the tunnel face, which may reduce the vertical stress in the ground following tunneling direction.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.5-13
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• 2013

The water leakage of reservoir embankment usually occurs around channelling pipes, which gives little influence on the embankment in a normal state. However, the embankment can be destroyed when the water level of reservoir increases with heavy rain and the rainy season in summer. Investigating the water vein and its path is therefore very important from the viewpoint of disaster prevention and embankment maintenance. The water leakage in dams and levees where the channelling pipes are working as weak zone was analyzed by using both numerical simulation and experimental method in this study. To detect the water leakage, an electrical resistivity survey was used and investigated for its' usability. The numerical results show the size and location of weak zone increases the importance of selection of electrode spacing. The leakage experiments of model embankment present the best result is obtained under the conditions of electrode spacing of 0.3m and dipole-dipole array. By studying the water leakage in dams and levees, the electrical resistivity survey is observed it is a very useful method to predict the leakage.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2009

A 3-D numerical analysis was carried out to observe potential effects of orientation of inherent weak zones to tunnel behaviors and stress distributions during tunnel excavation. Weak zones used for the analysis were placed at the upper 1D part from crown, on the crown and on the center of face, using orientations derived from the 6th RMR parameter for assessment of joint orientation effect on tunnel. Mechanical properties of rock mass were derived through a in-situ displacement measurement-based back analysis. Finally, a classification chart for crown settlement with five ranks based on orientation and location of weak zones is suggested.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.788-794
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• 1999

The swirl flame is mostly used to stabilize the flame on the burner nozzle in the industrial combustor. In the case of the weak swirl flame(S<0.4), the recirculation zone could not be formed, but in the strong swirl(S>0.6) flame, it could be formed in the center of the swirl flame. In this study, the measurement and analysis of emission species, temperature, radicals of premixed swirl flame in the combustor were performed to understand the NO formation and emission characteristics of the swirl flame of natural gas. The result of NO emission in the swirl flame is that the amount of NO emission in the strong swirl flame decreased about 60% compared with that of the weak swirl flame. The main region of NO formation of the weak swirl flame is positioned in the down stream(z=100~200mm) of the flame, but that of the strong swirl flame is positioned in the up stream(z=40mm) where the recirculation zone seems to be formed. It is supposed that the increase of flame surface and the formation of inversed flame cause the reduction of the high temperature region on the production of NO in the strong swirl flame. The result of NO-temperature relation revealed that the factor of NO formation is not only temperature but also another parameters in the weak swirl flame, but in the strong swirl flame, NO is proportional to the temperature of higher than 1200K.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.09a
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• pp.584-590
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• 2009

One of the critical design problems involved in deep tunnelling in brittle rock, is the creation of surface spalling damage and breakouts. If weak fault zone is developed in deep tunnel, squeezing problem is added to the problems. According to the results of ground investigation in the study area, hard granitic rockmass and distinguished high angle fault zone are distributed on the tunnel level over 400m depth. To analyse the probability of brittle failure and squeezing, ground characterization with special lab. and field test were carried out. By the results, probability of brittle failures like spalling and rock burst is very low. But squeezing may be probable, if weak fault zone observed surface and drill core is extended to designed tunnel level.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.238-242
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• 2008

Transitional zones, one of the typical weak area of earthworks, require lasting a maintenance work due to a differential stiffness of substructures. It is very difficult problem that transition zone was perfectively prevented against a differential settlement. The transitional zone will deteriorate at an accelerate rate. This may lead to pumping ballast, swinging or hanging sleepers, permanent rail deformations, worn track components, and loss of surface and gauge. In this study, it is performed that settlement behavior in transitional zone was compared with small model test.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.162-170
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to understand the ground change of large scale mountainous region and to estimate the active weak zone using geophysical exploration (electrical resistivity and refraction seismic explorations) in large scale deep landslide area located in Wanjugun, Jeollabukdo. We also analyzed the characteristics of deep landslides occurred in metamorphic rocks region and confirmed the approximate scale. As a result of comparative analysis of N-value by standard penetration test (SPT), low resistivity anomaly, and tension crack identified from field investigation, a discontinuity in soil layer was estimated at 10 ~ 15 m below the surface. Based on this results, the distribution pattern of active weak zone was confirmed between the discontinuity in soil layer and estimation line of bedrock.