• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.124-134
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• 2019

Subcritical crack growth in rock material can occur under monotonic and cyclic loading. Subcritical crack growth plays an important role in evaluating the long-term stability of structures in rocks. This paper presents the results of studies conducted to determine subcritical crack growth parameters under monotonic and cyclic loading in rock-like material. The constant stress rate method was employed for monotonic loading. The subcritical crack growth parameter of n under cyclic loading was determined by the relation between the rate of crack growth per cycle and stress intensity factor range. The specimens contained pre-existing flaws with 45 and 60 degrees of inclination angle and flaws spacing and continuity were varied to arrange crack growth in shear or tensile manner. The results show that the parameter of n is almost constant regardless of the applied load conditions such as monotonic and cyclic or shear and tension.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.339-347
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• 2023

As the jacks provide a thrust force on the inclined surface, bending deformations by a side force occur in the pedestal and rod parts. This can induce disorder or degradation of the thrust module, buckling stability on the inclined compression condition should be clarified to secure the reliability of shield TBM. For analyzing the stability, a buckling testing method for hydraulic cylinder was investigated and compression testing system was installed. Before the test, a numerical analysis was conducted to check the stress concentration parts. The maximum allowable force was loaded on the cylinder specimen at 0 degree surface condition as a preliminary test. After the test, plastic deformations or hydraulic leakage was not observed. The static stability of it was verified at 0 degree condition.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2005

Recently, the imaging of geological structures beneath water-covered areas has been in great demand because of numerous tunnel and bridge construction projects on river or lake sites. An electrical resistivity survey can be effective in such a situation because it provides a subsurface image of faults or weak zones beneath the water layer. Even though conventional resistivity surveys in water-covered areas, in which electrodes are installed on the water bottom, do give high-resolution subsurface images, much time and effort is required to install electrodes. Therefore, an easier and more convenient method is sought to find the strike direction of the main zones of weakness, especially for reconnaissance surveys. In this paper, we investigate the applicability of the streamer resistivity survey method, which uses electrodes in a streamer cable towed by ship or boat, for delineating a fault zone. We do this through numerical experiments with models of water-covered areas. We demonstrate that the fault zone can be imaged, not only by installing electrodes on the water bottom, but also by using floating electrodes, when the depth of water is less than twice the electrode spacing. In addition, we compare the signal-to-noise ratio and resolving power of four kinds of electrode arrays that can be adapted to the streamer resistivity method. Following this numerical study, we carried out both conventional and streamer resistivity surveys for the planned tunnel construction site located at the Han River in Seoul, Korea. To obtain high-resolution resistivity images we used the conventional method, and installed electrodes on the water bottom along the planned route of the tunnel beneath the river. Applying a two-dimensional inversion scheme to the measured data, we found three distinctive low-resistivity anomalies, which we interpreted as associated with fault zones. To determine the strike direction of these three fault zones, we used the quick and convenient streamer resistivity.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.354-365
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• 2014

The horizontal response spectra using the observed ground motions from 15 Fukuoka earthquake series, including main earthquake (2005/03/20; Mw=6.5), were analysed and then were compared to both the seismic design response spectra (Regulatory Guide 1.60), applied to the domestic nuclear power plants, and the Korean Standard Design Response Spectrum for general structures and buildings (1997). 178 horizontal ground motions, without considering soil types, were used for normalization with respect to the peak acceleration value of each ground motion. The results showed that response spectrum have strong dependency on epicentral distance. The results also showed that the horizontal response spectra revealed higher values for frequency bands at two frequency bands (about 8 - 10 and 16- 20 Hz) than Regulatory Guide 1.60. The results were also compared to the Korean Standard Building Design Spectrum for the 3 different soil types and showed that thehorizontal response spectra revealed higher values for almost all period bands than the Korean Standard Response Spectrum (500 yrs; Return Period; Seismic province 1; SE soil conditions). Through the qualitative improvements and quantitative enhancement of the observed ground motions, the diversity of the observed ground motions should be considered more significantly to improve the certainty of response spectrum.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.107-127
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• 2003

After detailed geological mapping, structural and fracture-density data were collected and analyzed in the vicinity of Cheonseong and Jeongjok Mts., Gyeongsangnam-do. A extensive dextral strike-slip fault (Beopgi Fault) Parallel to Yangsan and Dongrae Faults, a dextral-transtensional-NW fault, and a few intermittent faults have been found in the study area. Based on strike and frequency, fracture system has been divided into three sets such as NNE-trending J1 ($NS-40^{\circ}E$), WNW-trending J2 ($N50^{\circ}-80^{\circ}W$), and ENE-trending J3 ($N60^{\circ}-90^{\circ}E$). According to analysis of fracture density, it is revealed as follows: (a) Jl is the combination of Y-, P-, and R-shear fractures due to the dextral strike-slip of the Beopgi Fault. (b) J2 is the preexisted fracture zone conducting the intrusion of granite. Two tensional fractures dipping to NNE and SSW respectively have been induced by intrusion of granite and followed crustal uplift. (c) J3 is the tensional fracture developed between Yangsan and Dongrae Faults having NNE trend and dextral strike-slip sense. This study aims to reduce environmental impact and insure stability of underground facilities and tunnels.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2012

Theoretical backgrounds on the experimental methods of explosive welding, explosive forming and shock consolidation of powders are introduced. Explosive welding experiments of titanium (Ti) and stainless steel (SUS 304) plate were carried out. It was revealed that a series of waves of metal jet are generated in the contact surface between both materials; and that the optimal collision velocity and collision angle is about 2,100~2,800 m/s and $15{\sim}20^{\circ}$, respectively. Also, explosive forming experiments of Al plate were performed and compared to a conventional press forming method. The results confirmed that the shock-loaded Al plate has a larger curvature deformation than those made using conventional press forming. For shock consolidation of powders, the propagation behaviors of a detonation wave and underwater shock wave generated by explosion of an explosive are investigated by means of numerical calculation. The results revealed that the generation and convergence of reflected waves occur at the wall and center position of water column, and also the peak pressure of the converged reflected waves was 20 GPa which exceeds the detonation pressure. As results from the consolidation experiments of metal/ceramic powders ($Fe_{11.2}La_2O_3Co_{0.7}Si_{1.1}$), shock-consolidated $Fe_{11.2}La_2O_3Co_{0.7}Si_{1.1}$ bulk without cracks was successfully obtained by adapting the suggested water container and strong bonding between powder particles was confirmed through microscopic observations.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.89-102
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• 2004

The generated blasting pressure wave initiated under decoupled-charge condition is a function of peak blasting pressure, rise time, and wave-shape function. The peak blasting pressure and the rise time are also the function of explosive and rock properties. The probabilistic distributions of explosive and rock properties are derived from the results of their property tests. Since the probabilistic distributions of explosive and rock properties displayed a normal distribution, the peak blasting pressure and the rise time can also be regarded as a normal distribution. Parameter analysis and uncertainty analysis were performed to identify the most influential parameter that affects the peak blasting pressure and the rise time. Even though the explosive properties were found to be the most influential parameters on the peak blasting pressure and the rise time from the parameter analyses, the result of uncertainty analysis showed that rock properties constituted major uncertainties in estimating the peak blasting pressure and the rise time rather than explosive properties. Damage and overbreak of the remaining rock around the excavation line induced by blasting were evaluated by dynamic numerical analysis. A user-subroutine to estimate the rock damage was coded based on the continuum damage mechanics. This subroutine was linked to a commercial program called 'ABAQUS/Explicit'. The results of dynamic numerical analysis showed that the rock damages generated by the initiation of stopping hole were larger than those from the initiation of contour hole. Several methods to minimize those damages were proposed such as relocation of stopping hole, detailed subdivision of rock classification, and so on. It was found that fracture probability criteria and fractured zones could be distinctively identified by applying fuzzy-random probability.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2004

This paper is to introduce an article published in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2003. In this research, a fracture mechanics model is developed to illustrate the importance of time-dependence far brittle fractured rock. In particular a model is developed fer the time-dependent degradation of rock joint cohesion. Degradation of joint cohesion is modeled as the time-dependent breaking of intact patches or rock bridges along the joint surface. A fracture mechanics model is developed utilizing subcritical crack growth, which results in a closed-form solution for joint cohesion as a function of time. As an example, a rock block containing rock bridges subjected to plane sliding is analyzed. The cohesion is found to continually decrease, at first slowly and then more rapidly. At a particular value of time the cohesion reduces to value that results in slope instability. A second example is given where variations in some of the material parameters are assumed. A probabilistic slope analysis is conducted, and the probability of failure as a function of time is predicted. The probability of failure is found to increase with time, from an initial value of 5% to a value at 100 years of over 40%. These examples show the importance of being able to predict the time-dependent behavior of a rock mass containing discontinuities, even for relatively short-term rock structures.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.42-58
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• 2001

In order to protect the environment from waste disposal activities, the prediction of the flux and flow paths of the contaminants from underground facilities should be assessed as accurately as possible. Especially, the prediction of the pathways and travel times of the nuclides from high level radioactive wastes in a deep repository to biosphere is one of the primary tasks for assessing the ultimate safety and performance of the repository. Since the contaminants are mainly transported with groundwater along the discontinuities developed within rock mass, the characteristics of groundwater flow through discontinuities is important for the prediction of contaminant fates as well as safety assessment of a repository. In this study, the actual fracture network could be effectively generated based on in situ data by separating geometric parameter and hydraulic parameter. The calculated anisotropic hydraulic conductivity was applied to a 3D porous medium model to calculate the path flow and travel time of the large studied area with the consideration of the complex topology in the area. Using the model, the pathways and travel times for groundwater were analyzed. From this study, it was concluded that the suggested techniques and procedures for predicting the pathways and travel times of groundwater from underground facilities to biosphere is acceptable and those can be applied to the safety assessment of a repository for radioactive wastes.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.343-354
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• 2008

A new method is suggested herein to measure the virgin earth stresses by means of a borehole. This novel concept is basically a combination of borehole stress relieving and borehole fracturing techniques. The destressing of the borehole is achieved by means of inducing thermal tensile stresses at the borehole periphery by using a cryogenic fluid such as Liquid Nitrogen($LN_2$). The borehole wall eventually develops fractures when the induced thermal stresses exceed the existing compressive stresses at the borehole periphery in addition to the tensile strength of the rock. The above concept is theoretically analyzed for its potential applicability to interpret in situ stress levels from the tensile fracture stresses and the corresponding borehole wall temperatures. Coupled thermo-mechanical numerical simulations are also conducted using FLAC3D, with thermal option, to check the validity of the proposed techniques. From the preliminary theoretical and numerical analysis, the method suggested for the measurement of in situ stresses appears to be capable of accurate estimation of the virgin stresses by monitoring tensile crack formation at a borehole wall and recording the wall temperatures at the time of crack initiation.