• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.243-252
• /
• 2017

Since the failure behavior of transversely isotropic rocks is significantly different from that of isotropic rocks, it is necessary to develop a transversely isotropic rock failure function in order to evaluate the stability of rock structures constructed in transversely isotropic rock masses. In this study, a spatial distribution function for strength parameters of transversely isotropic rocks is proposed, which is based on the Cassini oval curve proposed by 17th century astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini to model the orbit of the Sun around the Earth. The proposed distribution function consists of two model parameters which could be identified through triaxial compression tests on transversely isotropic rock samples. The original Mohr-Coulomb (M-C) failure function is extended to a three-dimensional transversely isotropic M-C failure function by employing the proposed strength parameter distribution function for the spatial distributions of the friction angle and cohesion. In order to verify the suitability of the transversely isotropic M-C failure function, both the conventional triaxial compression and true triaxial compression tests of transversely isotropic rock samples are simulated. The predicted results from the numerical experiments are consistent with the failure behavior of transversely isotropic rocks observed in the actual laboratory tests. In addition, the simulated result of true triaxial compression tests hints that the dependence of rock strength on intermediate principal stress may be closely related to the distribution of the microstructures included in the rock samples.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.16 no.2 s.61
• /
• pp.109-134
• /
• 2006

Rocks undergo weathering processes influenced by changing in pressure-temperature condition, atmosphere, underground water, and rainfall. The weathering processes change physical and chemical characteristics of the rocks. Once the rocks are weathered, the characteristics of them are changed and, because of the changing, several disadvantages such as rock slope failures and underground water spouts are can occur. Before we cut a large rock slope, therefore, we must analyze current weathering conditions of rocks and predict weathering processes in the future. Through the results of such analyses, we can judge reinforcement works. In order to comply with such requests, chemical weathering sensitivity analysis which was analyzed from chemical weathering velocities and other characteristics of rocks has been applied in several prior construction works in Korea. But, It is defective to use directly in engineering fields because it was developed for soils(not rocks), it has too mny factors must be considered and the relationships between the factors are not clear, and it is hard to explain the weathering processes in engineering time range. Besides above, because it has been used for isotropic rocks, this method is hard to apply to anisotropic rocks such as sedimentary rocks. Acceding to studies from morphologists (e.g. Oguchi et al., 1994; Sunamura, 1996; Norwick and Dexter, 2002), time dependent strength reduction influenced by weathering shows a negative exponential function form. Appling this relation, one can synthesize the factors which influence the weathering processes to the strength reduction, and get meaningful estimates in engineering viewpoint. We suggest this weathering sensitivity characterization method as a technique that can explain time dependent weathering sensitivity characteristics through strength changes and can directly applied the rock slope design.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2022

This study aims to observe the swelling representative rocks in Korea and to suggest improvements in the use of test methods and prior analysis in relation to the weathering of rocks. The swelling test and analysis were performed on the drilling cores obtained for the ground investigation at the domestic highway construction site. For the method of determining the absorption expansion index of rocks, the method proposed in "Standard Methods for Sample Collection and Specimen Preparation" of ISRM and Korean Rock Engineers Standard Rock Test Method was used. The specimen for the measurement of the expansion displacement was cylindrical with a height of 10 cm and a diameter of 5 cm. The existing swelling analysis method evaluates the sensitivity to weathering by using the maximum expansion displacement, but since the classification by bedrock grade is unclear, it is reasonable to use the rate of change of the expansion displacement according to the immersion time. It is necessary to conduct an experiment to distinguish between weathering and fault deterioration. In addition, long-term weathering prediction technology for each cancer type is needed through the expansion displacement analysis of the chemical weathering stage.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.41-57
• /
• 2022

A workflow is presented to estimate the size of a representative elementary volume and 3-D hydraulic conductivity tensor based on fluid flow analysis for a discrete fracture network (DFN). A case study is considered for a Cretaceous granitic rock mass at Gijang in Busan, Korea. The intensity and size of joints were calibrated using the first invariant of the fracture tensor for the 2-D DFN of the study area. Effective hydraulic apertures were obtained by analyzing the results of field packer tests. The representative elementary volume of the 2-D DFN was determined to be 20 m square by investigating the variations in the directional hydraulic conductivity for blocks of different sizes. The directional hydraulic conductivities calculated from the 2-D DFN exhibited strong anisotropy related to the hydraulic behavior of the study area. The 3-D hydraulic conductivity tensor for the fractured rock mass of the study area was estimated from the directional block conductivities of the 2-D DFN blocks generated for various directions in 3-D. The orientations of the principal components of the 3-D hydraulic conductivity tensor were found to be identical to those of delineated joint sets in the study area.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.316-326
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of cleavages on indirect tensile strength (ITS) of the granite. Brazilian disc tests and ring tests with three different hole sizes were performed. 2D DEM (Discrete Element Method) simulation was employed to further understand the failure process during the tests and the mechanism behind. Results show that ITS decreases across hardway, grain and rift cleavage. Measured average ITS from ring tests is about 2.5 ~ 6.4 times of those measured from Brazilian disc tests, and it decreases with increasing ratio of diameters of inner hole and specimen. Failure pattern in ring tests is influenced by both hole size and relative positions of cleavages parallel and perpendicular to the loading direction.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2006.03a
• /
• pp.939-948
• /
• 2006

The structural anisotropy and heterogeneity of rock mass, caused by discontinuities and weak zones, have a great influence on the deformation behavior of tunnel. Tunnel construction in these complex ground conditions is very difficult. No matter how excellent a geological investigation is, local uncertainties of rock mass conditions still remain. Under these uncertain circumstances, an accurate forecast of the ground conditions ahead of the advancing tunnel face is indispensable to safe and economic tunnel construction. This paper presents the effect of anisotropy and heterogeneity of the rock masses to be excavated by numerical analysis. The influences of distance from weak zone, the size or dimension, the different stiffness and the orientation of weak zones are analysedby 2-D and 3-D finite element analysis. By analysing these numerical results, the tunnel behavior due to excavation can be well understood and the prediction of rock mass condition ahead of tunnel face can be possible.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.15 no.4 s.42
• /
• pp.463-473
• /
• 2005

Because of using the same rating ranges for every rock types the RMR or the Q-system could not usually consider local geological characteristics They also could not present sufficiently the engineering anisotropy of rocks. The canonical correlation analysis was carried out with 3 kinds of face mapping data obtained from granite, sedimentary rock and phyllite in order to clarify a discrepancy between rock types. According to analysis results, as a type of rocks changes, RM factors have different influences on the total rating of RMR.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.346-353
• /
• 2012

Multi-specimen uniaxial compression test has been carried out in order to find the method to determine the five independent elastic constants from a single standard specimen of a transversely isotropic rock. Total 35 specimens of 7 different angles from a large block of rhyolite presenting the flow structure obviously are used in tests. This second report is to focus on the statistical evaluation of measured strains and analyzed elastic constants. And the determination of their true or near-true values is discussed. As the result of RSD analysis, it turns out that the reliability of measured strains is sufficiently obtained and Saint-Venant approximation is well applicable except 15 degree angled specimen in tests. RSD is decreasing on the increase of the angle of anisotropy. This tendency may be caused not only by the decreasing of the deviation of measured strains, but also by the better applicability of Saint-Venant approximation on the increase of angle. It can be concluded that the analyzed values are considered the near-true ones of five independent constants on the high reliability. But the variation of the apparent Young's modulus expected by these values is not proved to match the measured tendency. It is inferred that the factor to decrease the apparent Young's modulus and/or to increase the shear strain, is present in the test or in the nature of the anisotropy in consideration of this inconsistency.

• Geotechnical Engineering
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.57-77
• /
• 1989

This paper describes the design and construction aspects of time-dependent deformation test apparatus for slut.oiling rocks and presents the test results obtained using these apparatus. These tests are modified semi-confined swell test, swell test under uniaxial tension and swell test under biaxial stress. These apparatus measure the time.dependent deformations in three orthogonal directions of the test specimen under simplified field stress conditions. The test results obtained from these test apparatus for the last several years show that these apparatus have performed satisfactorily. The test results show that the time-dependent deformation behaviour of the Queenston shale is cross-anisotropic with higher swelling in the vertical direction (normal to bedding plane) than in horizontal direction (parallel to bedding plane) under free swell condition. The applied stress in one direction suppresses the swelling deformation in that direction as well as that in the orthogonal directions.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.44-57
• /
• 2008

In this study, a 2D finite-element analysis, using the SEEP/W program, was carried out to estimate the amount of groundwater flawing into a tunnel, as well as the groundwater tables around wetland areas during and after a tunnel excavation through rock mass. Four sites along the Wonhyo-tunnel in Cheonseong Mountain (Gyeongnam, Korea) were analysed, where the model damain of the tunnel included both wetland and fault zone. The anisotropy of the hydraulic conductivities of the rock mass was calculated using the DFN model, and then used as an input parameter for the cantinuum model. Parametric study on the influencing factors was perofrmed to minimize uncertainties in the hydraulic properties. Moreover, the volumetric water content and hydraulic conductivity functions were applied ta the model to reflect the ability of a medium ta store and transport water under both saturated and unsaturated conditions. The conductivity of fault zone was assumed ta be $10^{-5}m/sec\;or\;10^{-6}m/sec$ and the conductivity of grouting zone was assumed as 1/10, 1/50 or 1/100 of the conductivity of rock mass. Totally $6{\sim}8$ cases of transient flow simulation were peformed at each site. The hydraulic conductivities of fault zone showed a significant influence on groundwater inflow when the fault zone crossed the tunnel. Also, groundwater table around wetland maintained in case that the hydraulic conductivity of grouting zone was reduced ta be less than 1/50 of the hydraulic conductivity of rock mass.