• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.236-247
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• 2009

Overpopulation has significantly increased the use of underground spaces in urban areas, and led to the developments of shallow-depth underground space. Due to unexpected rock fall, however, it is very necessary to understand and categorize the rock mass behaviors prior to the tunnel excavation, by which unnecessary casualties and economic loss could be prevented. In case of cave-in, special attention should be drawn since it occurs faster and greater in magnitude compared to rock fall and plastic deformation. Types of cave-in behavior are explained and categorized using seven parameters - Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), Rock Quality Designation (RQD), joint surface condition, in-situ stress condition, ground water condition, earthquake & ground vibration, tunnel span. This study eventually introduces a new index called Cave-in Behavior Index (CBI) which explains the behavior of cave-in under given in-situ conditions expressed by the seven parameters. In order to assess the mutual interactions of the seven parameters and to evaluate the weighting factors for all the interactions, survey data of the experts' opinions and Rock Engineering Systems (RES) were used due to lack of field observations. CBI was applied to the tunnel site of Seoul Metro Line No. 9. UDEC analyses on 288 cases were done and occurrences of cave-in in every simulation were examined. Analyses on the results of 288 cases of simulations revealed that the average CBI for the cases when cave-in for different patterns of tunnel support was estimated by a logistic regression analysis.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.232-246
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• 2018

In this study, the relationship between in situ seismic wave velocities and RMR (rock mass rating) was investigated in a test bed for the examination of the basis of rock classification (RMR) based on seismic wave velocity. The seismic wave velocity showed a monotonous increase with depth. It was also found that there was no systematic correlation between the seismic wave velocity (Vp) and other parameters (RQD, joint spacing, UCS, rock core Vp, and RMR) collected at the same depth of the same borehole. However, correlative relation was observed among RMR, RQD, and joint spacing. On the other hand, when all the data in the borehole (three holes) are examined without considering the depth, Vp still shows no correlation with RMR parameters (e.g., correlative coefficient for uniaxial compressive strength and joint spacing are 0.039 and 0.091, respectively), but Vp shows weak correlative relation with RMR and RQD (correlative coefficient for RQD and RMR are 0.193 and 0.211, respectively). Thus, it is found that it is difficult to deduce physical properties of rock mass directly from seismic wave velocities, but the seismic wave velocity can be used as a tool to approximate rock mass properties because of weaker correlation between Vp and RMR with RQD. In addition, the velocity value of for soft and moderate rocks suggested by widely used construction standards is slower than that of the observed velocity, implying that the standards need to be examined and revised.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.23-35
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• 2012

Due to the convenience, RMR has been widely applied in civil engineering works such as tunnel, slope, and so on. Many researchers have studied to suggest more simple and trustable RMR by modifying its parameters. However, those researches have just focused on looking for easy modified-RMRs by reducing number of parameters using various statistical analyses. Therefore, this research studied questions of modified-RMRs and gaps between RMR and its parameters. Approximately 2,000 parameters of 400 RMRs from various tunnel sites were normalized respectively and compared with one another to study their relations and divergences. The comparison results showed that there were common patterns among RMR and parameters. Data of uniaxial compressive strength and RQD, qualitative parameters, were located in upper side of RMR line. Discontinuity condition and ground water, quantitative oriented parameters, were opposite to them. It means if both qualitative and quantitative parameters can be properly combined then it can be easy to make simple and easy modified-RMRs without using difficult statistics. This results also show that the majority of field engineers used to estimate RMR conservatively when they did quantitative oriented parameters.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.108-113
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• 2006

Urban conditions, such as existing underground facilities and ambient noise due to cultural activity, restrict the general application of conventional geophysical techniques. At a tunnelling site in an urban area along an existing railroad, we used the refraction microtremor (REMI) technique (Louie, 2001) as an alternative way to get geotechnical information. The REMI method uses ambient noise recorded by standard refraction equipment and a linear geophone array to derive a shear-wave velocity profile. In the inversion procedure, the Rayleigh wave dispersion curve is picked from a wavefield transformation, and iteratively modelled to get the S-wave velocity structure. The REMI survey was carried out along the line of the planned railway tunnel. At this site vibrations from trains and cars provided strong seismic sources that allowed REMI to be very effective. The objective of the survey was to evaluate the rock mass rating (RMR), using shear-wave velocity information from REMI. First, the relation between uniaxial compressive strength, which is a component of the RMR, and shear-wave velocity from laboratory tests was studied to learn whether shear-wave velocity and RMR are closely related. Then Suspension PS (SPS) logging was performed in selected boreholes along the profile, in order to draw out the quantitative relation between the shear-wave velocity from SPS logging and the RMR determined from inspection of core from the same boreholes. In these tests, shear-wave velocity showed fairly good correlation with RMR. A good relation between shear-wave velocity from REMI and RMR could be obtained, so it is possible to estimate the RMR of the entire profile for use in design of the underground tunnel.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.39-47
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• 2003

Rockbursts are mainly caused by a sudden release or the stored strain energy in the rock mass. They have been the major hazard in deep hard rock mines but rarely occur in tunnels. Due to the short history and limited information on rockbursts, the topic has rarely been studied in Korea. Some cases of rockbursts, however, have been reported during construction of a mountain tunnel for waterway. This study focuses on analyzing data on rockbursts obtained from a TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunnel and suggests methods for a comprehensive understanding on rockbursts. From the analysis of the field data of rockbursts, it was found that most rockbursts mainly occurred at the section between the tunnel face and the TBM operating room, and the rock bursting phenomena lasted up to 20 days after excavation in certain areas. The data also show that the bursting spots are located all around the tunnel surface including the face, the wall, and the roof, The maximum size of bursting spots is usually less than 100cm. This study also suggests new scale systems of brittleness and uniaxial compressive strength to evaluate the possible tendency for a rockburst. These systems are scaled based on the scale system of strain energy density. In addition, with these scale systems, this research shows that there are potentially higher tendencies for rockbursts in this specific tunnel. Moreover this research suggests that properties of rock and rock mass, RMR (Rock Mass Rating) value, tunneling method, excavating speed, and depth of tunnel have a strong correlation with rockbursts.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.5-10
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• 2013

Bearing capacity of a drilled shaft can be separated into side resistance and base resistance. But in domestic design procedure side resistance is usually underestimated compared with base resistance. Results of bi-directional test showed that measured side resistances in each different layers are larger than those evaluated from several suggested methods. In this study, measured side resistances in each different layer of drilled shafts installed in domestic sites are analyzed and compared with evaluated side resistances from the method using revised SPT N value. For weathered rock and soft rock layer, from which rock core can hardly be obtained, we suggested new evaluated methods using revised SPT N value instead of the method using uniaxial compressive strength of rock. Resuts showed that the ranges of side resistance of cohesive and non-cohesive layer are $f_s{\leq}5tf/m^2$ and $f_s{\leq}15tf/m^2$ respectively. Range of side resistance in weathered rock is $15tf/m^2$ < $f_s{\leq}50tf/m^2$ and that in soft rock $f_s{\geq}35tf/m^2$.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.235-246
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• 2013

P-wave velocity was measured by the low frequency flaw detector in order to analyze the weathered state of a halo stone Buddha, Unju temple, Hwasun, Korea. By the results of laboratory tests on a fresh acidic tuff with the same rock of a halo stone Buddha, average absorption, average P-wave velocity, and average uniaxial compressive strength were 5.38%, 4,008 m/s, and 70.1 MPa, respectively. The results correspond to moderately strong rock. Average P-wave velocity of a halo stone Buddha measured by the low frequency flaw detector was 2,257 m/s in the left zone, 3,437 m/s in the right zone, and 2,802 m/s overall. Weathering index of a halo stone Buddha was 0.45 in the left zone, 0.21 in the right zone, and 0.33 overall. Comparing the results of a halo stone Buddha with them of laboratory tests, weathered state of a halo stone Buddha was analyzed highly weathered state in the left zone and moderately weathered state in the right zone. Furthermore, it suggests that the left zone of a halo stone Buddha was affected weathering more than the right one. Overall a halo stone Buddha corresponds to moderately weathered state of weathering degrees. In conclusion, it is considered that low frequency flaw detector may be applicable as a valuable method on analyzing the P-wave velocity of the stone cultural heritage with an irregular surface.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.5-12
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• 2015

In this study, buoyancy-resistance permanent anchor was considered to prevent uplift pressure of a building structure. However, this test was failed to put anchor body in the boring hole because of the rapid outflow of ground water and coefficient of permeability. In addition, the hole where the anchor body was forcefully inserted constantly flew the sea water and cement. And it was found that anchor was not settled in the ground. In order to solve this problem, jet grouting method was applied to block the ground water and the single grouted column method was chosen to install the buoyancy-resistance permanent anchor. In this paper, the single grouted column method was applied with the general jet grouting methods and grout material was fixed by 3-field tests. These tests confirmed the effect of permeability and ground improvement with field permeability test by core sampling, Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and unconfined compression test. Confirming the stability of the buoyancy-resistance permanent anchor with installation and tension test, application of the single grouted column method in the volcanic clastic zones was verified.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.25-34
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• 2010

In this study characteristics for reclaimed ash was studied to enlarge the usage of reclaimed ash which is reaching to 72 million ton producted from whole thermal power plants in South Korea. Fly ash and bottom ash are reclaimed separately at some of thermal power plants. However, typically bottom ash and fly ash are mixed when they are buried at most of the thermal power plant, as a result the engineering characteristics of ponded ash are not investigated properly. In order to investigate the engineering characteristics of the ponded ash, laboratory tests were performed with ponded ash and fly ash from youngheung and samcheonpo thermal power plants. Specific gravity, unit weight, and grain size analysis test were fulfilled to evaluate the physical characteristics and triaxial permeability test, direct shear test, unconfined compressive strength test, compaction test were performed to evaluate the mechanical characteristics. And also engineering characteristics of coal ash from anthracite and Bituminous thermal power plants were compared and studied respectively. As a result of the study, it was confirmed that using coal ash from Bituminous thermal power plants can be effective in the place where lightweight materials are required and using coal ash from anthracite thermal power plants can be effective as backfill material which require higher permeability. Finally, it was confirmed that fly ash from youngheung thermal power plants which has the lowest permeability among the tested material is suitable for a field requiring impermeable material.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.17-36
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• 2013

In this paper, the empirical relations of skin friction and end bearing resistance with the results of site investigation in soft rock are proposed through the analysis of bi-directional pile load tests of rock socketed drilled shafts performed at large offshore bridge foundations and high-rise building projects (13 test piles in 4 projects). The site investigation and drilling for bi-directional pile load tests were performed at the centers of test piles, and f-w curves for skin friction and q-w curves for end bearing were plotted based on load-transfer measurements. From the above curves, the empirical relations of skin friction and end bearing resistance with the results of site investigation depending on the mobilized displacement are determined by multiple regression analysis and compared with previous studies. Since the f-w and q-w curves of rock-socketed piles in Korea show hardening behavior according to mobilized displacement, the developed empirical relations by the mobilized displacement are more reasonable than those of previous studies which could not consider the mobilized displacement and suggested the ultimate capacity with unconfined compressive strength only. Particularly, the developed equations correlated with unconfined compressive strength show the best correlations among the equations correlated with other parameters.