• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.4 s.57
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• pp.288-295
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• 2005

Many mechanical defects originated from various geological causes make rock mass exhibit anisotropic characteristics. Understanding how the stress distribution occurs in anisotropic rock mass is, therefore, very important for the design of footings on rock and rock structures. In this study, the patterns of elastic stress distribution, developed by acting line load on the surface, in transversely isotropic was investigated. The influence of joint stiffness, joint spacing, and dip angle on the stress distribution was examined. By assuming the Mohr-Coulomb criterion as joint slip condition, the development of joint slip zone was also discussed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2001

The total number of elastic constants of an anisotropic body is 9 and thus it is very difficult to measure these constants experimentally. The number of elastic constants can be reduced if a rock or rock mass is regarded as isotropic or transversely isotropic material. Since only 4 stress-strain relationships can be obtained, it is theoretically impossible to determine all 5 constants from a single uniaxial compression teat. Lekhnitskii overcame this problem by suggesting the fifth equation based on laboratory tests. But his equation is theoretically wrong and does not agree with experimental results. This paper describes the stress-strain relationships and the independent/dependent elastic constants of an anisotropic mass and suggests a testing mothed to determine 5 independent elastic constants for a transversely isotropic rock.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.252-262
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• 2008

In the uniaxial compressive test of a single specimen of transversely isotropic rock, its 5 independent elastic constants can not be defined since maximum 4 independent strain measurements are available theoretically. In order to solve this problem, one equation proposed by Saint Venant in 19C and confirmed by Lekhnitskii through the test experiences has been used for long time. Accordign to authors' experiences, however, this equation turned out to give erroneous elastic constants in some cases. Three new equations are suggested and their compatibilities are discussed in this paper. As the results of the analyses of the models, Lekhnitskii's suggested equation is effective for the specimen with the high dip angle whereas it results in the large erred output for that with dip angle less than $25{\sim}30$. It was found that the effectivenesses of three suggested equations and their compatibilities are subject to the dip angle and not to the amounts of elastic constants. Guide map to the selection of the compatible one of those suggested equations is presented as a result of the study.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.363-374
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• 2016

All five independent elastic constants of a transversely isotropic rock sometimes need to be determined from a single specimen. Saint-Venant approximation has been widely used for a long time in the analysis of single specimen test. This paper has proven how this empirical equation can be mathematically transformed into a form of the apparent Young's modulus based on theory of elasticity. The transformed equation is a monotonous function on anisotropic angle and can be useful in the analysis of the in-situ stress measurement in an anisotropic rock mass. The estimations of data in literatures have shown that the measured values of $G^2$ are uniform on anisotropic angles and smaller than that of Saint-Venant's case. This decrement may be caused by sliding of the interface of strata and the decrement rate is inferred to relate well with the combination of bonding condition of strata and strength of rock material. Accumulation of these kinds of studies in the future enables to define the decrement and to determine elastic constants of a transversely isotropic rock from a single specimen from modifying Saint-Venant approximation.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.72-78
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• 2001

A method to determine elastic constants for transversely isotropic rock using a single uniaxial compression test was proposed by Kim(1995). However, some problems were found when this method was applied. We derived two different equations in determination of elastic constants using V$\sub$12/ and V$\sub$21/ and performed uniaxial compression tests for two specimens whose angles between transversely isotropic plane and horizontal plane are 30$^{\circ}C$ and 65$^{\circ}C$. The anisotropic elastic constants should be calculated with different equations depend on the angle. If the anisotropic angle is lower than 45$^{\circ}$, V$\sub$21/ may be used. However, if the anisotropic angle is higher than 45$^{\circ}$, V$\sub$12/ may be used.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.455-464
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• 2010

The variations of the uniaxial compressive strength, the strains and the elastic constants with respect to the angle of anisotropy are analyzed in order to investigate the characteristics of a transversely isotropic rock experimentally. Total 35 specimens of 7 different angles from a large block of rhyolite presenting the flow structure obviously are used in tests. This study is composed of two reports; the elastic constants are mainly analyzed for the every individual angle in the report No. 1 and they will be discussed synthetically in the report No. 2. From the specimens of 0 and 90 degree, 4 independent elastic constants which can directly be obtained without the help of any other suggested equations, may be referred to the true values. Data variation in the strain measurements differs on the angle is analyzed. That of small angle specimens tends higher than that of large angle specimens. The relation of apparent Young’s modulus and angle is found to be M- or U-shaped. For small angle specimens, Saint-Venant approximation cannot be applied successfully on account of showing the non-monotonous increase, and E1 is analyzed out of the true value range. In the specimen of $\phi$ = 75, the deviation of strain measurement and strength are smallest and 4 all constants are analyzed in the true value range. Therefore, specimen of the angle of around 75 may become preferable if only one specimen should be used in test of a transversely isotropic rock.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.153-168
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• 2010

A fifth equation is required to determine the five independent elastic constants of a transversely isotropic rock from compression test of a single specimen. As an approximation proposed by Saint-Venant has been used for long time, it may cause an erroneous result in some cases, especially for specimen with low angle of anisotropy. Three equations were suggested replacing this traditional equation and proved to be applicable by the model analysis in the previous studies. As Saint-Venant's approximation is turned out the same as the first one of them, it has the characteristics that the apparent Young's modulus is monotonously increasing according to the anisotropic angle. The methodology to analyze the elastic constants from four independent strain measurements by uniaxial compressive test of a single standard specimen is concisely described, and the necessity and compatibility of new suggested equations are discussed. Saint-Venant's approximation can determine the elastic constants close to true values and other equations may be unnecessary in specimens with medium to large angle. Nevertheless, they may become applicable because they can produce the almost same amount. For the specimens of small angle of anisotropy, Saint-Venant's approximation may result in out of general ranges or thermodynamic constraints, but other suggested equations can produce the almost true value. Thus they can be applied before other alternative equation is known. The guide map constructed by model study may decide the most compatible one of the three equations.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.383-391
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• 2013

A number of true triaxial tests on rock samples have been conducted since the late 1960 and their results strongly suggest that the intermediate principal stress has a considerable effect on rock strength. Based on these experimental evidence, various 3-D rock failure criteria accounting for the effect of the intermediate principal stress have been proposed. Most of the 3-D failure criteria, however, are focused on the phenomenological description of the rock strength from the true triaxial tests, so that the associated strength parameters have little physical meaning. In order to confirm the likelihood that the intermediate principal stress dependency of rock strength is related to the presence of weak planes and their distribution to the preferred orientation, true triaxial tests are simulated with the transversely isotropic rock model. The conventional Mohr-Coulomb criterion is extended to its anisotropic version by incorporating the concept of microstructure tensor. With the anisotropic Mohr-Coulomb criterion, the critical plane approach is applied to calculate the strength of the transversely isotropic rock model and the orientation of the fracture plane. This investigation hints that the spatial distribution of microstructural planes with respect to the principal stress triad is closely related to the intermediate principal stress dependency of rock strength.

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

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.93-105
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• 2012

This paper compares the two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) approaches for the numerical determination of the equivalent mechanical properties of fractured rock masses. Both orthogonally-fractured model and discrete fracture networks (DFN) were used for the geometry and 2D models were cut in various directions from 3D model to compare their mechanical properties. Geological data were loosely based on the data available from Sellafield, UK. Analytical method based on compliance tensor transformation was used for investigation in orthogonally fractured rock and numerical experiments were conducted on fractured rock mass with DFN geometry. It is shown that 2D approach always overestimates the elastic modulus of fractured rock masses by a factor of up to around two because fractures are assumed to be perpendicular to the model plane in 2D problems. Poisson ratios tend to have larger values in 2D analysis while there is opposite trend in some sections. The study quantitatively demonstrates the limitation of the 2D approach that uses the simplified model from true 3D geometry.