• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.643-659
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• 2022

Geologic sequestration technologies such as CCS (carbon capture and storage), EGS (enhanced geothermal systems), and EOR (enhanced oil recovery) have been widely implemented in recent years, prompting evaluation of the mechanical stability of storage sites. As fluid injection can stimulate mechanical instability in storage layers by perturbing the stress state and pore pressure, poroelastic models considering various injection scenarios are required. In this study, we calculate the pore pressure, stress distribution, and vertical displacement along a surface using commercial finite element software (COMSOL); fault slips are subsequently simulated using PyLith, an open-source finite element software. The displacement fields, are obtained from PyLith is transferred back to COMSOL to determine changes in coseismic stresses and surface displacements. Our sequential use of COMSOL-PyLith-COMSOL for poroelastic modeling of fluid-injection and induced-earthquakes reveals large variations of pore pressure, vertical displacement, and Coulomb failure stress change during injection periods. On the other hand, the residual stress diffuses into the remote field after injection stops. This flow pattern suggests the necessity of numerical modeling and long-term monitoring, even after injection has stopped. We found that the time at which the Coulomb failure stress reaches the critical point greatly varies with the hydraulic and poroelastic properties (e.g., permeability and Biot-Willis coefficient) of the fault and injection layer. We suggest that an understanding of the detailed physical properties of the surrounding layer is important in selecting the injection site. Our numerical results showing the surface displacement and deviatoric stress distribution with different amounts of fault slip highlight the need to test more variable fault slip scenarios.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.167-182
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• 2018

The modeling of loss of bond between reinforcing bars (rebars) and concrete due to corrosion is useful in studying the behavior and prediction of residual load bearing capacity of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) members. In the present work, first the possibility of using different methods to simulate the rebars-concrete bonding, which is used in three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) modeling of corroded RC beams, was explored. The cohesive surface interaction method was found to be most suitable for simulating the bond between rebars and concrete. Secondly, using the cohesive surface interaction approach, the 3D FE modeling of the behavior of non-corroded and corroded RC beams was carried out in an ABAQUS environment. Experimental data, reported in literature, were used to validate the models. Then using the developed models, a parametric study was conducted to examine the effects of some parameters, such as degree and location of the corrosion, on the behavior and residual capacity of the corroded beams. The results obtained from the parametric analysis using the developed model showed that corrosion in top compression rebars has very small effect on the flexural behaviors of beams with small flexural reinforcement ratio that is less than the maximum ratio specified in ACI-318-14 (singly RC beam). In addition, the reduction of steel yield strength in tension reinforcement due to corrosion is the main source of reducing the load bearing capacity of corroded RC beams. The most critical corrosion-induced damage is the complete loss of bond between rebars and the concrete as it causes sudden failure and the beam acts as un-reinforced beam.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.117-127
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• 2002

A deterministic approach of slope stability, which is generally corresponding to the model of a simple non-linear function for slopes, is problematic in that it does not account the versatile characteristics of ground layers in an effective way. To resolve this problem, this study proposes a new way of analyzing slope stability, so-called “genetic algorithm method, ” so as to reflect some particular conditions pertaining to the grounds under concern. Similarities and differences in slope stability that may exist between homogeneous and multiple ground layers are examined in a competitive manner, Overall, though similarities deemed a little bit salient, the algorithm method turned out to be very applicable to estimating the validity of slope stability. Furthermore, an additional effort to consider long-standing sequential and dynamic changes in both the amount of rainfall and the underground water level is made in order to improve the results.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.1019-1022
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• 2002

Pipe-cutting machines have been used in many fields. Recently, an automatic pipe-cutting machine that uses magnet has born developed. In this paper, a magnetic-type automatic pipe-cutting machine that attaches itself and performs unmanned cutting process is proposed. It is designed that there is a room at the bottom of its body to contain a magnet. And it uses magnetic force between the magnet and the pipe surface to prevent slip and to attach the machine to the pipe against gravity. Also the magnetic force is adjustable by changing the gap between the magnet and the pipe. This machine is, however, necessary to control cutting velocity for the elevation of work efficiency and the adjustable faculties. During pipe cutting process, the gravity acting on the pipe-cutting machine widely varies. That is, the cutting machine gets fast when moving from the top to the bottom of the pipe and slow when moving from the bottom to the top. Actually the system is kind of a non-linear system where the gravity is function of climbing angle of the cutting machine along the pipe. Especially jerking motion is critical. Therefore, authors design the non-linear controller that estimates the current position of the machine along the pipe and compensates the effect of gravity in this paper. It receives the feed back signal from the encoder.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.111-121
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• 2007

The paper presents a reliability-based method that can capture the impact of uncertainty of seismic loadings. The proposed method incorporates probabilistic concepts into the classical limit equilibrium and the Newmark-type deformation techniques. The risk of damage is then computed by Monte Carlo simulation. Random process and RMS hazard method are introduced to produce seismic motions and also to use them in the seismic slope analyses. The geotechnical variability and sampling errors are also considered. The results of reliability analyses indicate that in a highly seismically active region, characterization of earthquake hazard is the more critical factor, and characterization of soil properties has a relatively small effect on the computed risk of slope failure and excessive slope deformations. The results can be applicable to both circular and non-circular slip surface failure modes.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.189-207
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• 2023

In the present study, the thermoshearing experiment on a rough rock fracture were modeled using a three-dimensional grain-based distinct element model (GBDEM). The experiment was conducted by the Korea Institute of Construction Technology to investigate the progressive shear failure of fracture under the influence of thermal stress in a critical stress state. The numerical model employs an assembly of multiple polyhedral grains and their interfaces to represent the rock sample, and calculates the coupled thermo-mechanical behavior of the grains (blocks) and the interfaces (contacts) using 3DEC, a DEM code. The primary focus was on simulating the temperature evolution, generation of thermal stress, and shear and normal displacements of the fracture. Two fracture models, namely the mated fracture model and the unmated fracture model, were constructed based on the degree of surface matedness, and their respective behaviors were compared and analyzed. By leveraging the advantage of the DEM, the contact area between the fracture surfaces was continuously monitored during the simulation, enabling an examination of its influence on shear behavior. The numerical results demonstrated distinct differences depending on the degree of the surface matedness at the initial stage. In the mated fracture model, where the surfaces were in almost full contact, the characteristic stages of peak stress and residual stress commonly observed in shear behavior of natural rock joints were reasonably replicated, despite exhibiting discrepancies with the experimental results. The analysis of contact area variation over time confirmed that our numerical model effectively simulated the abrupt normal dilation and shear slip, stress softening phenomenon, and transition to the residual state that occur during the peak stress stage. The unmated fracture model, which closely resembled the experimental specimen, showed qualitative agreement with the experimental observations, including heat transfer characteristics, the progressive shear failure process induced by heating, and the increase in thermal stress. However, there were some mismatches between the numerical and experimental results regarding the onset of fracture slip and the magnitudes of fracture stress and displacement. This research was conducted as part of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G, and we expect the numerical model to be enhanced through continued collaboration with other research teams and validated in further studies.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.34-34
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• 2012

Heavy storms rainfall has caused many landslides and slope failures especially in the mountainous area of the world. Landslides and slope failures are common geologic hazards and posed serious threats and globally cause billions in monetary losses and thousands of casualies each year so that studies on slope stability and its failure mechanism under rainfall are being increasing attention of these days. Rainfall-induced slope failures are generally caused by the rise in ground water level, and increase in pore water pressures and seepage forces during periods of intense rainfall. The effective stress in the soil will be decreased due to the increased pore pressure, which thus reduces the soil shear strength, eventually resulting in slope failure. During the rainfall, a wetting front goes downward into the slope, resulting in a gradual increase of the water content and a decrease of the negative pore-water pressure. This negative pore-water pressure is referred to as matric suction when referenced to the pore air pressure that contributes to the stability of unsaturated soil slopes. Therefore, the importance is the study of saturated unsaturated soil behaviors in evaluation of slope stability under heavy rainfall condition. In an actual field, a series of failures may occur in a slope due to a rainfall event. So, this study attempts to develop a numerical model to investigate this failure mechanism. A two-dimensional seepage flow model coupled with a one-dimensional surface flow and erosion/deposition model is used for seepage analysis. It is necessary to identify either there is surface runoff produced or not in a soil slope during a rainfall event, while analyzing the seepage and stability of such slopes. Runoff produced by rainfall may result erosion/deposition process on the surface of the slope. The depth of runoff has vital role in the seepage process within the soil domain so that surface flow and erosion/deposition model computes the surface water head of the runoff produced by the rainfall, and erosion/deposition on the surface of the model slope. Pore water pressure and moisture content data obtained by the seepage flow model are then used to analyze the stability of the slope. Spencer method of slope stability analysis is incorporated into dynamic programming to locate the critical slip surface of a general slope.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.91-100
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• 1988

Assuming that tidal level is constantly changed with an amplitude of 10 meters and a cycle of 12 hours, the slope stability for a typical dyke is analysed. The variation of pore water pressure within the dyke during the tidal change is obtained using a computer program, FLUMP, which is incorporated with saturated-unsaturated and transient flow. The results show that the variation of free water surface and distribution of pore water pressure within the dyke during the tidal fluctuations can be clearly predicted with the computer program. When a tide is lowered to the minimum level, the predicted pressure head is higher than the level of the free water surface in some parts of the dyke; that is, excess pore water pressure is generated in a zone affected by the tidal change. Also an unsaturated zone which shows negative pore water pressure is temporally created when a tide is lowered. The shear strength of the zone can be predicted based on the proposal suggested by Fredlund et al. It is emphasized that the excess pore water pressure generated during tidal fluctuations and strength parameters for the unsaturated zone should be considered in analyzing the slope stability of dykes. When those are considered, the critical slip surface seems to be located below the free water surface obtained when a tide is at the lowest.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.115-122
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• 2005

In this paper, a new method composed of discrete element method and genetic algorithm has been introduced to estimate the safety factor and search critical slip surface on slope stability analysis. In case of estimating the safety factor, conventional methods of slope analysis based on the limit equilibrium do not satisfy the overall equilibrium condition; they must make assumptions regarding the inclination and location of the interstice forces. An alternative slope analysis method based on the discrete element method, which can consider the compatibility condition between force and displacement, is presented. Real-coded genetic algorithm is applied to the search for the minimum factor of safety in proposed analysis method. This search method is shown to be more robust than simple optimization routines, which are apt to find local minimum. Examples are also shown to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.10 no.sup3
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• pp.53-63
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• 2016

Steel fiber-reinforced prestressed concrete (SFRPSC) members typically have high shear strength and deformation capability, compared to conventional prestressed concrete (PSC) members, due to the resistance provided by steel fibers at the crack surface after the onset of diagonal cracking. In this study, shear tests were conducted on the SFRPSC members with the test variables of concrete compressive strength, fiber volume fraction, and prestressing force level. Their localized behavior around the critical shear cracks was measured by a non-contact image-based displacement measurement system, and thus their shear deformation was thoroughly investigated. The tested SFRPSC members showed higher shear strengths as the concrete compressive strength or the level of prestress increased, and their stiffnesses did not change significantly, even after diagonal cracking due to the resistance of steel fibers. As the level of prestress increased, the shear deformation was contributed by the crack opening displacement more than the slip displacement. In addition, the local displacements around the shear crack progressed toward directions that differ from those expected by the principal strain angles that can be typically obtained from the average strains of the concrete element. Thus, this localized deformation characteristics around the shear cracks should be considered when measuring the local deformation of concrete elements near discrete cracks or when calculating the local stresses.