• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.217-229
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• 2024

Determining lateral earth pressure coefficient (EPC) K is a classic problem in geotechnical engineering. It is a key parameter for estimating the stresses in backfilled openings. For backfilled openings with rigid and immobile walls, some suggested using the Jaky's at-rest earth pressure coefficient K₀ while other suggested taking the Rankine's active earth pressure coefficient K_a. A single value was proposed for the entire backfilled opening. To better understand the distributions of stresses and K in a backfilled opening, a series of laboratory tests have been conducted. The horizontal and vertical normal stresses at the center and near the wall of the opening were measured. The values of K at the center and near the wall were then calculated with the measured horizontal and vertical normal stresses. The results show that the values of K are close to K_a at the center and close to K₀ near the wall. Furthermore, the experimental results show that the horizontal stress is almost the same at the center and near the wall, indicating a uniform distribution from the center to the wall. It can be estimated by analytical solutions using either K_a or K₀. The vertical stress is higher near the center than near the wall. Its analytical estimation can only be done by using K_a at the center and K₀ near the wall. Finally, the test results were used to calibrate a numerical model of FLAC2D, which was then used to analyze the influence of column size on the stresses and K in the backfilled opening.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.275-281
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• 2012

Thermal distribution in soils must be considered in engineering designs and constructions, including estimates of frost heave and thaw settlement, infrastructure in cold regions, and geothermal systems. Because thermal conductivity is a key parameter for evaluation of thermal distribution in soils, it must be accurately estimated. The thermal conductivity of fine-grained soils has been widely studied in recent years; however, few studies have reported a reliable method for experimental measurement. The present study presents the results of an experimental investigation of the thermal conductivity of a saturated kaolinite-silica mixture with respect to the variation of dry density. Thermal conductivities were measured in Constant Rate of Strain (CRS) consolidation tests, and the experimental data were analyzed to evaluate the accuracy of the new measurement system. In addition, we present an evaluation method for predicting thermal conductivity in fine-grained soils.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.79-88
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• 2008

Since the hydraulic fracturing field testing method was introduced first to Korean geotechnical engineers in 1994, there have been lots of progresses in a hardware system as well as an interpretation tool. The hydrofracturing system of first generation was the pipe-line type, so it was not easy to handle. It had been modified to a wire-line system at their second generation. It was more compact one but it also needed an additional air-compressor. Our current system is much more compact and operated by all-in-one system, so it doesn't need an additional air-compressor. With a progress in a hardware system, the software for analyzing the in-situ stress regime has also been progressed. For example, the shut-in pressure, which is the most ambiguous parameter to be obtained from hydrofracturing pressure curves, can now be acquired automatically from the various methods. While the hardware and software for hydrofracturing tests are being developed during the last decade, the author could accumulate the field test results which can cover the almost whole area of South Korea. Currently these field data are used widely in a feasibility study or a preliminary design step for tunnel construction in Korea. Regarding the difficulties in a site selection and a test performance for the in-situ stress measurement at an off-shore area, the in-situ stress regime obtained from the field experiences in the land area can be used indirectly for the design of a sub-sea tunnel. From the hydrofracturing stress measurements, the trend of magnitude and direction of in-situ stress field was shown identically with the geological information in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.19-25
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• 2009

The current study developed light-weighted mixed soil that can solve problems related with soft soil such as ground subsidence, sliding and lateral displacement of ground. By reducing weight of reclaimed soil through mixing phosphogypsum and recycled EPS beads with the weathered granite soil. A series of geotechnical laboratory tests including physical index test, compaction test, CBR test, and direct shear test were performed and engineering properties were reviewed in order to assess applicability of the light-weighted mixed soil for roads and abutment and various back-filling materials at the reclamation area. Based on the laboratory test results, it was found that the maximum dry unit weight of the light-weighted soil ranges $14.32{\sim}15.79kN/m^3$ and the optimum water content ranges 21.91~24.23%, which means there is 11~19.3% weight decrease effect when comparing with general weathered granite soil. Also it was found that the corrected CBR value ranges 10.4~18.4% satisfying the domestic regulations on road subgrade and back-filling material. In addition, as for shear strength parameter, cohesion ranges 10.79~18.64 kPa and internal frictional angle ranges $35.4{\sim}37.2^{\circ}$, which are similar with those of general construction soil and back-filling material used in Korea. So it can be concluded that light-weighted mixed soil with phosphogypsum can be used effectively for soft reclamation ground as actual filling material and back-filling material. From the current study, it was found that light-weighted mixed soil with phosphogypsum has not only weight reduction effect, but also has no special problems in shear strength and bearing capacity. Therefore, it is expected that phosphogypsum can be recycled in bulk as road subgrade and back-filling material at the reclamation area.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

In order to review the utility of Lade's single hardening constitutive model, a series of isotropic compression-expansion tests and consolidated drained triaxial tests including as CTC, TC, RTC, and OSP were performed by Baekma river sand with various of stress path. Parameters required in model were determined using these tests. The accuracy of analysis was reviewed by back analysis of test results used to determine the 11 parameters of soil property through the test of each stress path. Also. for verifying the accuracy of prediction for the stress-strain behavior using failure criterion related 9 parameters with correlational equation and constant and yield criterion related parameters h, ${\alpha}$ and ${\eta}_1$, when stress path is different with each other, it has been obtained in the review result of stress path dependent characteristics of the constitutional model through the analyzing results of CTC, TC, RTC, OSP, and fine silica sand tests.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.143-159
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• 2017

A probabilistic fragility assessment procedure is developed in this paper to predict risks of damage arising from seismic loading to the two-cell RC box tunnel. Especially, the paper focuses on establishing a simplified methodology to derive fragility curves which are an indispensable ingredient of seismic fragility assessment. In consideration of soil-structure interaction (SSI) effect, the ground response acceleration method for buried structure (GRAMBS) is used in the proposed approach to estimate the dynamic response behavior of the structures. In addition, the damage states of tunnels are identified by conducting the pushover analyses and Latin Hypercube sampling (LHS) technique is employed to consider the uncertainties associated with design variables. To illustrate the concepts described, a numerical analysis is conducted and fragility curves are developed for a large set of artificially generated ground motions satisfying a design spectrum. The seismic fragility curves are represented by two-parameter lognormal distribution function and its two parameters, namely the median and log-standard deviation, are estimated using the maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) method.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.2C
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• pp.85-93
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• 2010

The shear stiffness has become an important design parameter to understand the soil behavior. In particular, the elastic moduli and void ratio has been considered as important parameters for the design of the geotechnical structures. The objective of this paper is the development of the penetration type Field Velocity and Resistivity Probe (FVRP) which is able to assess the elastic moduli and void ratio based on the elastic wave velocities and electrical resistivity. The elastic waves including the compressional and shear wave are measured by piezo disk elements and bender elements. And the electrical resistivity is measured by the resistivity probe, which is manufactured and installed at the tip of the FVRP. The penetration tests are carried out in calibration chamber and field. In the laboratory calibration chamber test, after the sand-clay slurry mixtures are prepared and consolidated. The FVRP is progressively penetrated and the data are measured at each 1 cm. The field experiment is also carried out in the southern part of Korea Peninsular. Data gathering is performed in the depth of 6~20 m at each 10 cm. The elastic moduli and void ratio are estimated based on the analytical and empirical solutions by using the elastic wave velocities and electrical resistivity measured in the chamber and field. The void ratios based on the elastic wave velocities and the electrical resistivity are similar to the volume based void ratio. This study suggests that the FVRP, which evaluates the elastic wave velocities and the electrical resistivity, may be a useful instrument for assessing the elastic moduli and void ratio in soft soils.