• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.475-483
• /
• 2016

A numerical analysis model capable of predicting the shape, the size and the potentiality of collapse of tetrahedral blocks considering the persistence obtained from the field survey of joint distribution around the underground excavation surface has been developed. Numerical functions of analyzing both the exposed trace distribution on the excavation surface and the formation of tetrahedral block controlled by the extent of joint surface have been established and linked to the previously developed three dimensional deterministic block analysis model. To illustrate the reliability of advanced numerical model the case of underground excavation in which the collapse of rock block had practically taken place was studied. Representative orientations of joint sets was determined based on the joint distribution pattern observed on the excavation surfaces. The formation of block on the roof of underground opening was analyzed to unveil the potential tetrahedral block the shape of which was very similar to the collapsed rock block. Mechanisms of collapse process has been also analyzed by considering the three dimensional shape of tetrahedral block.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.375-385
• /
• 2023

There are many joint fissures distributed in the engineering rock mass. In the process of geological history, the underground rock mass undergoes strong geological processes, and undergoes complex geological processes such as fracture breeding, expansion, recementation, and re-expansion. In this paper, the damage-stick-slip process (DSSP), an analysis model used for rock mass failure slip, was established to examine the master control and time-dependent mechanical properties of the new and primary fractures of a multi-fractured rock mass under the action of stress loading. The experimental system for the recemented multi-fractured rock mass was developed to validate the above theory. First, a rock mass failure test was conducted. Then, the failure stress state was kept constant, and the fractured rock mass was grouted and cemented. A secondary loading was applied until the grouted mass reached the intended strength to investigate the bearing capacity of the recemented multi-fractured rock mass, and an acoustic emission (AE) system was used to monitor AE events and the update of damage energy. The results show that the initial fracture angle and direction had a significant effect on the re-failure process of the cement rock mass; Compared with the monitoring results of the acoustic emission (AE) measurements, the master control surface, key blocks and other control factors in the multi-fractured rock mass were obtained; The triangular shaped block in rock mass plays an important role in the stress and displacement change of multi-fracture rock mass and the long fissure and the fractures with close fracture tip are easier to activate, and the position where the longer fractures intersect with the smaller fractures is easier to generate new fractures. The results are of great significance to a multi-block structure, which affects the safety of underground coal mining.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.96-107
• /
• 1993

This paper deals with the analysis of rock slope stability using the distinct element method. This method consists in analysis of the interaction of discrete block assemblage delimited by elementary joints, which permits to consider the heterogeneous, anisotropic and discontinuous features of the rock mass. In particular, we were able to show that this method, and especially the BRIG3D software, is an outstanding tool which gives informations of greatest interest in order to analyze the toppling mechanisms. We have confirmed the fundamental role of the rock mass structure with different simulations. In the case of toppling phenomena, the essential parameter is the dip of major discontinuities. It has an influence on the intensity and volume of deformations. The anisotropic and heterogeneous features of the rock mass play also an important role. It is proved by insertion of thick rock bars in the structure or varying rock block sizes in the mass. These models modified considerably the stress distribution and the deformation distribution. Finally, we have analyzed the influence of mechanical parameters such as friction angle and tangential stiffness.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.723-738
• /
• 2017

Rock is a heterogeneous material, which introduces complexity in the analysis of rock slopes, since both the existing discontinuities within the rock mass and the intact rock contribute to the degradation of strength. Rock failure is often catastrophic due to the brittle nature of the material, involving the sliding along structural planes and the fracturing of rock bridge. This paper proposes an advanced discretization method of rock mass based on block theory. An in-house software, GeoSMA-3D, has been developed to generate the discrete fracture network (DFN) model, considering both measured and artificial joints. Measured joints are obtained from the photogrammetry analysis on the excavation face. Statistical tools then facilitate to derive artificial joints within the rock mass. Key blocks are searched to provide guidance on potential reinforcement measures. The discretized blocky system is subsequently implemented into a discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) code. Strength reduction technique is employed to analyze the stability of the slope, where the factor of safety can be obtained once excessive deformation of slope profile is observed. The combined analysis approach also provides the failure mode, which can be used to guide the choice of strengthening strategy if needed. Finally, an illustrated example is presented for the analysis of a rock slope of 20 m height inclined at $60^{\circ}$ using combined GeoSMA-3D and DDA calculation.

• Explosives and Blasting
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2004

In bench blasting, rock fragmentation is one of the most important factors determining productivity. Rock fragmentation could be affected by various conditions and these were hewn that rock joint conditions and in-situ block sizes were the biggest effect on it. This research is focused on what or how to influence on rock fragmentation according to relation between blasting conditions and the in-situ rock conditions such as rock joint conditions and in-situ block size. Field measurements were carried out in 3 open pit limestone mines, where in-situ rock conditions and blasting conditions were fully investigated. The results show that the parameters interact with blasting conditions complicatedly and especially in-situ block size has bigger effects. Dip direction of major joint set also can affect on fragmentation. Mean fragment size become smallest when dip direction of major joint set is about $30^{\circ}$ with the bench direction. The reason is considered to be come from difference of propagation paths of elastic wave.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.149-157
• /
• 1999

A powerful numerical method that can be used for that purpose is the Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) method developed by Shi in 1988. In this method, rock masses are treated as systems of finite and deformable blocks. Large rock mass deformations and block movements are allowed. Although various extensions of the DDA method have been proposed in the literature, the method is not capable of modeling water-block interaction that is needed when modeling surface or underground excavation in fractured rock. This paper presents a new extension to the DDA method. The extension consists of hydro-mechanical coupling between rock blocks and water flow in fractures. A example of application of the DDA method with the new extension is presented. The results of the present study indicate that fracture flow could have a destabilizing effect on the tunnel stability.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.329-341
• /
• 2012

Magai Wareiishi Jizo (Buddhist statue carved on rock surface) is close to shoreline and a part of rock block is periodically immersed by seawater. Rock material of the Wareiishi-jizo statue is composed mainly of medium or coarse-grained biotite granite and very durable. However, physical properties of the rock have been changed according to the complex interactions of the salt solution and surrounding environment. Exfoliation of the rock surface is a serious condition by salt crystallization. Exfoliation (14.6%) is concentrated on the upper part of the rock block with mainly boundary of seawater as the center. On the other hand, lower part of the rock block show black layers by contaminants deposition. In addition, brown discoloration and biological contaminants is overlapped. Rock surface show high discoloration rate of 50.5% (black discoloration, 29.2% > yellow discoloration, 14.1% > brown discoloration, 4.4% > green discoloration, 2.9%). Upper part of the rock block had a lot of change in the physical properties than lower part that is immersed by seawater. In particular, surface properties of the rock block was very weak state at the boundary surface of seawater permeation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 1999.03a
• /
• pp.315-322
• /
• 1999

The probabilistic keyblock concept which was based upon block theory was applied to the example site by using the observed block moulds data. The more was the block failure likelihood (P(B)) which was defined by the product of the joint combination probability, the shape parameter and the instability parameter, the more were the frequencies of failures observed. If we can acquire these data during a tunnel construction stage, they will be used as a very useful data to construct another tunnel in the neighborhood. Furthermore, a sedimentary rock may have larger P(B) values than a crystalline rock, and for the given P(B) value, the percent block moulds are larger in the former than latter.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.158-170
• /
• 2002

Since the development of Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) by Shi (1984), there has been much improvement in the theory and programs. These, however, are all based on the assumption of a two-dimensional plane strain or plane stress state; and because a rock block system is a three-dimensional problem, a two-dimensional analysis has limited application. So a three-dimensional analysis is required in the design of rock slopes and underground spaces where three-dimensional discontinuities dominate stability. In this study three-dimensional DDA program is developed using the Shi's two-dimensional theory and program, and the two cases of three-dimensional block are analysed. The program is applied to one sliding-face blocks and wedge sliding and it gives the good results comparing to the exact solution. Multi-block cases will be analysed for many other application soon.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.299-306
• /
• 2023

Environmental pollution problems are occurring due to the negative treatment of basalt waste in Jeju Island. This study identifies the characteristics of permeable block with basalt with physical and chemical adsorption mechanisms and examines their applicability and functionality as building materials. This experiment is basic data for evaluating the functionality of the permeable block by analyzing flexural strength, compressive strength, permeability coefficient, carbon dioxide, and fine dust adsorption rate by producing a permeable block using a basalt waste rock. As the basalt waste stone replacement rate increased, the flexural strength and compressive strength tended to decrease, and as the replacement rate increased, the water permeability coefficient, absorption rate, carbon dioxide, and fine dust adsorption rate tended to increase. Therefore, it is judged that the permeable block using the basalt waste rock is superior to the existing permeable block.