• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.25-36
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• 2000

The purpose of this research work is to propose an analytical method of tunnel design based on reasonable site data. Therefore the proposed design method consists of monitoring data and Modified In Situ Rock Model. Also the Rock Mass Rating for very poor quality rock is very difficult to estimate, the balances between the ratings may no longer gives a reliable basis for the rock mass strength. But in reality Rock Mass Rating is only the property which can be obtained from face mapping records of the exposed tunnel face during construction stage. Evaluation of rock parameters for the actual design prior to tunnel construction should be corrected during tunnelling process in particularly complex ground conditions. This study intends to investigate application of in-situ rock model to soft rock tunnelling (weathered rock) by face mapping results and site measurement data that are obtained at the costraction site of Seoul Subway Tunnel. For the preparation of more reliable ground parameters, the Rock Mass Rating values for the weathered rocks were modified and readjusted in accordance with the measurement data. The modified input parameters obtained by the proposed method are used for the prediction of the tunnel behavior at subsequent construction stages. The results of this study revealed that more reasonable feed back tunnel analysis can be possible as suggested. Ample measurement data would be able to confirm the new proposed technique in this research work.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2024

Determination of jointed rock mass properties plays a significant role in the design and construction of underground structures such as tunneling and mining. Rock mass classification systems such as Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Rock Mass Index (RMi), Rock Mass Quality (Q), and deformation modulus (Em) are determined from the jointed rock masses. However, parameters of jointed rock masses can be affected by the tunnel depth below the surface due to the effect of the in situ stresses. In addition, the geomechanical properties of rocks change due to the effect of metamorphism. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to apply correlation analysis to investigate the relationships between rock mass properties and some parameters related to the depth of the tunnel studied. For this purpose, the field work consisted of determining rock mass parameters in a tunnel alignment (~7.1 km) at varying depths from 21 m to 431 m below ground surface. At the same excavation depths, thirty-seven rock types were also sampled and tested in the laboratory. Correlations were made between vertical stress and depth, horizontal/vertical stress ratio (k) and depth, k and Em, k and RMi, k and point load index (PLI), k and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), Em and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), UCS and PLI, UCS and BTS. Relationships were significant (significance level=0.000) at the confidence interval of 95% (r = 0.77-0.88) between the data pairs for the rocks taken from depths greater than 166 m where the ratio of horizontal to vertical stress is between 0.6 and 1.2. The in-situ stress parameters affected rock mass properties as well as metamorphism which affected the geomechanical properties of rock materials by affecting the behavior of minerals and textures within rocks. This study revealed that in-situ stress parameters and metamorphism should be reviewed when tunnel studies are carried out.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.16 no.2 s.61
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• pp.135-145
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• 2006

In this study, conditional simulation was conducted to estimate rock mass rating(RMR) in unsurveyed regions. Sequential Gaussian simulation(SGS) and sequential indicator simulation(SIS) were applied for estimating RMR from the bore hole logging data. The uncertainty of SGS and SIS was verified by sample cross validation. A subset composed of 5 bore hole logging data among the original 30 bore hole logging data was set aside as test data. The remainder was training data. The quality of SGS and SIS estimation on the testing data reflects how well it would perform in an unsupervised setting. SGS and SIS were useful stochastic methods to estimate the spatial distribution of rock mass classes correctly and assess the uncertainty of estimation quantitatively. The result of conditional simulation can offer useful information of rock mass classes such as RMR in unsurveyed regions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.177-184
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• 1999

In general tile evaluation process of rock slope stability is an ambiguous system which is made up of ideas subjected to practical experience of an expert. This paper aims to propose more effective methods that helps engineers to evaluate the stability of rock slope by using RMR(Rock Mass Rating for the Geomechanics Classification) and Stereo-graphic Projection and Fuzzy Approximate Reasoning Concept. the result of this paper is that a rational evaluation of rock slope stability and countermeasures can be achieved thorough RMR. and Stereo-graphic Projection and Fuzzy Approximate Reasoning Concept.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.13-21
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• 2014

This study analyzed the differences in the analysis techniques through a comparative analysis of the various segment's modeling techniques of Shield TBM method and proposed reasonable modeling techniques. Also, this study suggested reasonable estimating methods of load to be applicable in the field through the load analysis and three-dimensional finite element analysis by estimating model of rock mass relaxation load. Estimating method of relaxation area by rock mass rating makes no odds of output in subgrade with high rock mass rating, but so the difference of output is large, that is judged to set conservative design off. In estimating result of rock mass relaxation area by three-dimensional analysis relaxation area of subgrade with low-grade soil was predicted to be positioned at medium-range of many methods, in case of designing segment in subgrade with low-grade soil it needs to actively review estimation of relaxation area through three-dimensional analysis reflecting mechanical tunnel excavation.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.539-554
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• 2023

This article is dedicated to the pursuit of establishing a robust empirical relationship that allows for the estimation of in-situ modulus of deformations (E_m and G_m) within sedimentary rock slope masses through the utilization of Q_slope values. To achieve this significant objective, an expansive and thorough methodology is employed, encompassing a comprehensive field survey, meticulous sample collection, and rigorous laboratory testing. The study sources a total of 26 specimens from five distinct locations within the South Pars (known as Assalouyeh) region, ensuring a representative dataset for robust correlations. The results of this extensive analysis reveal compelling empirical connections between E_m, geomechanical characteristics of the rock mass, and the calculated Q_slope values. Specifically, these relationships are expressed as follows: E_m = 2.859 Q_slope + 4.628 (R² = 0.554), and G_m = 1.856 Q_slope + 3.008 (R² = 0.524). Moreover, the study unravels intriguing insights into the interplay between in-situ deformation moduli and the widely utilized Rock Mass Rating (RMR) computations, leading to the formulation of equations that facilitate predictions: RMR = 18.12 E_m0.460 (R² = 0.798) and RMR = 22.09 G_m0.460 (R² = 0.766). Beyond these correlations, the study delves into the intricate relationship between RMR and Rock Quality Designation (RQD) with Qslope values. The findings elucidate the following relationships: RMR = 34.05e^0.33Qslope (R² = 0.712) and RQD = 31.42e^0.549Qslope (R² = 0.902). Furthermore, leveraging the insights garnered from this comprehensive analysis, the study offers an empirically derived support system tailored to the distinct characteristics of discontinuous rock slopes, grounded firmly within the framework of the Q_slope methodology. This holistic approach contributes significantly to advancing the understanding of sedimentary rock slope stability and provides valuable tools for informed engineering decisions.

• 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.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.78-82
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• 2003

In this paper, simulated annealing technique was used to estimate the rock joint characteristics, RMR(rock mass rating) values, to overcome the defects of ordinary kriging. Ordinary kriging reduced the variance of data, so lost the characteristics of distribution. Simulated annealing technique could reflect the distribution feature and the spatial correlation of the original data. Through the comparisons between three times simulations, the uncertainty of the simulation could be quantified, and sufficient results were obtained.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.535-542
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• 2000

The investigated cut-slope is located in Odong-Ri, Hoebuk-Myun, Boeun-Gun and composed of quartzite and phyllitic rocks (approximately 80 meters in length and 25 meters in height). During the investigation, the groundwater which was inferred to the natural pipe of slope was continuously flowing in the upper part of slope. The investigation for discontinuity properties in this area was carried out to decide the rock mass rating and strength parameters. To analyze the stability of cut-slope, lower equal-area hemisphere projection method was used. And laboratory test was done to evaluate engineering properties of soil which was sampled in the non-failure and failure area The inferred causes of cut-slope failure are the geometric relationship between the orientation of cut-slope and geological structures such as joints, faults which is distributed in the slope. And direct cause of failure is the increase of water content due to the heavy rainfall.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2016

This study estimates relationships between physical and chemical weathering indices of various rock types and topographical relief. Physical weathering properties such as rock strength and joint and chemical weathering indices such as the $SiO_2/Al2O_3$, CIA and WPI were analyzed from 18 rock outcrops in mountain and valley areas consisting of 9 rock types. The results indicate that the elevation and relief of topography increase physical strength of rock increases. It can be suggested that the total r(rock-mass strength rating) and R(rock rebound strength by Schmidt Hammer) are most useful indices as a quantitative weathering property factor to explain formative causes of topographical relief. The results also suggest that rock types such as sandstone, granite, gneiss and schist are most suitable to explain meaningful difference in topographical relief with the physical and chemical weathering indices.