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

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.13-24
• /
• 2004

This study was carried out to plan the prevention of the generation and discharge of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD). The Acid Base Accounting(ABA) test was performed for geological materials such as pit wall, waste rock and stream sediments near the Imgi abandoned pyrophyllite mine in Busan, Korea. In addition, hydraulic characteristics were tested with the disk tension infiltrometer around the waste rock dump. Maximum Potential Acidity(MPA) of geological materials near the Imgi mine was 246.942kg $H_2SO_4/t$, and maximum Acid Neutralising Capacity(ANC) was 8.7kg $H_2SO_4/t$. These results indicate the pit wall and waste rock, except most of stream sediments are acid generating geological materials. These have salt and free hydrogen ion which resulted from oxidation of sulfides. Hence they could be convert rain water to acid rock drainage. Although the waste rock dump of the Imgi mine have very low infiltration rate, slopes of the waste rock dump have many "V" type erosion gullies and multi-layers. These gullies and multi-layers have coarse clastic particle layers which have very large hydraulic conductivity. Through this coarse clastic particle layer a large part of rain flow into ground. And also this layer could function as aeration path which induced oxidation of sulfide minerals and generation of ARD continuously.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.129-135
• /
• 2021

Rock sheds are a type of rockfall protection facility that is installed on the road near steep slopes, where large amount of rockfall is expected. Rock sheds are generally designed to resist approximately 200 kJ to 3,000 kJ of rockfall energy. In a previous study, a new type rock shed structure having a concrete-filled tube (CFT) main frame was proposed. By using CFT as the main frame in a rock shed, rapid construction is possible. Additionally, high load carrying capacity and ductility can be achieved. The behavior of the proposed rock shed structure was studied via elastic analysis with the equivalent static load of rockfall energy as in a previous study. However, it is necessary to investigate the behavior of the proposed rock shed in more detail with a full 3D finite element (FE) model considering realistic rockfall load. The FE model for the CFT rock shed main frame was developed first in this study. Then, the resistance of the CFT rock shed main frame Under ultimate rockfall energy was investigated.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.88-93
• /
• 1999

In modern period, the history of highway landscaping can be divided into three stages. The first stage from the late 1960s to the early 1970s : during this period revegetation operation started and landscape architecture was introduced. The second stage from the late 1970s to the early 1980s : during this period the definition of functional planting which had played the most important role in highway landscaping was established. Also, highway landscaping was influenced by Japan, and the revegetation of highway slopes were applied with Seedspray, Block-sodding methods, and so on. The third stage from late 1980s to the present : during this period eco-landscaping was introduced and began to mix with ecosystem techniques. The revegetation works of cutting-rock slopes have widely been developed. Many people think that landscaping is necessary for us, and that revegetation method is effective to conserve slope environment. Based on accumulated data we have to improve the function of landscaping and revegetation method, and also have to establish the method of landscaping harmonized with our own landscape.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2005.03a
• /
• pp.191-198
• /
• 2005

Slope failures during heavy rainfall have resulted in death of life and economic loss. In recent years, the research on slope damage assessment using Geographical Information System(GIS) has been actively carried out by researchers of several goverment organizations and schools. The researchers in Highway and Transportation Technology Institute (HTTI) of Korea Highway Corporation has developed the GIS database(DB), including highway, rainfalls, soil or rock geometry, types of damage, etc. and have been working on the damage assessment of highway slopes. The DB has been established and summarized in two different ways, such as highway routes and administrative districts. Grid of rainfall intensity generated by maximum rainfalls of each administrative district has been devloped. It shows good correlation of slope damage with heavy rainfalls. Most of damaged slopes were found in the amount of 100 mm to 300 mm rainfalls.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.71-75
• /
• 2014

Forest roads failure is one of the most common problems caused by heavy rainfalls. This study investigated the characteristics on stabilization measures installed for cutting slopes failure of forest road resulted from heavy rainfalls. Three primary factors (slope length, slope gradient, soil type) affecting cutting slope failure were considered and stabilization measures were classified into two types (A type: wooden fence, vegetation sandbag, stone masonry; B type: wire cylinder, gabion, concrete retaining wall) through discriminant analysis based on their capacity of resistance to slope failure. Results showed that A type was mainly installed in such conditions as cut slope <8 m, cut slope gradient $30-40^{\circ}$ and soil type with soil while B type occurred in locational conditions as cut slope length >8 m, cut slope gradient < $30^{\circ}$ and > $30^{\circ}$, and soil type of gravelly soil and rock.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2009.03a
• /
• pp.444-455
• /
• 2009

Great concerns on geotechnical risk & hazard assessment have been increased due to human and economic damage by natural disasters with recent global climate changes. In this paper, geotechnical problems in particular, landslides which is interested in European countries and North America, were mainly discussed. For these, 18 key topics on geotechnical risk and hazards which had been discussed at the LARAM 2008 workshop in Italy were analyzed after grouping by subjects. Main topic contents consisted of applications such as field measurement, early warning systems, uncertainty analysis of parameters using radar, optical data and statistical theory and so on. And the problems related to analysis of vulnerability and deformation due to earthquakes, investigation of gas zone using seismic reflection data in a landslide area, risk quantification and hazard assessment of landslide movements and multi-dimensional analysis for stability of complex slopes were attracted. Also, there were studies on risk matters of cultural heritage, the blockglide of clayey ground, simulations of debris flows based on GIS, quantification of the failure processes of rock slopes, a meshless method for 3D crack modelling, and finally risk assessment for cryological processes due to global warming.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.279-285
• /
• 2019

The process of slope stability analysis is one of the most important stages in design of some civil and mining projects. Bimslopes are made from bimrocks (block-in-matrix rocks) where rocky blocks are distributed in a bonded matrix of finer texture. These kind of slopes are often seen in weathered and near-surface depths. Previous studies have shown that VBP (Volumetric Block Proportion) is one of the most significant factors affecting bimrocks strength and consequently the stability of bimslopes. In this paper, the influence of block inclinations on bimslope stability have been investigated. For this purpose, 180 theoretical models have been made with various VBPs, all of them have a specified block size distribution. These bimslopes contain blocks with differing dips relative the slope inclination. Also for each kind of block inclination, 10 different blocks arrangements have been modeled. The Finite Element Method (FEM) was used to analysis the stability of these bimslopes models. The results showed the inclination of blocks has a strong impact on the Safety Factor and stability of bimslopes. When the difference in angle of dip of blocks relative to the slope angle is maximum, the Safety Factor of bimslopes tends to be a maximum compared with the matrix-only state. Furthermore, with increasing VBP of bimslopes stability increases. The graphs obtained from this study could be used for preliminary guidance in the projects design with bimslopes.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.5-19
• /
• 2019

Considering the natural phenomenon in which steep slopes ($65^{\circ}{\sim}85^{\circ}$) consisting of rock mass remain stable for decades, slopes steeper than 1:0.5 (the standard of slope angle for blast rock) may be applied in geotechnical conditions which are similar to those above at the design and initial construction stages. In the process of analysing the stability of a good to fair continuum rock slope that can be designed as a steep slope, a general method of estimating rock mass strength properties from design practice perspective was required. Practical and genealized engineering methods of determining the properties of a rock mass are important for a good continuum rock slope that can be designed as a steep slope. The Genealized Hoek-Brown (H-B) failure criterion and GSI (Geological Strength Index), which were revised and supplemented by Hoek et al. (2002), were assessed as rock mass characterization systems fully taking into account the effects of discontinuities, and were widely utilized as a method for calculating equivalent Mohr-Coulomb shear strength (balancing the areas) according to stress changes. The concept of calculating equivalent M-C shear strength according to the change of confining stress range was proposed, and on a slope, the equivalent shear strength changes sensitively with changes in the maximum confining stress (${{\sigma}^{\prime}}_{3max}$ or normal stress), making it difficult to use it in practical design. In this study, the method of estimating the strength properties (an iso-angle division method) that can be applied universally within the maximum confining stress range for a good to fair continuum rock mass slope is proposed by applying the H-B failure criterion. In order to assess the validity and applicability of the proposed method of estimating the shear strength (A), the rock slope, which is a study object, was selected as the type of rock (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary) on the steep slope near the existing working design site. It is compared and analyzed with the equivalent M-C shear strength (balancing the areas) proposed by Hoek. The equivalent M-C shear strength of the balancing the areas method and iso-angle division method was estimated using the RocLab program (geotechnical properties calculation software based on the H-B failure criterion (2002)) by using the basic data of the laboratory rock triaxial compression test at the existing working design site and the face mapping of discontinuities on the rock slope of study area. The calculated equivalent M-C shear strength of the balancing the areas method was interlinked to show very large or small cohesion and internal friction angles (generally, greater than $45^{\circ}$). The equivalent M-C shear strength of the iso-angle division is in-between the equivalent M-C shear properties of the balancing the areas, and the internal friction angles show a range of $30^{\circ}$ to $42^{\circ}$. We compared and analyzed the shear strength (A) of the iso-angle division method at the study area with the shear strength (B) of the existing working design site with similar or the same grade RMR each other. The application of the proposed iso-angle division method was indirectly evaluated through the results of the stability analysis (limit equilibrium analysis and finite element analysis) applied with these the strength properties. The difference between A and B of the shear strength is about 10%. LEM results (in wet condition) showed that Fs (A) = 14.08~58.22 (average 32.9) and Fs (B) = 18.39~60.04 (average 32.2), which were similar in accordance with the same rock types. As a result of FEM, displacement (A) = 0.13~0.65 mm (average 0.27 mm) and displacement (B) = 0.14~1.07 mm (average 0.37 mm). Using the GSI and Hoek-Brown failure criterion, the significant result could be identified in the application evaluation. Therefore, the strength properties of rock mass estimated by the iso-angle division method could be applied with practical shear strength.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.279-288
• /
• 2001

Jointed rock mass can be analyzed by either continuum model or discontinuum model. Finite element method or finite difference method is mainly used for continuum modelling. Although discontinuum model is very attractive in analyzing the behavior of each block in jointed blocky rock masses, it has shortcomings such that it is difficult to investigate each joint exactly with the present technology and the amount of calculation in computer becomes trio excessive. Moreover, in case of the jointed blocky rock mass which has more than 2 dominant joint sets, it is impossible to model the behavior of each block. Therefore, a model such as ubiquitous joint model theory which assumes the rock mass as a continuum, is required. In the case of tunnels, unlike slopes, it is not easy to obtain safety factor by utilizing analysis method based on limit equilibrium method because it is difficult to assume the shape of failure surface in advance. For this reason, numerical analyses for tunnels have been limited to analyzing stability rather than in calculating the safety factor. In this study, the behavior of a tunnel excavated in jointed rock mass is analyzed numerically by using ubiquitous joint model which can incorporate 2 joint sets and a method to calculate safety factor of the tunnel numerically is presented. To this end, stress reduction technique is adopted.