• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.355-364
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• 2004

A study on the weathering grade classification has been performed for granite and granite gneiss in Korea. The qualitative classification criteria of weathering were reviewed and then modified with field studies for the weathered rock masses. The thin section observations and XRD analyses for the different weathering grades rock samples showed the petrographical and petrophysical difference with respect to the weathering : the proportion of weathering-resistant minerals suck at quartz and orthoclase has a tendency to increase with the development of weathering, but that of weathering-sensible minerals such as anorthite and biotite is decreased. The ranges of physical and mechanical rock properties for different weathering grades were obtained from the laboratory rock tests and field tests for the studied rocks. And then, along with $RDI_{sq}$(Fookes et al., 1988), the weathering index $I_{a}$, (Woo, 2003) has been developed in this study to demarcate the weathering grade. Those two indices rely mainly on the water absorption ratio of rock and on the different rock strength. The range of these weathering indices have been determined with the physical and mechanical rock properties that can be obtained from simple field or laboratory tests in 4 grades $I_{a}$＞ 7 for F, 3.5 ＜ $I_{a}$ ＜ 10 for SW, 1.0 $I_{a}$＜ 6.0 for MW and $I_{a}$＜ 2.5 for HW. Consequently, the weathering index could be utilized to classify quantitatively the rock weathering grade, especially for the studied granites and the granite gneiss in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.5-17
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• 2000

The physical and mechanical properties of the sedimentary rocks deposited in Taegu and Kyongbuk region have been measured in the laboratory and at the field. Four kinds of rocks such as the shale, the mudstone, the siltstone and the sandstone were the object of this study. In sedimentary rock joint, bedding made it impossible to extract cores for uniaxial compressive test. Some correlations between the uniaxial compressive strength and the other characteristic values such as Point load index, Schmidt hammer rebound, Brazilian strength, P-wave velocity and Absorption ratio are made. The chemical and mineral compositions are also investigated by the XRF and XRD analysis. In addition, the weathering grade of rocks are classified by the quantitative indices of Point load index, Schmidt hammer rebound and Absorption ratio.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.381-391
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• 2011

Weathering can reduce rock strength and eventually affect the structural stability of a rock mass, which is important in the field of engineering geology. Several methods have been developed to evaluate the degree of weathering, including the chemical weathering index. In this study, we analyzed the weathering degree and characteristics of microtextures and pores in crystalline rocks (gneiss and granites) based on petrographic observations, the chemical weathering index, mineralogy by XRD, microtextural analysis by SEM/EDS, measurements of pore size and surface area by the BET method, and microporosity by X-ray CT. The formation of secondary minerals and microtexture in gneiss and granitic rocks are assumed to be affected by complex processes such as dissolution, precipitation, and fracturing. Hence, it is clear that some chemical weathering indices that are based solely on whole-rock chemistry (e.g., CIA and CWI) are unable to provide reliable assessments of the degree of weathering. Great care is needed to evaluate the degree of chemical weathering, including an understanding of the mineralogy and microtexture of the rock mass, as well as the characteristics of micropores.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.13-23
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• 2007

Weathered soils appear from the rock and its weathering result. In accordance with the degree of weathering the roch may become soft rock, weathered rock and residual soil. In general, classification method for determining the degree of weathering are performed by chemical method and N-value. But these method have some problems. So, this research is to suggest an appropriate physical method to determine the degree of weathering of weathered soils. A new classification method for determining the degree of weathering is suggested, based upon the results from fall cone test. According to the proposed physical method using fall cone apparatus, the measured values of the samples from the same area show distinctive difference of weathering. For the checking, we selected two areas. As a result, the relationship between CWI and water content according to penetration is expressed as an equation in Ilsan and Incheon area. And it proved to be a good method to determine the degree of weathering.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.127-139
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• 2017

Site investigation including boring and various in-situ borehole test (Pressuremeter test, Borehole shear test, Downhole test, Suspension PS logging, Density logging) and X-ray fluorescence analysis for rock core sample were performed to estimate geotechnical properties and weathering degree of weathered granite rock in Goyang. Deformation modulus, shear strength parameter and shear wave velocity estimated through in-situ borehole test had a tendency to increase with depth. And several chemical weathering indices evaluated by X-ray fluorescence analysis had a general tendency of reducing weathering degree in accordance with depth. Also, relationship between VR determined as a representative weathering index and the geotechnical properties was analyzed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.863-874
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• 2008

We have to judge engineering properties of rock accurately in order to design and construct rock structure safely and economically. Among the rock tests, the test result of UCS(Uniaxial Compressive Strength) is very important factor used in the variety ways for designing and construction of underground structures, rock slope and foundation analysis. But the UCS test has some disadvantages of intact sample preparation such as because the shape of sample has to be regular cylindrical, cube or rectangular. In order to solve those problem, indirect tests are used such as point load test, schmidt hammer test, absorption test, dry density to predict UCS of rock. Those tests are easy to prepare sample and convenient to carry out the tests, so it is simple and costs less. Schmidt hammer test are frequently used in the construction site, because it is handy and easy to use, but there is concern of misuse without classifying the specification of each schmidt hammer. Thus, this study suggested presumptive numerical formula related on each specification of schmidt hammer test, point load test, absorption test and dry density also. We compared presumptive numerical formula and R-square through schmidt rebound assessment method already brought up. Also, through the test we offer the extent of weathering index according to the weathering grade.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.41-54
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• 2012

The weathering process of rocks leads to the reduction of geotechnical bearing capacity. The weathering of granite is frequently used to refer to the degradation of geotechnical property in the design and construction of infra-structure. In this study, the range of values of CIA (chemical index of alteration) and the change of mineral compositions by weathering have been analysed with igneous rock, which covers 45.5% in South Korean territory. Several weathering indices were studied for various rocks found in Korea and significant relationships between different indices were delineated via statistical analysis. The applicability of CIA was found to be the most significant among all weathering indicies. The composition of illite, the secondary weathering residual, generally increases for the felsic rock, and swelling clay material is not included. The weathering of felsic rock will follow a sequential process, starting from bed rock, illite, and chlorite to kaoline. The mafic rock will show weathering process, from bed rock, smectite, and chlorite to kaoline. The intermediate rocks such as andesite and tuff will show similar weathering procedure and the composition of kaoline, chlorite, and smectite tends to increase more than that of illite when the mafic rock is dominated. This means the increase of rock material which has high CEC (cation exchange capacity) during secondary weathering process. However, the characteristics of a specific rock cannot be completely analyzed using merely CIA, since it is exclusively based on chemical composition and corresponding alteration. The CIA can be used to quantify the weathering process in a limited range, and further considerations such as rock composition, strength characteristics will be required to configure the comprehensive weathering impact on any specific region.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.53-64
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• 2011

Grus weathering mantles are widely distributed in Southern Korean Peninsula and are considered to be results of chemical weathering related to palaeoclimate milieu. This paper attempts to address this issue by CIA(chemical index of alteration). The climatic approach to the formation of grus mantles offers limited explanation of field occurrences, as these materials are widespread across climatic zones, from the humid tropics to cool temperate areas, although rates of grusification are likely to be influenced by climatic parameters. CIA values for granitoid weathering mantles in S. Korea are 50, which is the same of unweathered granitic rocks. Grus mantles in Korean peninsula show very low level in chemical alteration by CIA.

• Geotechnical Engineering
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.5-22
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• 1993

A series of laboratory tests (physical and mechanical index and engineering design) were conducted on undisturbed granite soils of CW and RS weathering grades in Korea. From these testes it can be concluded that most of physical and mechanical index values are very sensitive to change in weathering grade from CW to RS. Engineering design tests indicate that the unconfined compressive strength and the shear strength parameters are significantly reduced and that the soil becomes ductile and plastic with increasing weathering and saturation. It was found that weathered granite soils have the special characteristics when water saturated: (i) they significantly lose their shear strength(especially cohesion) and unconfined compressive strength, (ii) they are fragile and their grains break down in water as observed in grain size analysis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1997.09a
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• pp.115-136
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• 1997