• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.65-79
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• 2019

In this study, simple regression and multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between breccia and clay content and shear strength in fault cores. The results of the simple regression analysis performed for each rock (andesitic rock, granite, and sedimentary rock) and three levels of normal stress (${\sigma}_n=54$, 108, 162 kPa), reveal that the shear strength is proportional to breccia content and inversely proportional to clay content. Furthermore, as normal stress increases, the shear strength is influenced by the change in component content, correlating more strongly with clay content than with breccia content. In the multiple regression analysis, which considers both breccia and clay content, the shear strength is found to be more sensitive to the change in breccia content than to that of clay. As a result, the most suitable regression model for each rock is proposed by comparing the coefficients of determination ($R^2$) estimated from the simple regression analysis with those from the multiple regression analysis. The proposed models show high coefficients of determination of $R^2=0.624-0.830$.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.667-672
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• 2005

The uncemented breccia consisted of conglomerate and breccia, which are not originated from volcanic clastics, shows wide variation of engineering properties depending on the characteristics of matrix of the uncemented breccia. These uncemented breccia have breccia and matrix irregularly distributed according to their depth and position. Clay minerals are also included in the matrix of these uncemented breccia, so they are expected to show expansive behavior and weakness against weathering process. In this study, the volumetric ratio of breccia on the cores had been calculated using digital image processing technique (performed on recovered core box and their sections). The 3-axial compressional strength test had been done with a shaping of rapid cooling method, and the shear strength (c, ${\phi}$) of uncemented breccia due to the breccia content had been calculated by applying BIMROCK model curve suggested by Goodman. A reliable analysis on the engineering properties of uncemented breccia had been also possible by using borehole density logging and borehole loading test for the accurate determination of the unit weight and the deformation constants deformation modulus.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.71-85
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• 2020

To understand behavior of fault cores in the field of geotechnical and geological engineering, we present an investigation of the physical properties (breccia and clay contents, unit weight, porosity, and water content) and friction characteristics (internal friction angle and cohesion) of fault cores, in granitic, sedimentary, and volcanic rocks in South Korea. The breccia contents in the fault cores are positively correlated with unit weight and negatively correlated with clay content, porosity, and water content. The inter-quartile ranges of internal friction angles and cohesion calculated from direct shear tests are 16.7-38.1° and 2.5-25.3 kPa, respectively. The influence of physical properties on the friction characteristics of the fault cores was analyzed and showed that in all three rock types the internal friction angles are positively correlated with breccia content and unit weight, and negatively correlated with clay content, porosity, and water content. In contrast, the cohesions of the fault cores are negatively correlated with breccia content and unit weight, and positively correlated with clay content, porosity, and water content.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.137-151
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• 2013

This study is focused on element behaviors and mineral compositions of the fault rock developed in Yongdang-ri, Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju City, Korea, using XRF, ICP, XRD, and EPMA/BSE in order to better understand the chemical variations in fault rocks during the fault activity, with emphasis on dependence of chemical mobility on mineralogy across the fault zone. As one of the main components of the fault rocks, $SiO_2$ shows the highest content which ranges from 61.6 to 71.0%, and $Al_2O_3$ is also high as having the 10.8~15.8% range. Alkali elements such as $Na_2O$ and $K_2O$ are in the range of 0.22~4.63% and 2.02~4.89%, respectively, and $Fe_2O_3$ is 3.80~12.5%, indicating that there are significant variations within the fault rock. Based on the chemical characteristics in the fault rocks, it is evident that the fault gouge zone is depleted in $Na_2O$, $Al_2O_3$, $K_2O$, $SiO_2$, CaO, Ba and Sr, whereas enriched in $Fe_2O_3$, MgO, MnO, Zr, Hf and Rb relative to the fault breccia zone. Such chemical behaviors are closely related to the difference in the mineral compositions between breccia and gouge zones because the breccia zone consists of the rock-forming minerals including quartz and feldspar, whereas the gouge zone consists of abundant clay minerals such as illite and chlorite. The alteration of the primary minerals leading to the formation of the clay minerals in the fault zone was affected by the hydrothermal fluids involved in fault activity. Taking into account the fact that major, trace and rare earth elements were leached out from the precursor minerals, it is assumed that the element mobility was high during the first stage of the fault activity because the fracture zone is interpreted to have acted as a path of hydrothermal fluids. Moving toward the later stage of fault activity, the center of the fracture zone was transformed into the gouge zone during which the permeability in the fault zone gradually decreased with the formation of clay minerals. Consequently, elements were effectively constrained in the gouge zone mostly filled with authigenic minerals including clay minerals, characterized by the low element mobility.