• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.1089-1094
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• 2004

Numerical methods to estimate behaviors of jointed rock mass can be roughly divided into two method : discontinuous model and continuum model. Generally, distinct element method (DEM) is applied in discontinuous model, and finite element method (FEM) or finite difference method (FDM) is utilized in continuum model. To predict a behavior of discontinuous model by DEM, it is essential to understand characteristics of joints developed in rock mass through field tests. However, results of field tests can not provide full information about rock mass because field tests is conducted in limited area. In this paper, discontinuous analysis by UDEC and continuous analysis by FLAC is utilized to estimate a behavior of a tunnel in jointed rock mass. For including discontinuous analysis in continuous analysis, joints in rock mass is considered by reducing rock mass properties obtained by RMR and decreasing shear strength of rock mass. By comparing and revising two analysis results, analysis results similar with practical behavior of a tunnel can be induced and appropriate support system is decided.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.82-86
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• 2005

Numerical methods to estimate behaviors of jointed rock mass can be roughly divided into two methods : continuous and discontinuous model. Generally, distinct element method(DEM) is applied in discontinuous model, and finite element method(FDM) or finite difference method(FDM) is utilized in continuum model. To predict a behavior of discontinuous model by DEM, it is essential to understand characteristics of joints developed in rock mass through field tests. However, results of field tests can not provide full information about rock mass because field tests are conducted in limited area. In this paper, discontinuous analysis by UDEC and continuous analysis by FLAC are utilized to estimate a behavior of a tunnel in jointed rock mass. For including discontinuous analysis in continuous analysis, joints in rock mass is considered by reducing rock mass properties obtained by RMR and decreasing shear strength of rock mass. By comparing and revising two analysis results, analysis results similar with practical behavior of a tunnel can be induced and appropriate support system is decided.

• 한국터널공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.348-358
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• 2005

Although the evaluation of the mechanical properties and behavior of discontinuous rock masses is very important for the design of underground openings, it has always been considered the most difficult problem. One of the difficulties in describing the rock mass behavior is assigning the appropriate constitutive model. This limitation may be overcome with the progress in discrete element software such as PFC, which does not need the user to prescribe a constitutive model for rock mass. Instead, the micro-scale properties of the intact rock and joints are defined and the macro-scale response results from those properties and the geometry of the problem. In this paper, a $30m{\times}30m{\times}30m$ jointed rock mass of road tunnel site was analyzed. A discrete fracture network was developed from the joint geometry obtained from core logging and surface survey. Using the discontinuities geometry from the DFN model, PFC simulations were carried out, starting with the intact rock and systematically adding the joints and the stress-strain response was recorded for each case. With the stress-strain response curves, the mechanical properties of discontinuous rock masses were determined and compared to the results of empirical methods such as RMR, Q and GSI. The values of Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and peak strength are almost similar from PFC model and Empirical methods. As expected, the presence of joints had a pronounced effect on mechanical properties of the rock mass. More importantly, the mechanical response of the PFC model was not determined by a user specified constitutive model.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.257-268
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• 2005

In situ rock mass is generally heterogeneous and discontinuous, with varying degrees of strength along the planes of weakness. The planes of weakness such as joints, faults, cracks and bedding planes, control the strength and deformation characteristics of the rock mass. Subsequently, the stability of underground opening depends upon the spatial distribution of discontinuities and their mechanical properties in relation with geometrical shape of openins as well as the mechanical properties of intact rock materials. Understanding the behaviour of a discontinuous rock mass remains a key issue for improving excavation design in hiかy stressed environments. Although recent advances in rock mechanics have provided guidelines for the design of underground opening in isotropic rock mass, prediction and control of deformation in discontinuous rock masses are still unclear. In this study, parametric study was performed to investigate the plastic zone size, stress distribution and deformation behavior around underground opening in a discontinuous rock mass using a continuum joint model. The solutions were obtained by an elasto-plastic finite difference analysis, employing the Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria. Non-associated flow rule and perfectly plastic material behavior are also assumed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2000.09a
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• pp.129-137
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• 2000

This paper presents groundwater flow characteristics in discontinuous rock mass using fracture network program(NAPSAC) by statistical approach. Equivalent permeability coefficients are estimated from borehole data around Mabuk test tunnel site and fracture map on the arch of the tunnel. The reliability of fracture network model is obtained from determination of input data for statistical fracture network analysis from the real data(data of fracture network, data of hydraulic tests). The variation of permeability and mean anisotropic permeability coefficients are calculated from the realized model by increasing the size. As a result of analysis, a strong anisotropy of permeability is observed according to the direction of the fracture sets around the test tunnel.

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.143-154
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• 1997

Astochastic finite element model which reflects both the effect of discontinuities and the uncertainty of material properties in underground rock mass has been developed. Latin Hypercube Sampling technique has been mobilized and compared with the Monte Carlo simulation method. To consider the effect of discontinuities, the joint finite element model, which is known to be suitable to explain faults, cleavage, things of that nature, has been used in this study. To reflect the uncertainty of material properties, multi-random variables are assumed as the joint normal stiffness and the joint shear stiffness, which could be simulated in terms of normal distribution. The developed computer program in this study has been verified by practical example and has been applied to analyze the circular cavern with discontinuous rock mass.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.378-386
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• 2000

This paper presents groundwater flow characteristics in discontinuous rock mass using fracture network program(NAPSAC) by statistical approach. Equivalent permeability coefficients are estimated from borehole data around Mabuk test tunnel site and fracture map on the arch of the tunnel. The reliability of fracture network model is obtained from determination of input data for statistical fracture network analysis from the real data(data of fracture network, data of hydraulic tests). The variation of permeability and mean anisotropic permeability coefficients are calculated from the realized model by increasing the size. As a result of analysis, a strong anisotropy of permeability is observed according to the direction of the fracture sets around the test tunnel.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2009

Large scale model tests and numerical analyses were performed in order to investigate the stress distribution on the base of pillar during two-arch tunnel excavation in the regularly jointed rocks. It was observed that the stress was irregularly distributed on pillar and the angle of discontinuities seriously influenced on the stress distribution on the pillar base in the discontinuous rock mass. In the numerical analyses results, It was shown that the stress level of pillar was greatly changed depending on the excavation sequences of two-arch tunnel. It was also observed that stress distributed eccentrically at the pillar as well as at the base of pillar. It is necessary to consider this point for the design of two-arch tunnel.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.421-430
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• 2008

In discontinuous rock masses, hydraulic-mechanical coupled analyses are required since groundwater flow in joints have a great influence on the stability of a subsea tunnel. In this study, a sensitivity analysis was performed based on coupled analysis to verify the routine which can estimate the safety factor of a tunnel in discontinuous rock mass. To this end, 324 cases of numerical calculations were performed with a commercial program, UDEC-2D. As a result, it was confirmed that the proposed routine for coupled analysis in discontinuous rock mass could give a reasonable result for the estimation of safety factor of a tunnel. Therefore, it is expected that the safety factor estimation method used in this study can be effectively applied for the stability estimation of a subsea tunnel in discontinuous rock masses.

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