• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.133-142
• /
• 2020

The evolution of the mining-induced fracture network formed during longwall top coal caving (LTCC) has a great influence on the gas drainage, roof control, top coal recovery ratio and engineering safety of aquifers. To reveal the evolution of the mining-induced stress and fracture network formed during LTCC, the fracture network in front of the working face was observed by borehole video experiments. A discrete element model was established by the universal discrete element code (UDEC) to explore the local stress distribution. The regression relationship between the fractal dimension of the fracture network and mining stress was established. The results revealed the following: (1) The mining disturbance had the most severe impact on the borehole depth range between approximately 10 m and 25 m. (2) The distribution of fractures was related to the lithology and its integrity. The coal seam was mainly microfractures, which formed a complex fracture network. The hard rock stratum was mainly included longitudinal cracks and separated fissures. (3) Through a numerical simulation, the stress distribution in front of the mining face and the development of the fracturing of the overlying rock were obtained. There was a quadratic relationship between the fractal dimension of the fractures and the mining stress. The results obtained herein will provide a reference for engineering projects under similar geological conditions.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.547-557
• /
• 2013

The mode II fracture toughness and strength due to shear stress are important parameters in the stability of caprock and injection zone with application to geological sequestration of carbon dioxide. In this research, a short beam compression test has been used to determine the shear strength and the mode II fracture toughness for Coconino sandstone. The average value of the shear strength and mode II fracture toughness are estimated to be 23.53 MPa and 1.58 MPa${\surd}$m respectively. The stress intensity factor is suggested by finite element analysis using the displacement extrapolation method. The effect of biaxial stress and water saturation on the fracture toughness has also been investigated. The fracture toughness increases with confining stresses, but decreases by 11.4% in fully saturated condition.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2008.10a
• /
• pp.1285-1289
• /
• 2008

Increasing the flood control capacity's link that is enforcing to existing dam by unusual change of weather, While build planing construction by exiting spillway of tunnel type to dam, could know that part bed rock is formed as is different with design. Grasped topography of research area and geology state to definite distribution aspect of different bed rock, Place that achieved Surface geological Survey and correct Survey is difficult in some section enforced Electrical resistivity dipole-dipole investigation. Grasped stratigraphy distribution confirmation and fracture or weathering zone making out siding 2D-Resistivity Electrical resistivity diagram and Reverse analysis diagram, examining closely soil weathered rock rock's distribution state, established stability countermeasure plan

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.613-624
• /
• 2022

A study of the evolution of overburden fractures under the solid-fluid coupling state was conducted based on the geological and mining characteristics of the coal seam depth, weak strata cementation, and high-intensity mining in the mining areas of West China. These mining characteristics are key to achieving water conservation during mining or establishing groundwater reservoirs in coal mines. Based on the engineering background of the Daliuta Coal Mine, a non-hydrophilic simulation material suitable for simulating the weakly cemented rock masses in this area was developed, and a physical simulation test was carried out using a water-sand gushing test system. The study explored the spatial distribution and dynamic evolution of the fractured zone in the mining overburden under the coupling of stress and seepage. The experimental results show that the mining overburden can be vertically divided into the overall migration zone, the fracture extension zone and the collapse zone; additionally, in the horizontal direction, the mining overburden can be divided into the primary fracture zone, periodic fracture zone, and stop-fracture zone. The scope of groundwater flow in the overburden gradually expands with the mining of coal seams. When a stable water inrush channel is formed, other areas no longer generate new channels, and the unstable water inrush channels gradually close. Finally, the primary fracture area becomes the main water inrush channel for coal mines. The numerical simulation results indicate that the overlying rock breaking above the middle of the mined-out area allows the formation of the water-conducting channel. The water body will flow into the fracture extension zone with the shortest path, resulting in the occurrence of water bursting accidents in the mining face. The experimental research results provide a theoretical basis for the implementation of water conservation mining or the establishment of groundwater reservoirs in western mining areas, and this theoretical basis has considerable application and promotion value.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this work is to gain a better understanding of the interrelationships between geological structures and slope failure in sedimentary rocks. In the studied slopes, construction-related slope failure could only be observed on the south-dipping slopes. This indicates that slope stability may be dependent on the angular relationships between the dip direction of bedding and the orientation of the slope. Slope failure continued, post-construction, around large fault zones in the studied outcrop; these fault damage zones are, however, not easily recognized in the field. Here we suggest a new method that uses accumulated fracture density to precisely identify fault damage zones. Multiple-faced slopes are now increasingly being exposed during large-scale construction projects in South Korea. This multiple-faced slope analysis indicates that the stability of a slope should be evaluated by identifying domains, through the analysis of possible slopes and their angular relationships with bedding and other discontinuities, prior to construction. Therefore, careful consideration of geological structures such as bedding and other discontinuities, and their angular relationships during the design of cuttings through sedimentary rocks, will increase the efficiency of construction and enable the safe construction of more stable slopes that will retain their stability after construction.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.306-319
• /
• 2020

Characterizations of Excavation Damage Zone (EDZ), which is hydro-mechanical degrading the host rock, are the important issues on the geological repository for the spent nuclear fuel. In the DECOVALEX 2019 project, Task G aimed to model the fractured rock numerically, describe the hydro-mechanical behavior of EDZ, and predict the change of the hydraulic factor during the lifetime of the geological repository. Task G prepared two-dimensional fractured rock model to compare the characteristics of each simulation tools in Work Package 1, validated the extended three-dimensional model using the TAS04 in-situ interference tests from Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory in Work Package 2, and applied the thermal and glacial loads to monitor the long-term hydro-mechanical response on the fractured rock in Work Package 3. Each modelling team adopted both Finite Element Method (FEM) and Discrete Element Method (DEM) to simulate the hydro-mechanical behavior of the fracture rock, and added the various approaches to describe the EDZ and fracture geometry which are appropriate to each simulation method. Therefore, this research can introduce a variety of numerical approaches and considerations to model the geological repository for the spent nuclear fuel in the crystalline fractured rock.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 1997.10a
• /
• pp.253-260
• /
• 1997

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.12-22
• /
• 2020

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is a promising water management strategy for securing stable water resources to overcome water shortage and water quality deterioration caused by global environmental changes. A MAR demonstration site was selected at Imgok-ri, Sangju-si, Korea, based on screening for the frequency of drought events and local water supply situations. The abundant groundwater discharging from a nearby abandoned coal mine is one of the potential recharge water sources for the MAR implementation. However, it has elevated levels of arsenic (~12 ㎍/L). In this study, the potential of the natural attenuation of arsenic by the field geological media was investigated using batch and column experiments. The adsorption and desorption parameters were obtained for two drill core samples (GM1; 21.8~22.8 m and GM2; 26.0~27.8 m depth) recovered from the potentially water-conducting fracture-zones in the injection well. The effluent arsenic concentrations were monitored during the continuous flow of the mine drainage water through the columns packed with the core samples. GM2 removed about 60% of arsenic in the influent (0.1 mg-As/L) while GM1 removed about 20%. The results suggest that natural attenuation is an acitive process occurring during the MAR operation, potentially lowering the arsenic level in the mine drainage water below the regulatory standard for drinking water. This study hence demonstrates that using the mine drainage water as the recharge water source is a viable option at the MAR demonstration site.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.517-523
• /
• 2007

Geophysical surveys(seismic refraction, electrical resistivity, and ground penetrating radar) were performed to delineate the weathering zone associated with vadose water in Chojeong area and investigate the fault related fracture zones. On the basis of seismic velocity structures, weathering layer for the southwestern part is interpreted to be deeper than for the northeastern part. The depth to bedrock(i.e., thickness of weathered zone) from seismic refraction data attempted to be correlated with drill-core data and groundwater level. As for the investigation of geological discontinuities such as fault related fracture zone, seismic refraction, electrical resistivity, and ground penetrating data are compositely employed in terms of velocity and resistivity structures for mapping of surface boundary of the discontinuities up to shallow depth. Surface boundaries of fracture zone are well indicated in seismic velocity and electrical resistivity structures. Accurate estimation of weathered zone and fracture zone can be successfully available for mapping of attitude of vadose water layer.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.45-52
• /
• 2005

Recent observations based on geological evidence and laboratory tests confirm that complex segmentation of hydraulic fractures is common phenomena. It is expected that the segmentation causes mechanical interaction between the fractures and affects fracture opening and measured net pressure. In this study, therefore, the opening of the fractures is computed using boundary collocation method to evaluate the mechanical interaction quantitatively. Also, improved boundary collocation method is suggested to evaluate the displacement of the fracture wall accurately and the reliability of this method is confirmed by comparing with that of the finite element method.