• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.467-484
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• 2023

Despite the significant features of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCCs), including better mechanical, fractural, and durability performance, their high content of cement has restricted their use in the construction industry. Although ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is considered the main supplementary cementitious material, its slow pozzolanic reaction stands against its application. The addition of nano-sized mineral modifiers, including nano-silica (NS), is an alternative to address the drawbacks of using GGBFS. The main object of this empirical and numerical research is to examine the effect of NS on the strain-hardening behavior of cementitious composites; ten mixes were designed, and five levels of NS were considered. This study proposes a new method, using a four-point bending test to assess the use of nano-silica (NS) on the flexural behavior, first cracking strength, fracture energy, and micromechanical parameters including interfacial friction bond strength and maximum bridging stress. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used for monitoring the initiation and propagation of the cracks. In addition, to attain a deep comprehension of fiber/matrix interaction, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was used. It was discovered that using nano-silica (NS) in cementitious materials results in an enhancement in the matrix toughness, which prevents multiple cracking and, therefore, strain-hardening. In addition, adding NS enhanced the interfacial transition zone between matrix and fiber, leading to a higher interfacial friction bond strength, which helps multiple cracking in the composite due to the hydrophobic nature of polypropylene (PP) fibers. The findings of this research provide insight into finding the optimum percent of NS in which both ductility and high tensile strength of the composites would be satisfied. As a concluding remark, a new criterion is proposed, showing that the optimum value of nano-silica is 2%. The findings and proposed method of this study can facilitate the design and utilization of green cementitious composites in structures.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2020

In this study, a new analytical-numerical procedure is developed to give the stresses and strains around a circular tunnel in rock masses exhibiting different stress-strain behavior. The calculation starts from the tunnel wall and continues toward the unknown elastic-plastic boundary by a finite difference method in the annular discretized plastic zone. From the known stresses in the tunnel boundary, the strains are calculated using the elastic-plastic stiffness matrix in which three dimensional Hoek-Brown failure criterion (Jiang and Zhao 2015) and Mohr-Coulomb potential function with proper dilation angle (i.e., non-associated flow rule) are employed in terms of stress invariants. The illustrative examples give ground response curve and show correctness of the proposed approach. Finally, from the results of a great number of analyses, a simple relationship is presented to find out the closure of circular tunnel in terms of rock mass strength and tunnel depth. It can be valuable for the preliminary decision of tunnel support and for prediction of tunnel problems.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.303-316
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• 2023

With the development and utilization of urban underground space, the artificial ground freezing technology has been widely used in the construction of underground engineering in soft soil areas. The mechanical properties of soft clay changed greatly after freezing and thawing, which affected the seismic performance of underground structures. In this paper, a series of triaxial tests were carried out to study the dynamic response of the freezing-thawing clay under the seismic load considering different dynamic stress amplitudes and different confining pressures. The reduction factor of dynamic shear stress was determined to correct the amplitude of the seismic load. The deformation development mode, the stress-strain relationship and the energy dissipation behavior of the soft clay under the seismic load were analyzed. An empirical model for predicting accumulative plastic strain was proposed and validated considering the loading times, the confining pressures and the dynamic stress amplitudes. The relevant research results can provide a theoretical reference to the seismic design of underground structures in soft clay areas.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.141-155
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• 2018

Recently, the number of ground subsidence resulting from underground cavity has been increased. Accordingly, the importance of restoration of stress release zone around the underground cavity has been emphasized. The stress release zone is composed of low density soils having extremely low stiffness and degree of compaction, which can lead to additional cavity expansion and collapse of overlying ground. Therefore, in this study, the suitability of restoration method of underground cavity using expansive material for reinforcement of stress release zone around the cavity is verified. The basic physical properties and expansion characteristics of the expansive material were examined. The experiment equipment capable simulating of stress release zone was developed and is used to investigate the effect of expanding material on stress release zone. The stress release zone was simulated using the spring in numerical analysis. The factors of the volume ratio of the underground cavity to the expansion material, the degree of stress relaxation, and the shape of the cavity were varied in numerical simulations, and the behavior of stress release zone was analyzed based on the numerical analysis results. Analysis variables are factors that affect each other. Also, filling of underground cavity and capacity of restoration of stress release zone were confirmed when the expansive material was inserted into underground cavity.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 1996

A stress redistribution process in ground support system is mpdeled taking into consideration of load transfer mechanism of unbalanced load within shotcrete in a rock cavern constructed by NATM. The corresponding analysis model for ground support system is proposed and the elastic behavior of the shotcrete is studied. The effect on the support system due to variation of several design parameters is analysed with the proposed model. The suggested model yields considerably reduced maximum compressive stresses in shotcrete. Both the pressure coefficient in horizontal direction and the elastic modulus of rock mass govern overall responses, whereas the variation of the properties in support system shows a little difference in system responses. Interaction equations for evaluating safety factors for structural members are suggested. The result of this study can be used in the structural safety assessment of underground structures.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.179-188
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• 2002

This study is to understand the effect of the vibration and the stress changes due to the excavation of 2 arch parts of a tunnel, which is a Gyungbu Express Railway tunnel, on the tunnel itself and adjacent slopes in advance, and to analyze the stability. For the estimation of ground conditions, borehole tests, borehole camera logging and seismic logging were performed. Ground properties at a specific location were determined as input constants by performing 2 dimensional analyses with possible ranges of uncertain ground properties. Static and pseudo-static (due to blasting vibration) factors of safety were calculated. The behavior of the tunnel and its vicinity due to the tunnel excavation were predicted by 3 dimensional analyses. It was also tested whether the support system was proper.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.19-26
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• 2011

In order to estimate the viscous effects of clay over a wide range of strain levels, we confirmed the performance of a viscoelastic-viscoplastic constitutive model by simulating cyclic undrained triaxial tests to determine the cyclic strength and deformation characteristics of natural marine clay. The viscoelastic-viscoplastic constitutive model was then incorporated into an effective stress-based seismic response analysis to estimate the effects of an intermediate clay layer on the behavior of sand layers. Seismic response was simulated by the cyclic viscoelastic-viscoplastic constitutive model created with data recorded at Rokko Island, Kobe, Japan. The results show that a cyclic viscoelastic-viscoplastic constitutive model can provide a good description of dynamic behavior including viscoelastic effects, within a small strain range.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.199-207
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• 2006

Before getting to the actual study of the load distribution factor in various excavating methods, this research is preliminarily focused on the comparison of two different excavation methods, CD cut method and Ringcut method. Especially, the purpose of this research is to study the behavioral mechanism of two tunnels which share the same construction environment but different excavating method. Two numerical analysis models with the same tunnel section and material properties are compared in this study, and they are analyzed by 3D Finite Element Analysis. In each model, face stability, crown displacement, ground settlement, and shotcrete-lining stress are computed. Thus, the general behavior of CD cut method and Ringcut method are studied, and it certified what should be considered for the calculation of the load distribution factor.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2005.03a
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• pp.1324-1334
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• 2005

This study investigated the applicability of the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technique for prediction of tunnel behavior. For training data collection, a series of finite element analyses were conducted for actual tunnel project site. Using the data, optimimzed ANNs were developed through a sensitivity study on internal parameters. The developed ANNs can make tunneling related predictions such as tunnel crown settlement, shotcrete lining stress, ground surface settlement, and groundwater inflow rate. The results indicated that the developed ANNs can be used as an effective and efficient tool for tunnelling related prediction in practical tunneling situations.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.33 no.A
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• pp.73-80
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• 2013

This paper is results of numerical analysis on the behavior of colluvium slope with combinations of soil nails and earth anchors during excavation. In order to maintain the stability of the colluvium cut, being composed of gravel and boulder and thus local in stability being expected during slope cut, temporary reinforcing method of soil nailing with shotcrete might be used. Subsequent method of cast-in-place facing with earth anchors can be used to maintain cut slope stable permanently. For the cut slope where these methods had been applied, the numerical techniques were applied to their behaviors and investigate the stability of the slope. Limit equilibrium methods were used to confirm to maintain the slope stability during and after excavation and application of those reinforcing methods. Another numerical technique of FEM was also used to find the stress and strain as well as deformation distribution in reinforcing materials and slope ground during excavation.