• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 2018

Discontinuities considerably affect the mechanical and hydraulic properties of rock mass. These properties of the rock mass are influenced by the geometry of the discontinuities to a great extent. This paper aims to render an account of the geometrical parameters of several discontinuity sets related to the surrounding rock mass of Rudbar Lorestan Pumped Storage Power Plant powerhouse cavern making use of the linear and areal (circular and rectangular) sampling methods. Taking into consideration quite a large quantity of scanline and the window samplings used in this research, it was realized that the areal sampling methods are more time consuming and cost-effective than the linear methods. Having corrected the biases of the geometrical properties of the discontinuities, density (areal and volumetric) as well as the linear, areal and volumetric intensity accompanied by the other properties related to four sets of discontinuities were computed. There is an acceptable difference among the mean trace lengths measured using two linear and areal methods for the two joint sets. A 3D discrete fracture network generation code (3DFAM) has been developed to model the fracture network based on the mapped data. The code has been validated on the basis of numerous geometrical characteristics computed by use of the linear, areal sampling methods and volumetric method. Results of the linear sampling method have significant variations. So, the areal and volumetric methods are more efficient than the linear method and they are more appropriate for validation of 3D DFN (Discrete Fracture Network) codes.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2020

With the increasing number of underground projects, the problem of rock-water coupling catastrophe has increasingly become the focus of safety. Grouting reinforcement is gradually applied in subway, tunnel, bridge reinforcement, coal mine floor and other construction projects. At present, cement-based grouting materials are easy to shrink and have low strength after solidification. In order to overcome the special problems of high water pressure and high in-situ stress in deep part and improve the reinforcement effect. In view of the mining conditions of deep surrounding rock, a new type of cement-based reinforcement material was developed. We analyses the principle and main indexes of floor strengthening, and tests and optimizes the indexes and proportions of the two materials through laboratory tests. Then, observes and compares the microstructures of the optimized floor strengthening materials with those of the traditional strengthening materials through scanning electron microscopy. The test results show that 42.5 Portland cement-based grouting reinforcement material has the advantages of slight expansion, anti-dry-shrinkage, high compressive strength and high density when the water-cement ratio is 0.4, the content of bentonite is 4%, and the content of Nano Silica is 2.5%. The reinforcement effect is better than other traditional grouting reinforcement materials.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

In structures excavated in rock mass, load progressively increases to a level and remains constant during the construction. Rocks display different elastic properties such as E_i and ʋ under different loading conditions and this requires to use the true values of elastic properties for the design of safe structures in rock. Also, rocks will undergo horizontal and vertical deformations depending on the amount of load applied. However, under constant loads, values of E_i and ʋ will vary in time and induce variations in the behavior of the rock mass. In some empirical equations in which deformation modulus of the rock mass is taken into consideration, elastic parameters of intact rock become functions in the equation. Hence, the use of time dependent elastic properties determined under constant loading will yield more reliable results than when only constant elastic properties are used. As well known, rock material will play an important role in the deformation mechanism since the discontinuities will be closed due to the load. In this study, E_i and ʋ values of intact rocks were investigated under different constant loads for certain rocks with high deformation capabilities. The results indicated significant time dependent variations in elastic properties under constant loading conditions. E_i value obtained from deformability test was found to be higher than the E_i value obtained from the constant loading test. This implies that when static values of elastic properties are used, the material is defined as more elastic than the rock material itself. In fact, E_i and ʋ values embedded in empirical equations are not static. Hence, this workattempts to emerge a new understanding in designing of safer structures in rock mass by numerical methods. The use of time-dependent values of E_i and ʋ under different constant loads will yield more accurate results in numerical modeling analysis.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.191-202
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• 2010

The porosity (including the specific surface area and pore volume-diameter distribution) of montmorillonitic soft rock (MSR) was studied experimentally with an electrochemical treatment, based on which the change in porosity was further analyzed from the perspective of its electrokinetic potential (${\zeta}$ potential) and the isoelectric point of the electric double layer on the surface of the soft rock particles. The variation between the ${\zeta}$ potential and porosity was summarized, and used to demonstrate that the properties of softening, degradation in water, swelling, and disintegration of MSR can be modified by electrochemical treatment. The following conclusions were drawn. The specific surface area and total pore volume decreased, whereas the average pore diameter increased after electrochemical modification. The reduction in the specific surface area indicates a reduction in the dispersibility and swelling-shrinking of the clay minerals. After modification, the ${\zeta}$ potential of the soft rock was positive in the anodic zone, there was no isoelectric point, and the rock had lost its properties of softening, degradation in water, swelling, and disintegration. The ${\zeta}$ potential increased in the intermediate and cathodic zones, the isoelectric point was reduced or unchanged, and the rock properties are reduced. When the ${\zeta}$ potential is increased, the specific surface area and the total pore volume were reduced according to the negative exponent law, and the average pore diameter increased according to the exponent law.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2018

Annually, the global production of construction aggregates reaches over 40 billion tons, making aggregates the largest mining sector by volume and value. Currently, the aggregate industry is shifting from sand to hard rock as a result of legislation limiting the extraction of natural sands and gravels. A major implication of this change in the aggregate industry is the need for understanding rock fragmentation and energy absorption to produce more cost-effective aggregates. In this paper, we focused on incorporating dynamic rock and soil mechanics to understand the effects of loading rate and water saturation on the rock fragmentation and energy absorption of three different sandstones (Red, Berea and Buff) with different pore sizes. Rock core samples were prepared in accordance to the ASTM standards for compressive strength testing. Saturated and dry samples were subsequently prepared and fragmented via fast and dynamic compressive strength tests. The particle size distributions of the resulting fragments were subsequently analyzed using mechanical gradation tests. Our results indicate that the rock fragment size generally decreased with increasing loading rate and water content. In addition, the fragment sizes in the larger pore size sample (Buff sandstone) were relatively smaller those in the smaller pore size sample (Red sandstone). Notably, energy absorption decreased with increased loading rate, water content and rock pore size. These results support the conclusion that rock fragment size is positively correlated with the energy absorption of rocks. In addition, the rock fragment size increases as the energy absorption increases. Thus, our data provide insightful information for improving cost-effective aggregate production methods.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.515-525
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• 2019

A karst collapse, as a natural hazard, is totally different to a normal collapse. In recent years, karst collapses have caused substantial economic losses and even threatened human safety. A risk assessment model for karst collapse was developed based on the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and grey relational analysis (GRA), which is a simple and effective mathematical algorithm. An evaluation index played an important role in the process of completing the risk assessment model. In this study, the proposed model was applied to Jiaobai village in southwest China. First, the main controlling factors were summarized as an evaluation index of the model based on an investigation and statistical analysis of the natural formation law of karst collapse. Second, the FAHP was used to determine the relative weights and GRA was used to calculate the grey relational coefficient among the indices. Finally, the relational sequence of evaluation objects was established by calculating the grey weighted relational degree. According to the maximum relational rule, the greater the relational degree the better the relational degree with the hierarchy set. The results showed that the model accurately simulated the field condition. It is also demonstrated the contribution of various control factors to the process of karst collapse and the degree of collapse in the study area.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.339-352
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• 2019

Rockmass parameters are used in the design of engineering structures built in rock and soil. One of the most important of these parameters is the rockmass Emass (Emass). Determination of the Emass of rockmass is a long, hard and expensive job. Therefore, empirical formulas developed by different researchers are used. These formulas use the elastic modulus of the material as a parameter. This value is a constant value in the design. However, engineering structures remain under different loads depending on many factors, such as topography, geometry of the structure, rock / soil properties. Time is other important parameter for rock/soil structure. With the start of the excavation, the loads that the structure is exposed to will change and remain constant at one level. In the new proposed method, the use of different Emass calculated from empirical formulas using the different material elastic modulus, which has different values under different loads as time dependent, was investigated in rock/soil structures during design. The performance of the stability analysis using different deformation modules was questioned by numerical modeling method. For this query, a sub-routine which can be integrated into the numerical modeling software has been developed. The integrated sub-routine contains the formula for the Emass, which is calculated from the material elasticity modules under time dependent and different constant loads in the laboratory. As a result of investigations conducted in 12 different field studies, the new proposed method is very sensitive.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.537-550
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• 2021

There are various technical problems need to be solved in the construction process of pre-setting an isolation wall into a double lane in the outburst prone mine. This study presents a methodology that pre-setting an isolation wall into a double lane without a coal pillar. This requires the excavation of two small section roadways to dig a wide section roadway, followed by construction of the separation wall. During this process the connecting lane is reserved. In order to ensure the stability of the separation wall, the required bearing capacity of the isolation wall is 4.66 MN/m and the deformation of the isolation wall is approximately 25 cm. To reduce the difficulty of implementing support the roadway is driven by 5 m/d. After the construction of the separation wall, the left side coal wall is brushed 1.5 m to make the width of the gas roadway reach 2.5 m and the roadway support utilizes anchor rod, ladder beam, anchor cable beam and net configuration. During construction, the concrete pump and removable self-propelled hydraulic wall mold are used to pump and pour the concrete of the isolation wall. In the process of mining, the stress distribution of coal body and isolation wall is detected and measured on site. The results demonstrate that the deformation of the surrounding rock of roadway and separation of roof in the roadway is small. The stress of the bolt and anchor cable is within equipment tolerance validating their selection. The roadway is well supported and the intended goal is achieved. The methodology can be used for reference for similar mine gas control.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.503-515
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• 2022

The permeability coefficient is an essential parameter for the study of seepage flow in fractured rock mass. This paper discusses the feasibility and application value of using readily available RQD (rock quality index) data to estimate mine water inflow and grouting quantity. Firstly, the influence of different fracture frequencies on permeability in a unit area was explored by combining numerical simulation and experiment, and the relationship between fracture frequencies and pressure and flow velocity at the monitoring point in fractured rock mass was obtained. Then, the stochastic function generation program was used to establish the flow analysis model in fractured rock mass to explore the relationship between flow velocity, pressure and analyze the universal law between fracture frequency and permeability. The concepts of fracture width and connectivity are introduced to modify the permeability calculation formula and grouting formula. Finally, based on the on-site grouting water control example, the rock mass quality index is used to estimate the mine water inflow and the grouting quantity. The results show that it is feasible to estimate the fracture frequency and then calculate the permeability coefficient by RQD. The relationship between fracture frequency and RQD is in accordance with exponential function, and the relationship between structure surface frequency and permeability is also in accordance with exponential function. The calculation results are in good agreement with the field monitoring results, which verifies the rationality of the calculation method. The relationship between the rock mass RQD index and the rock mass permeability established in this paper can be used to invert the mechanical parameters of the rock mass or to judge the permeability and safety of the rock mass by using the mechanical parameters of the rock mass, which is of great significance to the prediction of mine water inflow and the safety evaluation of water inrush disaster management.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.471-486
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• 2022

The effect of segmental joints is one of main importance for the segmental lining design when tunnels are excavated by a mechanized process. In this paper, segmental tunnel linings are analyzed by two numerical methods, namely the Beam-Spring Method (BSM) and the Solid-Interface Method (SIM). For this purpose, the Tehran Subway Line 6 Tunnel is considered to be the reference case. Comprehensive 2D numerical simulations are performed considering the soil's calibrated plastic hardening model (PH). Also, an advanced 3D numerical model was used to obtain the stress relaxation value. The SIM numerical model is conducted to calculate the average rotational stiffness of the longitudinal joints considering the joints bending moment distribution and joints openings. Then, based on the BSM, a sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the influence of the ground rigidity, depth to diameter ratios, slippage between the segment and ground, segment thickness, number of segments and pattern of joints. The findings indicate that when the longitudinal joints are flexible, the soil-segment interaction effect is significant. The joint rotational stiffness effect becomes remarkable with increasing the segment thickness, segment number, and tunnel depth. The pattern of longitudinal joints, in addition to the joint stiffness ratio and number of segments, also depends on the placement of longitudinal joints of the key segment in the tunnel crown (similar to patterns B and B').