• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2003

For safety evaluation of a rockfill dam, it is often necessary to investigate spatial distribution and dynamic characterization of weak zones such as fractures. For this purpose, both seismic and electric methods are adopted together in this research. The former employs the multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) method, and aims at the mapping of 2-D shear-wave velocity (Vs) profile along the dam axis that can be associated with dynamic properties of filled materials. The latter is carried out by DC- resistivity survey with a main purpose of mapping of spatial variations of physical properties of dam materials. Results from both methods are compared in their signature of anomalous zones. In addition, downhole seismic survey was carried out at three points within the seismic survey lines and results by downhole seismic survey are compared with the MASW results. We conclude that the MASW is an efficient method for dynamic characterization of dam-filling materials, and also that joint analyses of these two seemingly unrelated methods can lead to an effective safety evaluation of rock-fill dam.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.563-569
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• 1994

Resistivity Image Profiling has been applied to a geological survey in the Keoje-do area. Survey lines are located near the KD-02 and KD-06 wells in the area, where we have already sampled all rock cores and carried out several kinds of geophysical logs. In each site a resistivity cross-section is obtained by inverting pole-pole apparent resistivities. Comparing the reconstructed resistivity section with the rock cores and logging data obtained in the well provides a detailed picture of subsurface geology. The geology of KD-02 site is composed of conglomerate, sandstone and shale with fractures. The reconstructed resistivity image is useful for assessing the grade of weathering of these rocks. The KD-06 site is mainly underlain by granitic rocks, and its fresh basement can be delineated by resistivities over $1000{\Omega}{\cdot}m$.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.16 no.3 s.62
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• pp.209-217
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• 2006

Literatures on the fracture mechanics and damaged zone of rocks were studied to estimate the excavation and blasting damaged zone for rapid tunneling. Fracture mechanics were applied to explain fracture mechanism and to estimate damaged zone and seemed to be applicable for controlling the fractures.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2017

In this paper, mode I fracture toughness of rock was determined by direct and indirect methods using Particle Flow Code simulation. Direct methods are compaction tension (CT) test and hollow centre cracked quadratic sample (HCCQS). Indirect methods are notched Brazilian disk (NBD) specimen, the semi-circular bend (SCB) specimen, hollow centre cracked disc (HCCD), the single edge-notched round bar in bending (SENRBB) specimen and edge notched disk (END). It was determined that which one of indirect fracture toughness values is close to direct one. For this purpose, initially calibration of PFC was undertaken with respect to data obtained from Brazilian laboratory tests to ensure the conformity of the simulated numerical models response. Furthermore, the simulated models in five introduced indirect tests were cross checked with the results from direct tests. By using numerical testing, the failure process was visually observed. Discrete element simulations demonstrated that the macro fractures in models are caused by microscopic tensile breakages on large numbers of bonded discs. Mode I fracture toughness of rock in direct test was less than other tests results. Fracture toughness resulted from semi-circular bend specimen test was close to direct test results. Therefore semi-circular bend specimen can be a proper test for determination of Mode I fracture toughness of rock in absence of direct test.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.43-53
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• 2006

Hydraulic fracturing is an important and abundant process in both industrial applications and natural environments. The formation of hydraulic fractures includes nucleation, growth, and termination in numerous rock types and stress regimes, at scales ranging from microns to many kilometers. As a result, fracture segmentation, commonly observed at all scales and in all geo-materials, contributes to this complexity in many ways. In particular, the mechanical interaction of fracture segments strongly affect almost all hydraulic fracturing processes. In this paper, the segmented fracture opening deformation in rock by hydraulic fracturing is quantified using boundary collocation method and is compared with non-interacting single fracture.

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

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.277-288
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• 1995

Fracture detection has always been very attractive to the log, because it is important in many of our prospecting activities, e.g. in understanding the underground rock formation and also the fluid flow as a high permeability path. This paper demonstrates the use of high resolution borehole acoustic scanner for the detection of fractures. The tool, known as Televiewer, is the first acoustic borehole imaging system to use a focussed beam. The acoustic beams generated by a single transducer are sent toward the borehole wall, scanning the wall in a tight helix as the tool moves along the borehole. The amplitudes and travel times of the reflected signals are then measured, which produces the corresponding images. The highly resolved amplitude image allows to recognize various size of fractures and in addition to derive the rock strength from the image. Meanwhile, the travel time image itself can be directly converted to a precise caliper image, providing detailed information of deviations of the borehole shape. It also allows correction of and explanations for amplitude variations. Field measurements were carried Out at the Cheongyang study sites in Korea to illustrate the efficiency of the televiewer log.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2016

For a successful accomplishment of Carbon Capture Sequestration (CCS) projects, appropriate injection conditions should be designed and optimized for site specific geological conditions. In this study, we evaluated the effect of injection conditions such as injection temperature and injection rate on the geomechanical stability of CCS system in terms of TOUGH-FLAC simulator, which is one of the well-known T-H-M coupled analysis methods. The stability of the storage system was assessed by a shear slip potential of the pre-existing fractures both in a reservoir and caprock, expressed by mobilized friction angle and Mohr stress circle. We demonstrated that no tensile fracturing was induced even in the cold CO2 injection, where the injected CO2 temperature is much lower than that of the reservoir and tensile thermal stress is generated, but shear slip of the fractures in the reservoir may occur. We also conducted a scenario analysis by varying injected CO2 volume per unit time, and found out that it was when the injection rate was decreasing in a step-wise that showed the least potential of a shear slip.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.157-171
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• 2019

The fracturing by liquid carbon dioxide ($LCO_2$) as a fracking fluid has been an alternative to mitigate the environmental issues often caused by the conventional hydraulic fracking since it facilitates the fluid permeation owing to its low viscosity. This study presents how $LCO_2$ injection influences the breakdown pressure, acoustic emission, and fracture morphology. Three fracturing fluids such as $LCO_2$, water, and oil are injected with different pressurization rate to the synthetic and porous mortar specimens. Also, the shale which has been a major target formation in conventional fracking practices is also tested to examine the failure characteristics. The results show that $LCO_2$ injection induces more tortuous and undulated fractures, and particularly the larger fractures are developed in cases of shale specimen. On the other hand, the relationship between the fracturing fluids and the breakdown pressure shows opposite tendency in the tests of mortar and shale specimens.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.219-230
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• 2022

The Geo-Reservoir Experimental Analogue Technology (GREAT) cell was designed to recreate the thermal-hydro-mechanical conditions of deep subsurface in the laboratory. This apparatus can generate a polyaxial stress field using lateral loading elements, which rotate around the longitudinal axis of a sample and is capable of performing a fluid flow test for samples containing fractures. In the present study, numerical simulations were carried out for triaxial compression tests using the GREAT cell and the mechanical behavior of samples under different conditions of lateral loading was investigated. We simulated an actual case, in which triaxial compression tests were conducted for a polymer sample without fractures, and compared the results between the numerical analysis and experiment. The surface strain (circumferential strain) of the sample was analyzed for equal and non-equal horizontal confining pressures. The results of the comparison showed a good consistency. Additionally, for synthetic cases with a fracture, we investigated the effect of the friction and type of fracture surface on the deformation behavior.