• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.6C
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• pp.275-284
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• 2012

The Antarctic continent exposed to strong wind, very low temperature, and extremely dry condition. The freezing-thawing cycles under this extreme environment change the mechanical characteristics of rocks near the ground surface. To investigate the effect of freezing-thawing cycles under the extreme environment understand on geotechnical properties of rocks, rocks from the Antarctica were collected from two places: (1) West Antarctic Cape Burks and (2) East Antarctic Terra Nova Bay areas. The rock characteristics of these two areas were described and compared. For Terra Nova Bay area, rock characteristics of rocks near the surface and depths exceeding 2.9 m were examined. The 'near-the-surface rocks' averages of absorption rate, P-wave velocity, and unconfined compressive strength were 0.56%, 3,717 m/s, and 109MPa, respectively; while, those values of 'deep-sited rocks' were 0.24%, 4,670 m/s, and 88MPa. From the measurements, it was found that the effects of weathering were not significant on mechanical characteristics (strength) but were pronounced on physical characteristics(absorption and P-wave velocity).

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.161-169
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• 2014

We present the results of an experimental physical weathering study that focuses on fresh and slightly weathered gneiss samples from the Wonju area of Korea. The study investigated changes in the physico-mechanical properties of these samples during accelerated laboratory-based weathering, including analyses of microfracture formation. The deteriorated samples used in the study were subjected to 100-150 freeze-thaw cycles, with index properties and microfracture geometries measured between each cycle. Each complete freeze-thaw cycle lasted 24 hours, and consisted of 2 hours of saturation in a vacuum chamber, 8 hours of freezing at $-21^{\circ}C{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, and 14 hours of thawing at room temperature. Specific gravity and seismic velocity values were negatively correlated with the number of freeze-thaw cycles, whereas absorption values tended to increase. The amount of deterioration of the rock samples was dependent on the degree of weathering of the rock prior to the start of the analysis. Absorption, specific gravity, and seismic velocity values can be used to infer the amount of physical weathering experienced by a gneiss in the study area. The sizes and density of microfracture in the rock specimens varied with the number of freeze-thaw cycles. We found that box fractal dimensions can be used to quantify the formation and propagation of microfracture in the samples. In addition, these box fractal dimensions can be used as a weathering index for the mid-and long-term prediction of rock weathering. The present results indicate that accelerated-weathering analysis can provide a detailed overview of the weathering characteristics of deteriorated rocks.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.201-206
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• 2006

Earth sciences is undergoing a gradual but massive shift from description of the earth and earth systems, toward process modeling, simulation, and process visualization. This shift is very challenging because the underlying physical and chemical processes are often nonlinear and coupled. In addition, we are especially challenged when the processes take place in strongly heterogeneous systems. An example is two-phase fluid flow in rocks, which is a nonlinear, coupled and time-dependent problem and occurs in complex porous media. To understand and simulate these complex processes, the knowledge of underlying pore-scale processes is essential. This paper presents a new attempt to use pore-scale simulations for understanding physical properties of rocks. A rigorous pore-scale simulator requires three important traits: reliability, efficiency, and ability to handle complex microstructures. We use the Lattice-Boltzmann (LB) method for singleand two-phase flow properties, finite-element methods (FEM) for elastic and electrical properties of rocks. These rigorous pore-scale simulators can significantly complement the physical laboratory, with several distinct advantages: (1) rigorous prediction of the physical properties, (2) interrelations among the different rock properties in a given pore geometry, and (3) simulation of dynamic problems, which describe coupled, nonlinear, transient and complex behavior of Earth systems.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.329-340
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• 2013

A geologic survey of the Bukpyeong and Pohang basins, as candidate basins for the geological storage of $CO_2$, was performed to evaluate storage capacity and security. To analyze the mechanical stability of the storage reservoir and cap rocks, we measured the porosity, seismic velocity, uniaxial strength, internal frictional angle, and Young's modulus of core samples recovered from the two basins. It is costly and sometimes impossible to conduct tests over the entire range of drill holes, and continuous logging data do not yield the mechanical parameters directly. In this study, to derive the mechanical properties of geologic formations from the geophysical logging data, we determined the empirical relations between the physical properties (seismic velocity, porosity, and dynamic modulus) and the mechanical properties (uniaxial strength, internal friction angle) of the core samples. From the comparison with our core test data, the best fits to the two basins were selected from the relations suggested in previous studies. The relations between uniaxial strength, Young's modulus, and porosity of samples from the Bukpyeong and Pohang basins are more consistent with certain rock types than with the locality of the basins. The relations between the physical and mechanical properties were used to estimate the mechanical rock properties of geologic formations from seismic logging data. We expect that the mechanical properties could also be used as input data for a modeling study to understand the mechanical instability of rock formations prior to $CO_2$ injection.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2000

When tunnels or underground structures are constructed in anisotropic rock mass, designers and constructors have to consider the anisotropic characteristics in rock mass because their physical and mechanical properties are depended on the anisotropic angles(${\beta}$). In this study, therefore, we have first investigated the mechanical behavior of the gneiss specimen from lab. tests, and then have analysed the behavior of specimens for to the transversely isotropic model in elastic medium using the FLAC program. The results of this study were summarized as follows; 1) In the result of the variation tests, in general, the properties of strength were depended on the angle of inclination in spite of the hard rock. And except for the shear strength test, the lowest and peak stress were appeared at 60$^{\circ}$ and 90$^{\circ}$respectively. 2) The results of specimen modeling analysis using FDM well indicated the mechanical behaviors of the specimen of transversely isotropic model.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.165-178
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• 2020

This paper investigates the effect of the jaw's curvature, also known by contact angle and jaw arc central angle (2α), of the Brazilian test apparatus on indirect tensile strength of various rock types. That's why, ten rock samples including limestone, marble, skarn, granite, diorite, and granodiorite were collected from some quarries in different provinces of Iran. Petrographic, mineralogical and textural investigations were performed using thin section analyses. Physical properties of the selected rock samples namely dry and saturated unit weights, porosity, water absorption, and specific gravity were determined for the rock samples. In addition, Brazilian tensile strength at different 2α angles (i.e., 2α = 0°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 45°, and 60°) were determined for the rocks in the laboratory. Results show that the parameter for the rocks is between 3.81 MPa at 2α=0° and 54.76 MPa at 2α=60°. This means that Brazilian tensile strength increased with increasing 2α angle from 0° to 60°. Also, it was found that the highest change rate of the Brazilian tensile strength occurs in range of 2α=15°-30° for most studied rock samples. In some tested samples, the parameter is decreased only at 2α = 60°. The values of Brazilian tensile strength of the rocks tested by flat and standard jaws are near to each other.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 2022

For effective preservation of the rocks, which bearing plant fossils at Gumkwangdong Formation, Pohang, the properties of rock and treatment of chemicals were examined in an artificial weathering test. The rocks are diatomaceous siliceous mudstone, which contain a small amount of smectite and has developed laminated layers. The rocks react with water, the d₀₀₁ spacing of smectite was increased. On the one hand, the physical properties of the rock samples, such as surface hardness, improved after the application of ethyl silicate-based stone strengthener. On the other hand, the spacing of interlayer of swelling clay minerals decreased and spacing of laminae layer increased. When the ethyl silicate-based stone strengthener was applied after pretreatment with a swelling inhibitor, interlayer and spacing of laminae changes were similar to those when only the stone strengthener was treated. The effect of the swelling inhibitor was almost negligible. When the rocks that have been conserved with chemicals react with water, spacing of laminae has widened much, whereas when the rocks was in contact with moisture only, there was little change. In addition, if it is placed in the outdoor after conservation treatment, although it occurs slightly slower than the untreated rock, the separation of the lamination layer and the pulverization of the rock occur within a very short time. Consolidation is required to improve the physical properties of fossil rock, but when exposed to rain and undergoing freeze-thaw process, the effect is lost very quickly. Therefore, regardless of the chemical treatment, it is a priority to prevent direct rainfall contact with the rock.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

Well logging technologies are used to measure the physical properties of reservoirs through boreholes. These technologies have been utilized to understand reservoir characteristics, such as porosity, fluid saturation, etc., using equations based on rock physics models. The analysis of well logs is performed by selecting a reliable rock physics model adequate for reservoir conditions or characteristics, comparing the results using the Archie's equation or simandoux method, and determining the most feasible reservoir properties. In this study, we developed a joint inversion algorithm to estimate physical properties in shaly sandstone reservoirs based on the pre-existing algorithm for sandstone reservoirs. For this purpose, we proposed a rock physics model with respect to shale volume, constructed the Jacobian matrix, and performed the sensitivity analysis for understanding the relationship between well-logging data and rock properties. The joint inversion algorithm was implemented by adopting the least-squares method using probabilistic approach. The developed algorithm was applied to the well-logging data obtained from the Colony gas sandstone reservoir. The results were compared with the simandox method and the joint inversion algorithms of sand stone reservoirs.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2008

Dokdo is a volcano edifice originating from an oceanic island that was formed around 3 million to 2.2 million years ago, and it consists of Dongdo(eastern island) and Seodo(western island). Even though Dokdo is a small volcanic island, Dokdo has infinite potential value and significant economic, social, scientific, and technical aspects due to its resources, ecological and territorial value. In addition, it is of national interest with regards to the dispute with Japan over the dominium of Dokdo. A need to evaluate the ground stability of Dokdo, especially in Dongdo, has been seriously raised recently due to the various cracks caused by the progressive weathering and corrosion. This study dealt with the geology and geological layers of Dokdo and identified the status of ground cracks as the previous research to evaluate the ground stability of zones of concern in Dongdo. Also, this study analyzed the relationships between physical and mechanical properties with rock types. The results showed that the values of rock properties in Dokdo are lower contrary to the general rocks in Korea, and tuff was especially affected by the weathering and corrosion.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.134-143
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• 1995

Effects of blasting vibrations on curing concrete have not been well studied. As a result, unreasonable and strong blasting vibration constraints have been placed on blasting when it occurs in the vicinity of curing concrete. To study the effects of blasting on curing concrete blocks of 33.3X27.7X16.2 cm were molded and placed on the quarry. Several sets of concrete blocks were subjected separately to peak vibrations of 0.25, 0.5. 1.0, 5.0, and 10cm/sec. The impulses of blasting vibrations were applied with thirty-minute intervals. Along with unvibrated concrete blocks, the vibrated concrete samples cored with 60.3 mm in diameter were measured for elastic moduli, sonic velocity and uniaxial compressive strength. Test results can be summarized as follows; 1. The blasting vibrations between 6 and 8 hours after pour generally lowered on the uniaxial compressive strength of the concrete. 2. A low blasting vibration of 0.25 cm/sec did not affect the uniaxial compressive strength. As the magnitude of the blasting vibration increases, compressive strength of concrete is decreased. 3. Physical properties of the P-wave velocity, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio showed a weakly decreasing trend in the concrete blocks vibrated between 6 and 8 hours after pour.