• Computers and Concrete
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.465-474
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• 2023

The point load test (PLT) is a widely-used alternative method in the field to determine the uniaxial compressive strength due to its simple testing machine and procedure. The point load test index can estimate the uniaxial compressive strength through conversion factors based on the rock types. However, the mechanism correlating these two parameters and the influence of the mechanical properties on PLT results are still not well understood. This study proposed a theoretical model to understand the mechanism of PLT serving as an alternative to the UCS test based on laboratory observation and literature survey. This model found that the point load test is a self-confined compression test. There is a compressive ellipsoid near the loading axis, whose dilation forms a tensile ring that provides confinement on this ellipsoid. The peak load of a point load test is linearly positive correlated to the tensile strength and negatively correlated to the Poisson ratio. The model was then verified using numerical and experimental approaches. In numerical verification, the PLT discs were simulated using flat-joint BPM of PFC3D to model the force distribution, crack propagation and BPM properties' effect with calibrated micro-parameters from laboratory UCS test and point load test of Berea sandstones. It further verified the mechanism experimentally by conducting a uniaxial compressive test, Brazilian test, and point load test on four different rocks. The findings from this study can explain the mechanism and improve the understanding of point load in determining uniaxial compressive strength.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.325-333
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• 2014

Hydraulic fracturing is the key technology for production of shale gas, which is one of the major unconventional resources. Brittleness index is one of the most important mechanical properties which determine the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing. It was required that the production of shale gas increases with more brittle behavior. Confusingly, there are numerous definitions available for brittleness of rock. This paper summarizes various definitions of brittleness index, and presents correlation analysis of the brittleness indices by using the laboratory experimental results of 48 shale specimens in Korea. Generally, it shows a very weak positive correlation between the brittleness index ($B_1$) which is the ratio of uniaxial compressive strength to tensile strength and the brittleness index ($B_3$) which is calculated by using the Youngs modulus and Poisson's ratio. In addition, the role of Poissons ratio is not clear in defining brittleness indices. In conclusion, standardization of definition for brittleness index is required to apply it to hydraulic fracturing as a parameter for predicting the efficiency.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.106-119
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• 2012

Roughness of rock joint has generally been characterized based upon geometrical aspects of a two-dimensional surface profile. The appropriate description of joint roughness, however, should consider the features of roughness mobilization at contact areas under normal and shear loads. In this study, direct shear tests were conducted on the replicas of tensile fractured gneiss joints and the influence of the shear direction on the shear behavior and effective roughness was examined. In this procedure, a joint surface was represented as a group of triangular planes, and the steepness of each plane was characterized using the concepts of the active and inactive micro-slope angles. The contact areas at peak strength which were estimated by a numerical method showed that the locations of the contact areas were mainly dependent on the distribution of the micro-slope angle and the shear behavior of joint was dominated by only the fractions with active micro-slope angles. Therefore, a three-dimensional coefficient for the quantification of rock joint roughness is proposed based on the distribution of active micro-slope angle: active roughness coefficient, $C_r$. Comparison of the active roughness coefficient and the peak shear strength obtained from the experiment suggests that the active roughness coefficient is the effective parameter to quantify the surface roughness and estimate the shear behavior of rock joint.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.593-609
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• 2021

We proposed a numerical method for the thermo-mechanical behavior of rock fracture using a grain-based distinct element model (GBDEM) and simulated thermally induced fracture slip. The present study is the benchmark simulation performed as part of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G, which aims to develop a numerical method to estimate the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes within the crystalline rock fracture network. We represented the rock sample as an assembly of Voronoi grains and calculated the interaction of the grains (blocks) and their interfaces (contacts) using a distinct element code, 3DEC. Based on an equivalent continuum approach, the micro-parameters of grains and contacts were determined to reproduce rock as an elastic material. Then, the behavior of the fracture embedded in the rock was characterized by the contacts with Coulomb shear strength and tensile strength. In the benchmark simulation, we quantitatively examined the effects of the boundary stress and thermal stress due to heat conduction on fracture behavior, focusing on the mechanism of thermally induced fracture slip. The simulation results showed that the developed numerical model reasonably reproduced the thermal expansion and thermal stress increment, the fracture stress and displacement and the effect of boundary condition. We expect the numerical model to be enhanced by continuing collaboration and interaction with other research teams of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G and validated in further study experiments.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.3 s.56
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• pp.223-227
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• 2005

The physical and mechanical properties of volcanic glass, which is distributed in the Samho area, South Korea were studied. Laboratory rock tests were carried out in order to obtain the various properties of rocks. Specific gravity, water content, absorption, porosity and wave velocity were measured for the physical properties. Uniaxial and triaxial compressive tests, Brazilian test and point load test were also performed for the mechanical properties. The tests of volcanic glass revealed that the apparent specific gravity, water content and absorption were 2.28, $1.67\%$ and $1.72\%$, respectively. Porosity $(3.87\%)$ was lower, whereas P-wave velocity (5330m/s) and S-wave velocity (2980 m/s) were relatively higher. Brazilian tensile strength ot 7.2MPa, and point load strength of 2.6MPa were among the mechanical properties of the rock. Uniaxial compressive strength (62.4MPa) estimated ken point load strength was very closed to the value (66.0MPa) from the uniaxial compressive test. Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio were E=43.2 GPa and v=0.28, respectively. Drawing the tangent line to Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion showed the cohesion of 20.1MPa and internal fraction angle of $28.6^{\circ}$.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.263-270
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• 2017

Hydraulic rock splitting is a technique which leads to failure of rockmass by means of water injection with a pressure higher than the tensile strength of rockmass, using straddle packer installed in boreholes drilled from free surface. Field tests were conducted in this study for several slopes of biotite granite according to various designs for borehole layout and water injection. Test results showed that new cracks were generated to connect to adjacent holes or that pre-existed cracks were propagated by injection, finally leading to failure. In particular, this study suggests the possibility of controlling the direction of generated cracks with guide slot, since new cracks were generated parallel to the guide slots carved on a borehole wall before injection. Various types of borehole layout and injection methods should be further developed for the practical uses, considering the factors influencing on crack generation.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.295-304
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• 2011

The first step in improving our understanding of uncertainties suclt as rock mass strength parameters and deformation modulus in rock masses around high-level radioactive waste disposal repositories, for improved safety, is to study the process of crack development in intact rock. Therefore, in this study, the fracture process and crack development were examined in samples of KURT granite taken from the KAERI Underground Research Tunnel (KURT), based on acoustic emission (AE) and moment tensor analysis. The results show that crack initiation, coalescence, and unstable crack occurred at rock uniaxial compressive strengths of 0.45, 0.73, and 0.84, respectively. In addition, moment tensor analysis indicated that during the early stage of loading, tensile cracks were predominant. With increasing applied stress, the number of shear cracks gradually increased. When the applied stress exceeded the stress level required for crack damage, unstable shear cracks which directly result in failure of the rock were generated along the failure plane.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.401-411
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• 2022

To obtain the dynamic mechanical properties, fracture modes, energy and brittleness characteristics of Furong Baijiao coal rock, the dynamic impact compression tests under 0, 4, 8 and 12 MPa confining pressure were carried out using the split Hopkinson pressure bar. The results show that failure mode of coal rock in uniaxial state is axial splitting failure, while it is mainly compression-shear failure with tensile failure in triaxial state. With strain rate and confining pressure increasing, compressive strength and peak strain increase, average fragmentation increases and fractal dimension decreases. Based on energy dissipation theory, the dissipated energy density of coal rock increases gradually with growing confining pressure, but it has little correlation with strain rate. Considering progressive destruction process of coal rock, damage variable was defined as the ratio of dissipated energy density to total absorbed energy density. The maximum damage rate was obtained by deriving damage variable to reflect its maximum failure severity, then a brittleness index BD was established based on the maximum damage rate. BD value declined gradually as confining pressure and strain rate increase, indicating the decrease of brittleness and destruction degree. When confining pressure rises to 12 MPa, brittleness index and average fragmentation gradually stabilize, which shows confining pressure growing cannot cause continuous damage. Finally, integrating dynamic deformation and destruction process of coal rock and according to its final failure characteristics under different confining pressures, BD value is used to classify the brittleness into four grades.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.145-160
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• 2016

Marble is a metamorphic rock used widely in construction which increases amount of marble powder obtained from it. Marble powder is a waste product obtained from marble during its processing. Marble waste is high in calcium oxide content which is cementing property but it creates many environmental hazards too if left in environment or in water. In this research, partial replacement of cement and sand by waste marble powder (WMP) has been investigated. Seven concrete mixtures were prepared for this investigation by partially replacing cement, sand with WMP at proportions of 0%, 10% and 15% by weight separately and in combined form. To determine compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength of concrete made with waste marble powder, the samples at the curing ages of 7, 28 and 90 days was recorded. Different tests of durability were applied on samples like ultrasonic pulse wave test, absorption and sorptivity. For further investigation all the results were compared and noticed that WMP has shown good results and enhancing mechanical properties of concrete mix on partially replacing with sand and cement in set proportions. Moreover, it will solve the problem of environmental health hazard.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.11b
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• pp.3-38
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• 2000

Slope draperies in soil and rock are a well known method to avoid rockfalls into the roads or onto housings. Common wire mesh or a combination of wire mesh and wire rope nets are pinned to the slope by the means of fully grouted nails or anchors. Most of these installations have not been designed to stabilize the slope, but simply avoid the rocks from bouncing. The combination of soil- or rocknailing with a designable flexible facing system offers the advantage of a longterm stabilization of slopes and can replace other standard methods for slope stabilization. The capability to transfer axial and shear loads from the flexible facing system to the anchor points is most decisive for the design of the stabilization system. But the transfer of forces by mesh as pure surface protection devices is limited on account of their tensile strength and above all also by the possible force transmission to the anchoring points. Strong wire rope nets increase the performance for slope stabilizations with greater distances between nails and anchors and are widely used in Europe. However, they are comparatively expensive in relation to the protected surface. Today, special processes enable the production of diagonally structured mesh from high-tensile steel wire. These mesh provide tensile strengths comparable to wire rope nets. The interaction of mesh and fastening to nail / anchor has been investigated in comprehensive laboratory tests. This also in an effort to find a suitable fastening plates which allows an optimal utilization of the strength of the mesh in tangential (slope-parallel) as well as in vertical direction (perpendicular to the slope). The trials also confirmed that these new mesh, in combination with suitable plates, enable substantial pretensioning of the system. Such pretensioning increases the efficiency of the protection system. This restricts deformations in the surface section of critical slopes which might otherwise cause slides and movements as a result of dilatation. Suitable dimensioning models permit to correctly dimension such systems. The new mesh with the adapted fastening elements have already been installed in first pilot projects in Switzerland and Germany and provide useful information on handling and effects.