• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.396-408
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• 2016

Rock fracture mechanics has been widely applied to various fields of rock and civil engineering. But most researches covered mode I behavior, though mode II behavior is dominant in rock engineering. Until now, there is only one ISRM suggested method for mode II toughness of rock. A new SCC (Short Core in Compression) mode II toughness test method was developed considering 1) application of confining pressure, 2) easiness of notch creation, 3) utilization of existing equipment, 4) simple test procedure. The stress intensity factors were determined by 3D finite element method considering line and distributed loading conditions. The tests with granite specimens were carried out using MTS 815 rock test system with a loading rate of 0.002 mm/s. The mean value of mode II fracture toughness of granite showed $2.33MPa{\sqrt{m}}$. Mode I toughness of the same granite was $1.12MPa{\sqrt{m}}$, determined by Brazilian disk test and $K_{IIC}/K_{IC}=2.08$. The smooth fracture surface with rock powder formation also supported mode II behavior of SCC method. The SCC method can be used for the determination of mode II fracture toughness of rocks based on the current results.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.232-246
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• 2018

In this study, the relationship between in situ seismic wave velocities and RMR (rock mass rating) was investigated in a test bed for the examination of the basis of rock classification (RMR) based on seismic wave velocity. The seismic wave velocity showed a monotonous increase with depth. It was also found that there was no systematic correlation between the seismic wave velocity (Vp) and other parameters (RQD, joint spacing, UCS, rock core Vp, and RMR) collected at the same depth of the same borehole. However, correlative relation was observed among RMR, RQD, and joint spacing. On the other hand, when all the data in the borehole (three holes) are examined without considering the depth, Vp still shows no correlation with RMR parameters (e.g., correlative coefficient for uniaxial compressive strength and joint spacing are 0.039 and 0.091, respectively), but Vp shows weak correlative relation with RMR and RQD (correlative coefficient for RQD and RMR are 0.193 and 0.211, respectively). Thus, it is found that it is difficult to deduce physical properties of rock mass directly from seismic wave velocities, but the seismic wave velocity can be used as a tool to approximate rock mass properties because of weaker correlation between Vp and RMR with RQD. In addition, the velocity value of for soft and moderate rocks suggested by widely used construction standards is slower than that of the observed velocity, implying that the standards need to be examined and revised.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2001

Up to now single large cavern was excavated for each undergroud hydraulic powerhouse in Korea. But the Yangyang underground hydraulic powerhouse consists of two large caverns; a powerhouse cavern and main transformer cavern. In this carte, the structural stability of the caverns, especially the rock pillar formed between two large caverns, should be guaranteed to be sound to make the caverns permanently sustainable. In this research, the Distinct Element Method(DEM) was used to analyze the structural stability of two caverns and the rock pillar. The Barton-Bandis joint model was used as a constitutive model. The moot significant parameters such as in-site stress, JRC of in-situ natural joints, and spatial distribution characteristics of discontinuities were acquired through field investigation. In addition, two different cases; 1) with no support system and 2) with a support system, were analysed to optimize a support system and to investigate reinforcing effects of a support system. The results of analysis horizontal displacement and joint shear displacement proved to be reduced with the support system. The relaxed zone in the rock pilar also proved to be reduced in conjunction with the support system. Having a support system in place provided the fact that the non zero minimum principal stresses were still acting in the rock pillar so that the pillar was not under uniaxial compressive condition but under triaxial compressive condition. The structural stability f an approximately 36 m wide rock pillar between two large caverns was assured with the appropriate support system.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.89-102
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• 2004

The generated blasting pressure wave initiated under decoupled-charge condition is a function of peak blasting pressure, rise time, and wave-shape function. The peak blasting pressure and the rise time are also the function of explosive and rock properties. The probabilistic distributions of explosive and rock properties are derived from the results of their property tests. Since the probabilistic distributions of explosive and rock properties displayed a normal distribution, the peak blasting pressure and the rise time can also be regarded as a normal distribution. Parameter analysis and uncertainty analysis were performed to identify the most influential parameter that affects the peak blasting pressure and the rise time. Even though the explosive properties were found to be the most influential parameters on the peak blasting pressure and the rise time from the parameter analyses, the result of uncertainty analysis showed that rock properties constituted major uncertainties in estimating the peak blasting pressure and the rise time rather than explosive properties. Damage and overbreak of the remaining rock around the excavation line induced by blasting were evaluated by dynamic numerical analysis. A user-subroutine to estimate the rock damage was coded based on the continuum damage mechanics. This subroutine was linked to a commercial program called 'ABAQUS/Explicit'. The results of dynamic numerical analysis showed that the rock damages generated by the initiation of stopping hole were larger than those from the initiation of contour hole. Several methods to minimize those damages were proposed such as relocation of stopping hole, detailed subdivision of rock classification, and so on. It was found that fracture probability criteria and fractured zones could be distinctively identified by applying fuzzy-random probability.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.284-292
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• 2015

The generalized Hoek-Brown failure criterion, the strength parameters of which are determined by using the GSI index, is an empirical nonlinear failure criterion of rock mass and has been widely employed in various rock engineering practices. Many rock engineering practitioners, however, are still familiar with the description of the strength of rock mass in terms of friction angle and cohesion. In addition, almost all rock mechanics softwares incorporate the simple linear Mohr-Coulomb function. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a tool to implement the Hoek-Brown function in the framework of the Mohr-Coulomb criterion. In this study, the use of upper-bound solution of limit analysis for bearing capacity of a strip footing resting on the ground surface is proposed for the estimation of the equivalent friction angle and cohesion of rock mass incorporating the generalized Hoek-Brown failure criterion. The upper-bound bearing capacity is expressed in terms of friction angle by use of the relationship between tangential friction angle and tangential cohesion implied in the generalized Hoek-Brown function. The friction angle minimizing the upper-bound bearing capacity is taken as the equivalent friction angle. Through the illustrative implementations of the proposed method, the influences of GSI, $m_i$ and D on the equivalent friction angle and cohesion are investigated.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.276-283
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• 2012

Changes in rock properties due to freezing and thawing cycles ranging from $-20^{\circ}C$ to $10^{\circ}C$ were checked for the typical Korean rocks: granite (weathered), limestone, sandstone, tuff, shale and basalt. The porosity, seismic velocity, shore hardness and specific gravity were measured every 10 cycles for each type of rock up to 40 cycles. The specific gravity was rarely changed. Granite (w), shale and basalt decreased gradually in their shore hardness and seismic velocity values, these values for limestone, sandstone and tuff changed only a very little. The porosity increased in the granite (w), shale and basalt, whereas in the others it did not change. Due to the low tensile strength with high porosity, granite (w), shale and basalt were susceptible to the F-T cycles. A linear regression equation was calculated based on the experiment results according to properties and types of rock. The relationship between the freeze-thaw sensitivity (=initial porosity/initial tensile strength) and the coefficients of the regression equation was examined. With additional experimental data, the coefficients of the regression equation can be estimated using the F-T sensitivity. This makes it possible to predict the properties of rock as affected by freeze-thaw weathering by only measuring the initial properties without knowledge of the regression equation coefficients for each type of rock.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2010

This study is to consider applicability of spiral bolt strain gauge as an instrument measuring behavior of soft ground foundation and rock slope. When the instrument was installed on the ground, it can be useful to identify the state of ground behavior because it has the characteristics of flexibility, as well as to apply the ground reinforcement because it has higher pull-out resistance to the ground. From the measurement of behavior to soft ground foundation, the strain shows a stable state in the beginning, then was observed significant change in the upper and the middle of spiral bolt strain gauge after 400 days. This is analyzed that ground loosening, which is due to occurred frequent earthquake of magnitude 1~2 with increased rainfall, lead to the instability of the ground. From the measurement of behavior to rock slope, the strain shows a stable state with very little change in a period of 0~50 days and the biggest strain at 4.2 m (P6) in a period of 50~100 days, then other places except P6 was maintained at a stable state in a period of 100~160 days. The reason is analyzed because that blasting for excavated limestone surrounding was affected to the largest at P6. However, based on the size of strain change by behavior of the soft ground foundation and rock slope, it is considered that the present condition are not effected on stability of retaining structure and rock slope. In conclusion, the proposed spiral bolt strain gauge can be useful to measure behavior of soft ground foundation and rock slope, and also to be measured behavior as well as reinforcement of the target ground.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.573-590
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• 2020

This study presents the current status of DECOVALEX-2023 project Task G and our research results so far. Task G, named 'Safety ImplicAtions of Fluid Flow, Shear, Thermal and Reaction Processes within Crystalline Rock Fracture NETworks (SAFENET)' aims at developing a numerical method to simulate the fracture creation and propagation, and the coupled thermohydro-mechanical processes in fracture in crystalline rocks. The first research step of Task G is a benchmark simulation, which is designed for research teams to make their modelling codes more robust and verify whether the models can represent an analytical solution for displacements of a single rock fracture. We reproduced the mechanical behavior of rock and embedded single fracture using a three-dimensional grain-based distinct element model for the simulations. In this method, the structure of the rock was represented by an assembly of rigid tetrahedral grains moving independently of each other, and the mechanical interactions at the grains and their contacts were calculated using 3DEC. The simulation results revealed that the stresses induced along the embedded fracture in the model were relatively low compared to those calculated by stress analysis due to stress redistribution and constrained fracture displacements. The fracture normal and shear displacements of the numerical model showed good agreement with the analytical solutions. The numerical model will be enhanced by continuing collaboration and interaction with other research teams of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G and validated using various experiments in a further study.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.414-424
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• 2023

In this study, a total of 326 data on a variety of geometric parameters of pick cutters and the corresponding cuttable rock conditions were collected and built as a database. Statistical analysis of the database showed that there is a significant positive correlation between the parameters that define the geometry of a pick cutter, especially between the parameters related to the length of a pick cutter and the geometry of a tungsten carbide insert. The diameter of a pick cutter shaft was also strongly correlated with the geometry of the inserts. On the other hand, it was difficult to find a clear correlation between the parameters for the rock conditions defined by the four conditions and the geometric parameters of pick cutters, which may be due to the uncertainty of the rock mass and the fact that the application of a pick cutter is presented as a range rather than a numerical single value. However, the mean values of geometric parameters of pick cutters tend to increase as a rock mass becomes harder. However, the pick length parameters are found to decrease as a rock mass becomes harder, which may be a way to reduce the moments that can occur when using long pick cutters in a hard rock condition.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.101-109
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• 2010

There are many slopes generally developed by excavation and cut slope with small steps on massive slopes of roads. Especially these cut slopes which excavating around fault fracture zone need a reinforcement technology in order to ensure safety. In the case of slope excavation, it is difficult to use the existing slope support at fracture zone because of geological characteristics. Especially the factor of safety decreases significantly due to the movement of blocks in bed rocks and the expansion of interspace of discontinuous planes in fractured zones caused by excavation. Thus an efficient reinforcement technique in accordance with geological properties of fracture zones needs to be developed because the existing slope support has a restricted application. Therefore it is necessary to develop the specialized rock bolt technique in order to ensure an efficient factor of safety for anomalous fracture zones in slopes and tunnels. The purpose of this study is to develop newly improved rock bolt to increase a supporting effect of the swellex bolt method used recently as a friction type in fracture zones.