• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.16 no.6 s.65
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• pp.476-485
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• 2006

During blasting, both shock wave and gas are generated in detonation process of explosives and the generated wave and gas expansion may create new fractures and damage rock mass. In order to explain and understand completely the fracture mechanism by blasting, we have to consider both effects of the wave and gas expansion simultaneously. In this study, we use a discrete element code, PFC2D and develop an algorithm which is capable of modeling both detonation and gas pressures acting on blasthole wall and visualizing generated cracks within rock mass. Moreover, the gas-pressure modeling method which applies a corresponding external force of gas pressure to parent particles of radial fractures is adopted to simulate a coopting between rock mass and gas penetrating created radial fractures. The developed algorithm is verified by reproducing numerical simulations of a lab-scale test blast successfully.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.643-662
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• 2018

One of the methods for investigation of mechanical behavior of materials is numerical simulation. For simulation, its need to model behavior is close to real condition. PFC is one of the rock mechanics software that needs calibration for models simulation. The calibration was performed based on simulation of unconfined compression test and Brazilian test. Indeed the micro parameter of models change so that the UCS and Brazilian test results in numerical simulation be close to experimental one. In this paper, the effect of four micro parameters has been investigated on the uniaxial compression test and Brazilian test. These micro parameters are friction angle, Accumulation factor, expansion coefficient and disc distance. The results show that these micro parameters affect the failure pattern in UCS and Brazilian test. Also compressive strength and tensile strength are controlled by failure pattern.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.69 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2019

In this research, the effect of bedding layer on the tensile failure mechanism of rocks has been investigated using PFC2D. For this purpose, firstly calibration of PFC2d was performed using Brazilian tensile strength. Secondly Brazilian test was performed on the bedding layer. Thickness of layers were 5 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm. in each thickness layer, layer angles changes from $0^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ with increment of $15^{\circ}$. Totally, 21 model were simulated and tested by loading rate of 0.016 mm/s. The results show that when layer angle is less than 15, tensile cracks initiates between the layers and propagate till coalesce with model boundary. Its trace is too high. With increasing the layer angle, less layer mobilizes in failure process. Also, the failure trace is very short. It's to be noted that number of cracks decrease with increasing the layer thickness. Also, Brazilian tensile strength is minimum when bedding layer angle is between $45^{\circ}$ and $75^{\circ}$. The maximum one is related to layer angle of $90^{\circ}$.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.54-68
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• 2004

In this study, scaled model tests were performed on blasting demolition of reinforced concrete structures and the experimental results were analyzed in comparison with the results of numerical analysis. The tests were designed to induce a progressive collapse, and physical properties of the scaled model were determined using scale factors obtained ken dimension analysis. The scaled model structure was made of a mixture of plaster, sand and water at the ratio determined to yield the best scaled-down strength. Lead wire was used as a substitute for reinforcing bars. The scaled length was at the ratio of 1/10. Selecting the material and scaled factors was aimed at obtaining appropriately scaled-down strength. PFC2D (Particle Flow Code 2-Dimension) employing DEM (Distinct Element Method) was used for the numerical analysis. Blasting demolition of scaled 3-D plain concrete laymen structure was filmed and compared to results of numerical simulation. Despite the limits of 2-D simulation the resulting demolition behaviors were similar to each other. Based on the above experimental results in combination with bending test results of RC beam, numerical analysis was carried out to determine the blasting sequence and delay times. Scaled model test of RC structure resulted in remarkably similar collapse with the numerical results up to 900㎳ (mili-second).

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.1045-1055
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• 2017

Tensile strength is considered key properties for characterizing rock material in engineering project. It is determined by direct and indirect methods. Point load test is a useful testing method to estimate the tensile strengths of rocks. In this paper, the effects of rock shape on the point load index of gypsum are investigated by PFC2D simulation. For PFC simulating, initially calibration of PFC was performed with respect to the Brazilian experimental data to ensure the conformity of the simulated numerical models response. In second step, nineteen models with different shape were prepared and tested under point load test. According to the obtained results, as the size of the models increases, the point load strength index increases. It is also found that the shape of particles has no major effect on its tensile strength. Our findings show that the dominant failure pattern for numerical models is breaking the model into two pieces. Also a criterion was rendered numerically for determination of tensile strength of gypsum. The proposed criteria were cross checked with the results of experimental point load test.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.261-275
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• 2012

This paper presents numerical analysis of the mud cake infiltration behaviour which is influenced tunnel face stability during excavation by slurry shield TBM. This analysis method can make useful data to select proper shield TBM type and to set up the construction plan. But effective analysis did not proposed until now. In this paper, we carried out numerical analysis using by $PFC^{2D}$ fluid coupling simulation which is suitable for sandy soil modelling. As a analysis result, we checked that the slurry infiltration behaviour varied with soil permeability and slurry characteristic(specific weight, viscosity etc). This analysis method is helpful safety excavation through anticipating the proper slurry viscosity at the design stage and verifying the slurry quality at initial excavation stage.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.207-221
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• 2023

In this investigation, the interaction between opening space and neighboring joint has been examined by experimental test and Particle flow code in two dimension (PFC2D) simulation. Since, firs of all PFC was calibrated using Brazilian experimental test and uniaxial compression test. Secondly, diverse configurations of opening and neighboring joint were provided and tested by uniaxial test. 12 rectangular sample with dimension of 10 cm*10 cm was prepared from gypsum mixture. One quarter of tunnel and one and or two joint were drilled into the sample. Tunnel diameter was 5.5 cm. The angularities of joint in physical test were 0°, 45° and 90°. The angularities of joint in numerical simulation were 0°, 30°, 60°, -30°, -45°, -60° and its length were 2cm and 4cm. Loading rate was 0.016 m/s. Tensile strength of material was 4.5 MPa. Results shows that dominant type of crack which took place in the model was tensile cracks and or several shear bands develop within the model. The Final stress is minimum in the cases where oriented angle is negative. The failure stress decrease by decreasing the joint angle from 30° to 60°. In addition, the failure stress decrease by incrementing the joint angle from -30° to -60°. The failure stress was incremented by decreasing the number of notches. The failure stress was incremented by decreasing the joint length. The failure stress was incremented by decreasing the number of notches. Comparing experimental results and numerical one, showed that the failure stress is approximately identical in both conditions.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.433-446
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• 2020

In this paper the effect of confining pressure and tunnel depth on the ground vertical settlement has been investigated using particle flow code (PFC2D). For this perpuse firstly calibration of PFC2D was performed using both of tensile test and triaxial test. Then a model with dimention of 100 m × 100 m was built. A circular tunnel with diameter of 20 m was drillled in the middle of the model. Also, a rectangular tunnel with wide of 10 m and length of 20 m was drilled in the model. The center of tunnel was situated 15 m, 20 m, 25 m, 30 m, 35 m, 40 m, 45 m, 50 m, 55 m and 60 m below the ground surface. these models are under confining pressure of 0.001 GPa, 0.005 GPa, 0.01 GPa, 0.03 GPa, 0.05 GPa and 0.07 GPa. The results show that the volume of colapce zone is constant by increasing the distance between ground surface and tunnel position. Also, the volume of colapce zone was increased by decreasing of confining pressure. The maximum of settlement occurs at the top of the tunnel roof. The maximum of settlement occurs when center of tunnel was situated 15 m below the ground surface. The settlement decreases by increasing the distance between tunnel center line and measuring circles in the ground surface. The minimum of settlement occurs when center of circular tunnel was situated 60 m below the surface ground. Its to be note that the settlement increase by decreasing the confining pressure.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.2 s.55
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• pp.119-128
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• 2005

Although the evaluation of the mechanical properties and behavior of jointed rock masses is very important for the design of tunnel and underground openings, it has always been considered the most difficult problem. One of the difficulties in describing the rock mass behavior is the selection of the appropriate constitutive model. This limitation may be overcome with the progress in discrete element software such as PFC, which does not need the user to prescribe a constitutive model for rock mass. In this paper, a 30\;m\;\times\;30\;m\;\times\;30\;m m jointed rock mass of road tunnel site was analyzed. h discrete fracture network was developed from the joint geometry obtained from core logging and surface survey. Using the discontinuities geometry from the DFN model, PFC simulations were carried out, starting with the intact rock and systematically adding the joints and the stress-strain response was recorded for each case. With the stress-strain response curves, the mechanical properties of jointed rock masses were determined. As expected, the presence of joints had a pronounced effect on mechanical properties of the rock mass. More importantly, getting the mechanical response of the PFC model doesn't require a user specified constitutive model.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.58-63
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• 2009

Biaxial compression test was conducted on a transversely isotropic synthetic jointed rock model for the understanding of the fracture behaviors of a sedimentary or metamorphic rocks with well developed bedding or foliation in uni-direction. The joint angles employed for the model are 30, 45, and 60 degrees to the horizontal, and the synthetic rock mass was made of early strength cement. From the biaxial compression test, initiation propagation of tensile cracks at norm to the joint angle was found. The propagated tensile cracks eventually developed rock blocks, which was dislodged from the rock mass. Furthermore, the propagation process of the tensile cracks varies with joint angle: lower joint angle model shows more stable and progressive tensile crack propagation. The experiment results were validated from the simulation by using discrete element method PFC 2D. From the simulation, as has been observed from the test, a rock mass with lower joint angle produces wider damage region and rock block by tensile cracks. In addition, a rock model with lower joint angle shows a progressive tensile cracks generation around the opening from the investigation of the interacted tensile cracks.