• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.457-470
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• 2021

In this study, the pull-out behavior of a tunnel-type anchorage for suspension bridges was investigated using experimental tests and image processing analyses. The study focused on evaluating the initial failure behavior and failure mode of the tunnel-type anchorage. In order to evaluate the failure mode of tunnel-type anchorage, a series of scaled model tests were conducted based on the prototype anchorage of the Ulsan Grand Bridge. In the model tests, the anchorage body and surrounding rocks were fabricated using a gypsum mixture. The pull-out behavior was investigated under plane strain conditions. The results of the model tests demonstrate that the tunnel-type anchorage underwent a wedge-shaped failure. In addition, the failure mode changed according to the differences in the physical properties of the surrounding rock and the anchorage body and the size of the anchor plate. The size of the anchor plate was found to be an important parameter that determines the failure mode. However, the difference in physical properties between the surrounding rock and the anchorage body did not affect its size. In addition, this study analyzed the initial failure behavior of the tunnel-type anchorage through image analysis and confirmed that the failure was sequentially transferred from the inside of the tunnel to the surrounding rock according to the image analysis. The reasonable failure mode for the design of the tunnel-type anchorage should be wedge-type rather than pull-out type.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2024

This study analyzes the pull-out behavior of tunnel-type anchorage under various joint conditions, including joint direction, spacing, and position, using a finite element analysis. The validity of the numerical model was evaluated by comparing the results with a small-scaled model test, and the results of the numerical analysis and the small-scaled model test agree very well. The parametric study evaluated the quantitative effects of each influencing factor, such as joint direction, spacing, and position, on the behavior of tunnel-type anchorage using pull-out resistance-displacement curves. The study found that joint direction had a significant effect on the behavior of tunnel-type anchorage, and the pull-out resistance decreased as the displacement level increased from 0.002L to 0.006L (L: anchorage length). It was confirmed that the reduction in pull-out resistance increased as the number of joints in contact with the anchorage body increased and the spacing between the joints decreased. The pull-out behavior of tunnel-type anchorage was thus shown to be significantly influenced by the position and spacing of the rock joints. In addition, it is found that the number of joints through which the anchorage passes, the wider the area where the plastic point occurs, which leads to a decrease in the resistance of the anchorage.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.61-74
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• 2018

In this study, the pull-out behavior of tunnel type anchorage of suspension bridges was analyzed based on results from laboratory size model tests and numerical analysis. Tunnel type anchorage has found its applications occasionally in both domestic and oversea projects, therefore design method including failure mode and safety factor is yet to be clearly established. In an attempt to improve the design method, scaled model tests were conducted by employing simplified shapes and structure of the Ulsan grand bridge's anchorage which was the first case history of its like in Korea. In the model tests, the anchorage body and the surrounding rocks were made by using gypsum mixture. The pull-out behavior was investigated under plane strain conditions. The results of the model tests showed that the tunnel type anchorage underwent wedge shape failure. For the verification of the model tests, numerical analysis was carried out using ABAQUS, a finite element analysis program. The failure behavior predicted by numerical analysis was consistent with that by the model tests. The result of numerical analysis also showed that the effect of Poisson's ratio was negligible, and that a plugging type failure mode could occur only when the strength of the surrounding rocks was 10 times larger than that of anchorage body.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.139-160
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• 2017

The bearing mechanism of tunnel-type anchorage (TTA) for suspension bridges is studied. Model tests are conducted using different shapes of plug bodies, which are circular column shape and circular truncated cone shape. The results show that the plug body of the latter shape possesses much larger bearing capacity, namely 4.48 times at elastic deformation stage and 4.54 times at failure stage compared to the former shape. Numerical simulation is then conducted to understand the mechanical and structural responses of plug body and surrounding rock mass. The mechanical parameters of the surrounding rock mass are firstly back-analyzed based on the monitoring data. The calculation laws of deformation and equivalent plastic strain show that the numerical simulation results are rational and provide subsequent mechanism analysis with an established basis. Afterwards, the bearing mechanism of TTA is studied. It is concluded that the plug body of circular truncated cone shape is able to take advantage of the material strength of the surrounding rock mass, which greatly enhances its bearing capacity. The ultimate bearing capacity of TTA, therefore, is concluded to be determined by the material strength of surrounding rock mass. Finally, recommendations for TTA design are proposed and discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.33-48
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• 2021

The rock anchorage of a suspension bridge is an outstanding anchorage type from environmental and economical perspective, although it should be applied when the bearing foundation is fresh enough to resist large cable loads. In practice, geotechnical engineers have encountered difficulties in designing the anchorage structure due to the fact that the physical behaviors of rocks against cable loads have not yet been fully proved and its design method was not established yet. In this study, model tests and numerical studies were performed to evaluate the behavior of the rock anchorage system planned under hard rock layers in domestic islands, and results suggest that the shape of asymmetric rock wedges can resist the tension loads with self weight and shear resistance. Additionally, real scale trial tests were carried out to verify the accuracy of an inclined drilling penetrating hard rock layers to install tendon to the bearing plate.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.841-849
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• 2018

The purpose of a rock bolt is to improve the mechanical performance of a jointed-rock mass. The performance of a rock bolt is generally evaluated by conducting a field pullout test, as the analytical or numerical evaluation of the rock bolt behavior still remains difficult. In this study, wide range of field test was performed to investigate the pullout resistance of rock bolts considering influencing factors such as the rock type, water bearing conditions, rock bolt type and length. The test results showed that the fully grouted rock bolt (FGR) in water-bearing rocks can be inadequate to provide the required pullout resistance, meanwhile the inflated steel tube rock bolt (ISR) satisfied required pullout resistance, even immediately after installation in water-bearing conditions. The ISR was particularly effective when the water inflow into a drill hole is greater than 1.0 l/min. The effect of the rock bolt failure on the tunnel stability was investigated through numerical analysis. The results show that the contribution of the rock bolt to the overall stability of the tunnel was not significant. However, it is found that the rock bolt can effectively reinforce the jointed-rock mass and reduce the possibility of local collapses of rocks, thus the importance of the rock bolt should not be overlooked, regardless of the overall stability.