• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.541-557
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• 2015

This research aims to analyze the fracture coalescence characteristics of brittle sandstone specimen ($80{\times}160{\times}30mm$ in size) containing various flaws (a single fissure, double squares and combined flaws). Using a rock mechanics servo-controlled testing system, the strength and deformation behaviours of sandstone specimen containing various flaws are experimentally investigated. The results show that the crack initiation stress, uniaxial compressive strength and peak axial strain of specimen containing a single fissure are all higher than those containing double squares, while which are higher than those containing combined flaws. For sandstone specimen containing combined flaws, the uniaxial compressive strength of sandstone increase as fissure angle (${\alpha}$) increases from $30^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$, which indicates that the specimens with steeper fissure angles can support higher axial capacity for ${\alpha}$ greater than $30^{\circ}$. In the entire deformation process of flawed sandstone specimen, crack evolution process is discussed detailed using photographic monitoring technique. For the specimen containing a single fissure, tensile wing cracks are first initiated at the upper and under tips of fissure, and anti-tensile cracks and far-field cracks are also observed in the deformation process; moreover anti-tensile cracks usually accompanies with tensile wing cracks. For the specimen containing double squares, tensile cracks are usually initiated from the top and bottom edge of two squares along the direction of axial stress, and in the process of final unstable failure, more vertical splitting failures are observed in the ligament region. When a single fissure and double squares are formed together into combined flaws, the crack coalescence between the fissure tips and double squares plays a significant role for ultimate failure of the specimen containing combined flaws.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.239-255
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• 2021

Kinematic analyses of magmatic intrusions and faults can provide useful information on stress conditions and chronological relationships between dike emplacement and brittle deformation events. We studied structures in rocks exposed on a coastal platform in Geoje Island off the southern Korean Peninsula because of its well-developed dikes and faults. The geology of the study area includes the Cretaceous Seongpo-ri Formation, which is composed mostly of shale, sandstone, and hornfels intruded by magmatic dikes. Most of the dikes are developed along pre-existing structural features (faults and fractures), indicating that their emplacements were structurally controlled. Because dikes commonly open along the direction of the minimum principal stress, the direction of this stress can be obtained from dike geometry and orientation through the matching of piercing points on either side of a dike. In addition, the deformed dikes can give information regarding later deformation. On the basis of the kinematic analyses, we identified five deformation events in the study area, which are kinematically related to changes of the regional maximum principal stress. Results indicate that the structures in the study area have been controlled predominantly by episodes of reactivation of the NNE-trending Yangsan strike-slip fault, located to the northeast of the study area, under different stress regimes. In a wider tectonic context, the brittle deformation of the rocks of Geoje Island was probably induced by interactions among the Philippine Sea, Pacific, and Eurasian plates, including changes in subduction parameters with respect to the latter two plates over time.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.399-406
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• 2018

The present study focuses on the performance of basalt fiber reinforced concrete (BFRC) lining in tunnel situated in sandstone rock when subjected to internal blast loading. The blast analysis of the lined tunnel is carried out using the three-dimensional (3-D) nonlinear finite element (FE) method. The stress-strain response of the sandstone rock is simulated using a crushable plasticity model which can simulate the brittle behavior of rock and that of BFRC lining is analyzed using a damaged plasticity model for concrete capturing damage response. The strain rate dependent material properties of BFRC are collected from the literature and that of rock are taken from the authors' previous work using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The constitutive model performance is validated through the FE simulation of SHPB test and the comparison of simulation results with the experimental data. Further, blast loading in the tunnel is simulated for 10 kg and 50 kg Trinitrotoluene (TNT) charge weights using the equivalent pressure-time curves obtained through hydrocode simulations. The analysis results are studied for the stress and displacement response of rock and tunnel lining. Blast performance of BFRC lining is compared with that of plain concrete (PC) and steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) lining materials. It is observed that the BFRC lining exhibits almost 65% lesser displacement as compared to PC and 30% lesser displacement as compared to SFRC tunnel linings.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.615-627
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• 2021

The Baekildo fault, a dextral strike-slip fault developed in Baekil Island, Goheung-gun, controls the distribution of tuffaceous sandstone and lapilli tuff and shows a complex fracture system around it. In this study, we examined the spatial variation in the geometry and connectivity of the fracture system by using circular sampling and topological analysis based on a detailed fracture trace map. As a result, both intensity and connectivity of the fracture system are higher in tuffaceous sandstone than in lapilli tuff. Furthermore, the degree of the orientation dispersion, intensity, and average length of fracture sets vary depending on the along-strike variation in structural position in the tuffaceous sandstone. Notably, curved fractures abutting the fault at a high angle occur at a fault bend. Based on the detailed observation and analyses of the fracture system, we conclude as follows: (1) the high intensity of the fracture system in the tuffaceous sandstone is caused by the higher content of brittle minerals such as quartz and feldspar. (2) the connectivity of the fracture system gets higher with the increase in the diversity and average length of the fracture sets. Finally, (3) the fault bend with geometric irregularity is interpreted to concentrate and disturb the local stress leading to the curved fractures abutting the fault at a high angle. This contribution will provide important insight into various geologic and structural factors that control the development of fracture systems around faults.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.273-283
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• 1999

Two physical experiments are performed to verify the effectiveness of beam-particle model for simulating the progressive failure of particulate composites such as sandstone and concrete. In the numerical model, the material is schematized at the meso-level as an assembly of discrete, interacting particles which are linked through a network of brittle breaking beams. The uniaxial compressive tests of cubic and parallelepipedal specimens made of carbon steel rod assembly which are glued together by a mixture are represented. The crack patterns and load-displacement response observed in the experiments are in good agreement with the numerical results. In the application respect of beam-particle model to the particulate composites, the influence of defects, particle arrangement and boundary conditions on crack propagation is approached, and the correlation existing between the cracking evolution and the level of loads imposed on the specimen is characterized by fractal dimensions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.195-204
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• 2018

Based on theories of rock mechanics, rock fragmentation, mechanics of elasto-plasticity, and energy dissipation etc., a method is presented for evaluating the rock fragmentation efficiency by using plastic energy dissipation ratio as an index. Using the presented method, the fragmentation efficiency of rocks with different strengths (corresponding to soft, intermediately hard and hard ones) under indentation is analyzed and compared. The theoretical and numerical simulation analyses are then combined with experimental results to systematically reveal the fragmentation mechanism of rocks under indentation of indenter. The results indicate that the fragmentation efficiency of rocks is higher when the plastic energy dissipation ratio is lower, and hence the drilling efficiency is higher. For the rocks with higher hardness and brittleness, the plastic energy dissipation ratio of the rocks at crush is lower. For rocks with lower hardness and brittleness (such as sandstone), most of the work done by the indenter to the rocks is transferred to the elastic and plastic energy of the rocks. However, most of such work is transferred to the elastic energy when the hardness and the brittleness of the rocks are higher. The plastic deformation is small and little energy is dissipated for brittle crush, and the elastic energy is mainly transferred to the kinetic energy of the rock fragment. The plastic energy ratio is proved to produce more accurate assessment on the fragmentation efficiency of rocks, and the presented method can provide a theoretical basis for the optimization of drill bit and selection of well drilling as well as for the selection of the rock fragmentation ways.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.149-163
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• 2021

Damage characteristics of granite, marble and sandstone whose properties were different were investigated by uniaxial compression test and cyclic loading-unloading test. Strength, elastic constants and damage threshold stresses were measured by uniaxial compression test and were compared with those measured by cyclic loading-unloading test. Average rock strengths measured by cyclic loading-unloading test were either lower than or similar with those measured by uniaxial compression test. Rocks with high strength and low porosity were more sensitive to fatigue than that with low strength and high porosity. Although permanent strains caused by cyclic loading-unloading were different according to rock types, they could be good indicators representing damage characteristics of rock. Damage threshold stress of granite and marble might be measured from stress-permanent strain curves. Acoustic emissions were measured during both tests and felicity ratios which represented damage characteristics of rocks were calculated. Felicity ratio of sandstone which was weak in strength and highly porous could not be calculated because of very few measurements of acoustic emissions. On the other hand, damage threshold could be predicted from felicity ratios of granite and marble which were brittle and low in porosity. The deformation behaviors and damage characteristics of rock mass could be investigated if additional tests for various rock types were performed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.77-88
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• 2017

The geology of the study area is composed mainly of conglomerate, sandstone, and shale and basalt. It is a rock that has been observed to move relatively recently through various brittle deformation and various stress fields during the recent period. To form a gentle terrain with severe crushing. The slope is located at the intersection of the Taegok Fault in the north-northeast direction and the Bukok Fault in the western north-west direction, and many faults, fault zones and fracture zones of various sizes are developed in the rock bed. In this study, the geological characteristics of the slope are investigated and the countermeasure method is suggested. It is suggested that periodical measurement and analysis should be performed by installing a measuring instrument according to each structure for safety management of the surrounding roads and grounds during construction or reinforcement by the countermeasure method for the slope of the study area.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2008

We have a question about the changing possibility of orientation of discontinuities through the depth of under-ground. To know this, the data from Honam coalfield composed of shale, sandstone and coal and Suwon area which crops out mica schist, were analyzed the discontinuities measured by BIPS and Televiewer. In Honam coalfield the orientations of joints are changed at 30-40 m depth of underground and in Suwon area they are changed around 20 m depth. To compared the results from Honanam coalfield and Suwon area, there are different rock type and geologic structure. However, the attitude of the discontinuities are changing at 20-30 m depth of underground.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.179-191
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• 2021

In this study, the strength and failure mechanism of red sandstones with combined defects were investigated by uniaxial compression tests on red sandstones with different crack angles using two-dimensional particle flow code numerical software, and their mechanical parameters and failure process were studied and analyzed. The results showed that the mechanical characteristics such as peak strength, peak strain, and elastic modulus of the samples with prefabricated combined defects were significantly inferior than those of the intact samples. With increasing crack angle from 15° to 60°, the weakening area of cracks increased, elastic modulus, peak strength, and peak strain gradually reduced, the total number of cracks increased, and more strain energy was released. In addition, the samples underwent initial brittle failure to plastic failure stage, and the failure form was more significant, leading to peeling phenomenon. However, with increasing crack angle from 75° to 90°, the crack-hole combination shared the stress concentration at the tip of the crack-crack combination, resulted in a gradual increase in elastic modulus, peak strain and peak strength, but a decrease in the number of total cracks, the release of strain energy reduced, the plastic failure state weakened, and the spalling phenomenon slowed down. On this basis, the samples with 30° and 45° crack-crack combination were selected for further experimental investigation. Through comparative analysis between the experimental and simulation results, the failure strength and final failure mode with cracks propagation of samples were found to be relatively similar.