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Classification of geological and engineering properties in weak rock: a case study of a tunnel in a fault zone in southeastern Korea

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Abstract

Given that the rock mass classifications of weak rocks observed in tunnels are evaluated only as ‘poor rock mass’ or grades IV–V using existing rock mass classification methods, a new scheme is needed that would better distinguish the various geological properties of weak rocks. In this study, geological and engineering properties of weak rocks were classified based on the analysis results of a total of 55 faces in a tunnel that passes through a fault zone in southeastern South Korea. Geological observations, point load tests, and Schmidt hammer tests were conducted to analyze the properties of the weak rocks. Through this analysis, the weak rocks were classified into two weathering types: ‘disintegrated rocks’ and ‘decomposed rocks’. This division is based on the tectonic mechanisms and parameters necessary to determine the engineering geological properties of individual rock-weathering types according to their geological properties. The ‘disintegrated rocks’ have been physically weathered by brittle deformation and are classified into three subtypes using the rock quality designation (RQD) and joint set number (Jn), which can characterize the discontinuity properties of the rocks. Point load tests were conducted on these individual subtypes to calculate the point load index (Is(50)). The resultant values are clearly related to the assigned three subtypes. The ‘decomposed rocks’ have been chemically weathered by ductile deformation and are classified into five subtypes based on the results of Schmidt hammer tests conducted on faces and Is(50) values calculated using the average of the Schmidt hammer values. The geological properties of the individual subtypes of the ‘disintegrated rocks’ and ‘decomposed rocks’ are clearly related to their engineering properties. Based on these results, rock mass classification diagrams are proposed that can be simply and easily applied to weak rocks.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the Construction Technology Research Program funded by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Korean government (No. 15SCIP-C069312-03).

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  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea

    Hyun-Seok Yun & Yong-Seok Seo

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Yun, HS., Seo, YS. Classification of geological and engineering properties in weak rock: a case study of a tunnel in a fault zone in southeastern Korea. Bull Eng Geol Environ 78, 445–458 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1156-7

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