NTU-CEE Distinguished Speaker Series: Professor Ki-Bok MIN
Organized By
CEE Seminar Committee
Host By
Associate Professor Wu Wei
Topic
The State of the Art in Anisotropic Rock Mechanics - Experimental and Numerical Studies
About the Seminar
This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of anisotropic rock mechanics, with emphasis on both experimental investigations and numerical modelling carried out by the Seoul National University Geomechanics Group. It begins by introducing the ISRM Suggested Method currently under preparation, which seeks to establish a standardized approach for determining the five independent elastic constants of transversely isotropic rocks through the use of multiple oriented cores.
This presentation also highlights innovative single-core methodologies - such as strain inversion, artificial neural networks, and digital image correlation - that allow accurate elastic characterization when the number of rocl core is limited. On the numerical front, discrete element methods (DEM) are examined, including DFN-DEM, which integrates discrete fracture networks with DEM to capture the influence of fracture geometry on anisotropy, and particulate DEM, which simulates both deformation and failure mechanisms of transversely isotropic rocks. Validation studies demonstrate close agreement among theoretical predictions, laboratory experiments, and numerical simulations. Collectively, the findings underscore the importance of properly characterizing anisotropy to ensure reliable prediction of rock deformation and strength, with implications for rock engineering applications.
About the Speaker
Dr Ki-Bok MIN is a Professor in the Department of Energy Resources Engineering at Seoul National University (SNU). He received his BSc in Mineral & Petroleum Engineering and MSc in Rock Mechanics from SNU, and his PhD in Engineering Geology from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden.
His research focuses on coupled processes in fractured rock and anisotropic rock mechanics, with major applications in geological disposal of nuclear waste and enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). He currently serves as an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences and as Vice President for Asia of the International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (ISRM, 2023-2027). He is also Chair of the Organizing Committee for the 16th ISRM Congress, to be held in Seoul in October 2027.