Hydromechanical characterization of gas transport amidst uncertainty for underground nuclear explosion detection

Given the challenge of definitively discriminating between chemical and nuclear explosions using seismic methods alone,surface detection of signature noble gas radioisotopes is considered a positive identification of underground nuclear explosions(UNEs).However,the migration of signature radionuclide gases between the nuclear cavity and surface is not well understood because complex processes are involved,including the generation of complex fracture networks,reactivation of natural fractures and faults,and thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical(THMC)coupling of radionuclide gas transport in the subsurface.In this study,we provide an experimental investigation of hydro-mechanical(HM)coupling among gas flow,stress states,rock deformation,and rock damage using a unique multi-physics triaxial direct shear rock testing system.The testing system also features redundant gas pressure and flow rate measurements,well suited for parameter uncertainty quantification.Using porous tuff and tight granite samples that are relevant to historic UNE tests,we measured the Biot effective stress coefficient,rock matrix gas permeability,and fracture gas permeability at a range of pore pressure and stress conditions.The Biot effective stress coefficient varies from 0.69 to 1 for the tuff,whose porosity averages 35.3%±0.7%,while this coefficient varies from 0.51 to 0.78 for the tight granite(porosity<1%,perhaps an underestimate).Matrix gas permeability is strongly correlated to effective stress for the granite,but not for the porous tuff.Our experiments reveal the following key engineering implications on transport of radionuclide gases post a UNE event:(1)The porous tuff shows apparent fracture dilation or compression upon stress changes,which does not necessarily change the gas permeability;(2)The granite fracture permeability shows strong stress sensitivity and is positively related to shear displacement;and(3)Hydromechanical coupling among stress states,rock damage,and gas flow appears to be stronger in tight granite than in porous tuff.

Simulations of explosion-induced damage to underground rock chambers

A numerical approach is presented to study the explosion-induced pressure load on an underground rock chamber wall and its resultant damage to the rock chamber.Numerical simulations are carried out by using a modified version of the commercial software AUTODYN.Three different criteria,i.e.a peak particle velocity (PPV) criterion,an effective strain (ES) criterion,and a damage criterion,are employed to examine the explosion-induced damaged zones of the underground rock chamber.The results show that the charge chamber geometry,coupling condition and charge configuration affect significantly the dynamic pressure exerted on the rock chamber wall.Thus the chamber is damaged.An inaccurate approximation of pressure boundary ignoring the influences of these factors would result in an erroneous prediction of damaged area and damage intensity of the charge chamber.The PPV criterion yields the largest damaged zone while the ES criterion gives the smallest one.The presented numerical simulation method is superior in consideration of the chamber geometry,loading density,coupling condition and rock quality.The predicted damage intensity of rock mass can be categorized quantitatively by an isotropic damage scalar.Safe separation distance of adjacent chambers for a specific charge weight is also estimated.

Gleaning insights from German energy transition and large-scale underground energy storage for China’s carbon neutrality

The global energy transition is a widespread phenomenon that requires international exchange of experiences and mutual learning.Germany’s success in its first phase of energy transition can be attributed to its adoption of smart energy technology and implementation of electricity futures and spot marketization,which enabled the achievement of multiple energy spatial–temporal complementarities and overall grid balance through energy conversion and reconversion technologies.While China can draw from Germany’s experience to inform its own energy transition efforts,its 11-fold higher annual electricity consumption requires a distinct approach.We recommend a clean energy system based on smart sector coupling(ENSYSCO)as a suitable pathway for achieving sustainable energy in China,given that renewable energy is expected to guarantee 85%of China’s energy production by 2060,requiring significant future electricity storage capacity.Nonetheless,renewable energy storage remains a significant challenge.We propose four large-scale underground energy storage methods based on ENSYSCO to address this challenge,while considering China’s national conditions.These proposals have culminated in pilot projects for large-scale underground energy storage in China,which we believe is a necessary choice for achieving carbon neutrality in China and enabling efficient and safe grid integration of renewable energy within the framework of ENSYSCO.

Long-term stability analysis of large-scale underground plant of Xiangjiaba hydro-power station

Numerical analysis of the optimal supporting time and long-term stability index of the surrounding rocks in the underground plant of Xiangjiaba hydro-power station was carried out based on the rheological theory. Firstly,the mechanical parameters of each rock group were identified from the experimental data; secondly,the rheological calculation and analysis for the cavern in stepped excavation without supporting were made; finally,the optimal time for supporting at the characteristic point in a typical section was obtained while the creep rate and displacement after each excavation step has satisfied the criterion of the optimal supporting time. Excavation was repeated when the optimal time for supporting was identified,and the long-term stability creep time and the maximum creep deformation of the characteristic point were determined in accordance with the criterion of long-term stability index. It is shown that the optimal supporting time of the characteristic point in the underground plant of Xiangjiaba hydro-power station is 5-8 d,the long-term stability time of the typical section is 126 d,and the corresponding largest creep deformation is 24.30 mm. While the cavern is supported,the cavern deformation is significantly reduced and the stress states of the surrounding rock masses are remarkably improved.

A laboratory method to simulate seismic waves induced by underground explosions

The seismic waves induced by underground explosions generate geological hazards affecting deep buried tunnels such as rockbursts and engineering-induced earthquakes. This issue is difficult to study through full-scale testing due to the expense and unpredictable danger. To solve this problem, the authors developed experimental apparatus and presented a laboratory method to simulate seismic waves induced by underground explosions. In this apparatus, a combined structure of a diffusive-shaped water capsule and a special-shaped oil capsule was designed. This structure can provide an applied confining stress and freely transmit the stress wave generated by external impact. Therefore, the coupled loading of in situ stress and seismic waves induced by underground explosions in the deep rock mass was simulated. The positive pressure time and peak value of the stress wave could be adjusted by changing the pulse-shaper and the initial impact energy. The obtained stress waves in the experiments correspond to that generated by 0.15-120 kt of TNT equivalent explosion at a scaled distance of 89.9-207.44 m/kt.

Dynamic responses of deep underground explosions based on improved Grigorian model

It is important to investigate the dynamic behaviors of deep rocks near explosion cavity to reveal the mechanisms of deformations and fractures. Some improvements are carried out for Grigorian model with focuses on the dilation effects and the relaxation effects of deep rocks, and the high pressure equations of states with Mie-Grüneisen form are also established. Numerical calculations of free field parameters for deep underground explosions are carried out based on the user subroutines which are compiled by means of the secondary development functions of LS-DYNA9703 D software. The histories of radial stress, radial velocity and radial displacement of rock particles are obtained, and the calculation results are compared with those of U.S. Hardhat nuclear test. It is indicated that the dynamic responses of free field for deep underground explosions are well simulated based on improved Grigorian model, and the calculation results are in good agreement with the data of U.S. Hardhat nuclear test. The peak values of particle velocities are consistent with those of test, but the waveform widths and the rising times are obviously greater than those without dilation effects. The attenuation rates of particle velocities are greater than the calculation results with classic plastic model, and they are consistent with the results of Hardhat nuclear test. The attenuation behaviors and the rising times of stress waves are well shown by introducing dilation effects and relaxation effects into the calculation model. Therefore, the defects of Grigorian model are avoided. It is also indicated that the initial stress has obvious influences on the waveforms of radial stress and the radial displacements of rock particles.

Models of wave duration and event fre-quency of explosion aftershocks

The contained underground explosion (CUE) usually generates huge number of aftershocks. This kind of after-shocks induced by three CUEs was investigated in the paper. The conclusions show that the duration of aftershock waveforms are rather short, 70 percent of them range from 2 to 7; the occurrences of the aftershocks conform to negative power function, which has the power of -1.6. The aftershock sequence attenuates a little bit faster, with power of -1.0, within two weeks of post-explosions. During the early stage of post-explosions the aftershocks show up in a cluster, however, they usually show up individually during the late stage of post-explosions. The number of aftershocks generated by the compatible explosions differs by several times because of different me-dium and geological structure; within one month after an explosion with Richater magnitude of 5.5, the number of aftershocks attenuates to the background. Hereafter there are still tiny numbers of aftershocks.

Floor dust erosion during early stages of coal dust explosion development

An ignition of methane and air can generate enough air flow to raise mixtures of combustible coal and rock dust.The expanding high temperature combustion products ignite the suspended dust mixture and will continue to propagate following the available combustible fuel supply.If the concentration of the dispersed rock dust is sufficient,the flame will stop propagating.Large-scale explosion tests were conducted within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)Lake Lynn Experimental Mine(LLEM)to measure the dynamic pressure history and the post-explosion dust scour depth.The aim of this effort is to provide quantitative data on depth of dust removal during the early stages of explosion development and its relationship to the depth of floor dust collected for assessing the incombustible content most likely to participate in the combustion process.This experimental work on dust removal on is not only important for coal mine safety but also for industrial dust explosions.

Models of wave duration and event frequency of explosion aftershocks

The contained underground explosion (CUE) usually generates huge number of aftershocks. This kind of after-shocks induced by three CUEs was investigated in the paper. The conclusions show that the duration of aftershock waveforms are rather short, 70 percent of them range from 2 to 7; the occurrences of the aftershocks conform to negative power function, which has the power of -1.6. The aftershock sequence attenuates a little bit faster, with power of -1.0, within two weeks of post-explosions. During the early stage of post-explosions the aftershocks show up in a cluster, however, they usually show up individually during the late stage of post-explosions. The number of aftershocks generated by the compatible explosions differs by several times because of different me-dium and geological structure; within one month after an explosion with Richater magnitude of 5.5, the number of aftershocks attenuates to the background. Hereafter there are still tiny numbers of aftershocks.

Explosions and seismic phenomena based on exciting of acoustic-electromagnetic waves

During earthquakes and strong underground explosions it is possible to observe two different effects. The first one is connected with the destruction of media, and this causes acoustic and later hybrid acoustic-electromagnetic waves in an epicenter in the atmosphere and in the ionosphere. Another one is connected with cracks in crystals of rocks, which seems more interesting, because it is possible to recognize the natural earthquakes and industrial explosions. In the first effects due to nonlinear elastic modules the acoustic waves move through the lithosphere and transform their spectra from VLF (very low frequencies ~ 1 - 10 kHz) at the depth of about 30 km into the lower part of ELF (extremely low frequencies, ~ 3 Hz - 1 kHz) on the Earth’s surface, then they pass the atmosphere and penetrate into the ionosphere. During the nonlinear acoustic passage through the atmosphere and the ionosphere, the spectrum transforms from ELF into ULF (ultra low frequencies, < 1 Hz) range. In this review article the classification of spectrum and analysis of two cases of the destruction of rocks in the lithosphere is presented. The rocks possess piezoelectric and piezomagnetic properties. In this case the electromagnetic emission is excited by the fracturing in plates of crystals. The difference of emission from piezoelectric and magnetic plates in cases of industrial explosions and natural seismic events including volcanic phenomena gives a possibility to analyze the method of its identification. The consideration is based on the model of the plate of a finite size with an uniformly moving crack.

Discrimination Between Nuclear Explosions and Earthquakes: An Application of Wigner Distribution

In this paper,the nonstationary theory of Wigner Distribution is used to discriminate between underground nuclear explosions and natural earthquakes.Five underground explosions in Kazakhstan region and seven regional earthquakes in its adjacent areas have been analyzed.The result shows that the transient spectra of underground nuclear explosions are concentrated in the frequency range of 5-10 Hz,while the transient spectra of natural earthquakes are distributed widely from lower frequency to higher frequency.The transient frequency of nuclear explosions shows linearity in the first stage(0【t【0.75 s)and its initial frequency is negative.The transient frequency of natural earthquakes rapidly changes in a jumping form and its initial frequency alternates between being positive and negative.The obtained results show that the method is more effective than previous ones in discriminating between underground nuclear explosions and earthquakes.This paper also gives a preliminary explanation of the discrepancy

Theory and test of underground explosions:Coupling rule between cratering and ground shock

Calculating the parameters of the ground shock induced by an underground explosion is a complex energy coupling problem.It is difficult to establish a unified ground shock coupling law from limited test data.This paper summarizes the research results obtained at home and abroad and systematically analyzes the coupling mechanism of craters formed by an underground explosion and the ground shock.The differences between the concepts of"closed-explosion critical depth"and"equivalent closed-explosion critical depth"are clearly explained.The spreading of the ground shock energy is attributed to the explosive expansion of the air cavity,revealing a linear relationship between the volume of the cavity region(or the volume of the crack region)and the ground shock energy associated with the underground explosion.The proportionality factor is related to the mechanical properties of the medium and is independent of the magnitude of the explosion equivalent.Based on this,a theoretical calculation formula and conversion method for the ground shock coupling coefficient were established.Explosion tests were conducted in clay and Plexiglass under varying burial depths.The test results were consistent with the theoretically calculated results.Our study provides a theoretical basis for the design of explosion-resistant structures in underground engineering.

Measures for controlling large deformations of underground caverns under high in-situ stress condition--A case study of JinpingⅠhydropower station

The Jinping I hydropower station is a huge water conservancy project consisting of the highest concrete arch dam to date in the world and a highly complex and large underground powerhouse cavern. It is located on the right bank with extremely high in-situ stress and a few discontinuities observed in surrounding rock masses. The problems of rock mass deformation and failure result in considerable challenges related to project design and construction and have raised a wide range of concerns in the fields of rock mechanics and engineering. During the excavation of underground caverns, high in-situ stress and relatively low rock mass strength in combination with large excavation dimensions lead to large deformation of the surrounding rock mass and support. Existing experiences in excavation and support cannot deal with the large deformation of rock mass effectively, and further studies are needed. In this paper, the geological conditions, layout of caverns, and design of excavation and support are first introduced, and then detailed analyses of deformation and failure characteristics of rocks are presented. Based on this, the mechanisms of deformation and failure are discussed, and the support adjustments for controlling rock large deformation and subsequent excavation procedures are proposed. Finally, the effectiveness of support and excavation adjustments to maintain the stability of the rock mass is verified. The measures for controlling the large deformation of surrounding rocks enrich the practical experiences related to the design and construction of large underground openings, and the construction of caverns in the Jinping I hydropower station provides a good case study of large-scale excavation in highly stressed ground with complex geological structures, as well as a reference case for research on rock mechanics.

Constitutive Laws of the Underground Opening Collapse due to Dynamic Load

The constitutive laws of the collapse of underground openings in a rock massif were in-vestigated based on the results of laboratory and field experiments, and computations using ana-lytical and numerical models. It is shown that the principal mechanism of failure of underground openings over important for practice peak particle velocity amplitude range of 1 to 10 m/s is the roof and wall breakage due to the fall of key blocks. Over this load range the material crushing is of considerably less importance. The geometry of discontinuities influences mainly the stability of key blocks. Further caving depends weakly on block structure of near-tunnel zone. The mean volume of fall material is a rather stable quantity for rock massifs of different structures. Lower tunnel sta-bility in the zones of high fracturing is caused by a higher probability of the presence of the unsta-ble key blocks and the decrease of strength characteristics of fractured bounding blocks. The de-crease of average block size is a less important accompanying factor.

Pressure relief of underground ammunition storage under missile accidental ignition

Safety of underground ammunition storage is an important issue,especially during the accidental ignition of missiles.This work investigates the pressure and temperature distribution of the multi-layer underground ammunition storage with a pressure relief duct during the accidental ignition process of the missile.A large-scale experiment was carried out using a multi-layered restricted space with a pressure relief duct to simulate the underground ammunition store and a solid rocket motor to simulate the accidental ignition of the missile.The results show that when the motor gas mass flow increased by5.6 times,the maximum pressure of the ammunition storage increased by 5.87 times.At a certain motor flow rate,when the pressure relief exhaust area at the end of the relief duct was reduced by 1/2,the maximum pressure on the first layer did not change.But the rate of pressure relief was reduced and the time delayed for the pressure of ammunition store to drop to zero.In this experiment,when the motor ignition position was located in to the third layer ammunition chamber,the maximum pressure was reduced by 32.9%and also reduced the rate of change of pressure.In addition,for the experimental conditions,the theoretical analysis of the pressure relief of the ammunition storage is given by a simplified model.Based on the findings,some suggestions to the safety protection design of ammunition store are proposed.

基于FLACS的地下暗厨房燃气爆炸数值模拟

为更好地按抗爆要求设计地下暗厨房,利用FLACS软件建立含地下暗厨房的某民用建筑有限元模型,研究气云尺寸、点火位置、障碍物的形状以及位置和尺寸对燃气爆炸压力的影响,并根据数值模拟结果确定爆炸对暗厨房结构的损伤程度。研究表明:在暗厨房中,随着气云尺寸增大,爆炸对建筑物损坏程度也加大。点火位置在厨房、通风井和客厅时,压力峰值分别为41.9、19.5和3.25 kPa。障碍物的存在会使爆炸产生更大的压力,障碍物截面形状为正方形时的压力峰值远大于圆形和长方形;障碍物越靠近点火位置,压力峰值越大;随着障碍物截面尺寸增加,压力峰值不断升高,电梯区域附近压力峰值上升幅度最大。地下暗厨房燃气爆炸产生的冲击波对地上空间影响大于传统厨房。

屯宝煤矿井下爆破作业有毒有害气体管控方法研究

针对煤矿井下爆破作业有毒有害气体管控难的问题,以屯宝煤矿绞车硐室及瓦斯抽放硐室施工为工程背景,通过利用矿井瓦斯抽放系统、配合设置隔离和搭建气室等措施调整优化施工工艺,采用全新的技术方法,使爆破作业期间气体管控良好,在满足国家规定的基础上,有效对有毒有害气体进行管控,同时极大减少了作业时间,保障了施工安全,增加了工作效率,施工期间未发生气体超限和伤人事故,安全高效解决了炮烟问题,证明该方法安全有效。

基于升降轨SAR数据的地下核爆参数反演与3D形变监测方法

以朝鲜第6次地下核试验为例,基于升降轨ALOS-2 SAR数据,首先利用D-InSAR技术获取核试验场的视线向形变,以此为基础,基于贝叶斯反演方法确定核爆参数,然后引入POT技术测量核试验场方位向和距离向形变,最后,融合D-InSAR与POT结果计算核试验地表三维形变场.研究发现,核爆位于朝鲜丰溪里试验场万塔山下,其坐标为东经129.0792°,北纬41.3026°,深度约为550 m,核爆导致发生水平方向位移约3 m,垂直方向位移约1 m.结果表明天基SAR遥感技术,特别是长波段SAR,在地下核试验监测中具有重要的应用价值,可为地下核试验监测提供新思路.

干砂地基初始应力对爆炸波传播影响的模型试验

为了研究砂土地基初始应力对爆炸波压力峰值、上升时间、传播速度和初始应力动态卸载等传播规律的影响,开展多组干砂地基常重力和超重力爆炸模型试验.试验结果表明,初始自重应力会抑制爆炸波近区压力峰值的增长,而对远区的影响较小.初始应力的增加使得爆炸波上升时间更长,更易由冲击波衰减为弹塑性波,并使得爆炸波波速增大.超重力试验通过还原砂土地基的原型自重应力,能够模拟爆炸荷载诱发砂土地基初始应力动态卸载的过程,形成爆炸压力和土体初始应力动态卸载拉应力的耦合波,动态卸载拉应力持续时间更长.与爆炸波压应力的比冲量相比,初始应力动态卸载拉应力的比冲量随着传播距离的增加逐渐成为爆炸能量的主要部分,其产生的破坏作用不可忽视.

地面爆炸作用下地下综合管廊动力响应的实验研究

为研究地下综合管廊结构的抗外部爆炸性能,针对整体现浇管廊和预制节段拼装管廊结构在地面爆炸作用下的动力响应特性和破坏模式开展了野外爆炸实验研究。通过11个工况的野外爆炸实验,观测了现浇管廊和预制节段拼装管廊在不同比例距离爆炸工况下的破坏特征和动力响应,对比分析了现浇管廊和预制节段拼装管廊的抗爆性能。结果表明:在地面爆炸作用下,现浇管廊和预制节段拼装管廊的顶板最终均出现弯剪破坏,整体现浇管廊的抗爆性能总体上优于预制节段拼装管廊。起爆位置对预制节段拼装管廊爆炸响应的影响较大,在节段中心上方起爆时结构损伤最严重。在小比例距离地面爆炸作用下,现浇管廊的损伤区域大于预制节段拼装管廊,预制节段拼装管廊的损伤集中在近爆心下方所在的节段或连接接缝处,节段间可产生较大残余滑移。