A methodology for damage evaluation of underground tunnels subjected to static loading using numerical modeling

We have proposed a methodology to assess the robustness of underground tunnels against potential failure.This involves developing vulnerability functions for various qualities of rock mass and static loading intensities.To account for these variations,we utilized a Monte Carlo Simulation(MCS)technique coupled with the finite difference code FLAC^(3D),to conduct two thousand seven hundred numerical simulations of a horseshoe tunnel located within a rock mass with different geological strength index system(GSIs)and subjected to different states of static loading.To quantify the severity of damage within the rock mass,we selected one stress-based(brittle shear ratio(BSR))and one strain-based failure criterion(plastic damage index(PDI)).Based on these criteria,we then developed fragility curves.Additionally,we used mathematical approximation techniques to produce vulnerability functions that relate the probabilities of various damage states to loading intensities for different quality classes of blocky rock mass.The results indicated that the fragility curves we obtained could accurately depict the evolution of the inner and outer shell damage around the tunnel.Therefore,we have provided engineers with a tool that can predict levels of damages associated with different failure mechanisms based on variations in rock mass quality and in situ stress state.Our method is a numerically developed,multi-variate approach that can aid engineers in making informed decisions about the robustness of underground tunnels.

Principles and technology for stepwise utilization of resources for mitigating deep mine heat hazards

As is well known, deep mines are hot. As mining depth increases, the temperature of the surrounding rock also increases. This seriously affects mine safety and production and has restricted the exploitation of deep coal resources. Therefore, reducing the working face temperature to improve working conditions by controlling these heat hazards is an urgent problem. Considering problems in cooling deep mines both domestically and abroad along with the actual conditions of the Zhangshuanglou coal mine, we propose a HEMS technology that uses heat resources from deep mines in a stepwise manner. HEMS means a high temperature ex-change machinery system. Mine inrush-water is used as a source of cooling. Twice the energy is extracted from the mine inrush water. Heat is used for building heating in the winter and cold water is used for cooling buildings in the summer. This opens a new technology for stepwise utilization of heat energy in deep mines. Energy conservation and reduced pollution, an improved environment and sustainable economic development are realized by this technique. The economic and social effects are obvious and illustrate a good prospect for the application and extension of the method.

Failure mechanism of pump chambers and their optimized design in deep mining at Qishan Coal Mine

Pump chambers, normally used as dominant structures in mining engineering to insure the safety and production of un-derground coal mines, become generally deformed under conditions of deep mining. Given the geology and engineering condition of Qishan Coal Mine in Xuzhou, the failure characteristics of pump chambers at the –1000 m level show that the main cause can be attributed to the spatial effect induced by intersectional chambers, where one pump is constructed per well. We developed an opti-mized design of the pump room, in which the pump wells in the traditional design are integrated into one compounding well. We suggest that the new design can limit the spatial effect of intersectional chambers during construction given our relevant numerical simulation. The new design is able to simplify the structure of the pump chamber and reduce the amount of excavation required. Based on a bolt-mesh-anchor with a rigid gap coupling supporting technology, the stability of pump chamber can be improved greatly.

The future of rock mechanics lies with China:Inaugural editorial for Rock Mechanics Bulletin

In the past few decades,great achievements on rock mechanics have been made in China,benefiting from the large amount of engineeringprojects in mining engineering,civil engineering,hydraulic engineering,petroleum engineering and engineering geology,along with the fast development of subjects such as mathematics and mechanics.Facing thenew historical era,the engineering construction in China will move to-wards deep space,deep ground and deep sea.Therefore,great challenges emerging from more complex geological conditions and larger-scale en-gineering constructions are expected.