Estimation of the three-dimensional in situ stress field around a large deep underground cavern group near a valley

Understanding three-dimensional(3D)in situ stress field is of key importance for estimating the stability of large deep underground cavern groups near valleys.However,the complete 3D in situ stress fields around large deep underground cavern groups are difficult to determine based on in situ stress data from a limited number of measuring points due to the insufficient representativeness and unreliability of such measurements.In this study,an integrated approach for estimating the 3D in situ stress field around a large deep underground cavern group near a valley is developed based on incomplete in situ stress measurements and the stress-induced failures of tunnels excavated prior to the step excavation of the cavern group.This integrated approach is implemented via four interrelated and progressive basic steps,i.e.inference of the regional tectonic stress field direction,analyses of in situ stress characteristics and measurement reliability,regression-based in situ stress field analysis and reliability assessment,and modified in situ stress field analysis and reliability verification.The orientations and magnitudes of the 3D in situ stress field can be analyzed and obtained at a strategic level following these four basic steps.First,the tectonic stress field direction around the cavern group is deduced in accordance with the regional tectonic framework and verified using a regional crustal deformation velocity map.Second,the reliability of the in situ stress measurements is verified based on the locations and depths of stressinduced brittle failures in small tunnels(such as exploratory tunnels and pilot tunnels)within the excavation range of the cavern group.Third,considering the influences of the valley topography and major geological structures,the 3D in situ stress field is regressed using numerical simulation and multiple linear regression techniques based on the in situ stress measurements.Finally,the regressed in situ stress field is further modified and reverified based on the stress-induced brittle failures of small tunnels and the initial excavation of the cavern group.A case study of the Shuangjiangkou underground cavern group demonstrates that the proposed approach is reliable for estimating the 3D in situ stress fields of large deep underground cavern groups near valleys,thus contributing to the optimization of practical excavation and design of mitigating the instability of the surrounding rock masses during step excavations.

A local homogenization approach for simulating the reinforcement effect of the fully grouted bolt in deep underground openings

Fully grouted bolts are a key component of the support system for underground openings.Although considerable effort has been made in the simulation of the reinforcement effect of the fully grouted bolts on the rock masses surrounding underground openings,most of the work has limited significance since the structural element approach is used.This study proposes a local homogenization approach(L-H approach)that integrates elastoplastic mechanics,composite mechanics,and analytical approaches with numerical simulation to effectively simulate the reinforcement effect of the fully grouted bolt on deep surrounding rock masses.In the L-H approach,the representative volume of bolted rock mass(RVBRM)with a fully grouted bolt is established based on the original mesh model utilized in the rockbolt element approach.The RVBRM is a regular quadrangular prism with a cross-sectional size equal to the bolt spacing and a length equal to the bolt length.The RVBRM is homogenized by the L-H approach from a unidirectional bolt-reinforced composite into a homogeneous transversely isotropic medium whose mechanical properties are described by a new transversely isotropic elastoplastic model.The L-H parameters for the RVBRM are obtained using analytical approaches,composite mechanics,and known parameters of the rock mass and bolt.Using the L-H approach,the reinforcement effect of the fully grouted bolt on the bolted rock specimen and the surrounding rock mass in Jinping II Diversion Tunnel#2 with a depth greater than 2000 m is simulated.The results show that the predictions of the L-H approach are more in agreement with the physical model results of bolted rock specimen and provide a more realistic response of the bolted surrounding rock mass.The L-H approach demonstrates that fully grouted bolts with common bolt spacings and diameters substantially enhance the elastic modulus,shear strength,and tensile strength of the rock mass in the direction of the bolt axis.

Shear testing on rock tunnel models under constant normal stress conditions

Large shear deformation problems are frequently encountered in geotechnical engineering.To expose the shear failure mechanism of rock tunnels,compression-shear tests for rock models with circular tunnel were carried out,including single tunnel and adjacent double tunnels.The failure process is recorded by the external video and miniature cameras around the tunnel,accompanied by real-time acoustic emission monitoring.The experiments indicate that the shearing processes of rock tunnel can be divided into four steps:(i)cracks appeared around tunnels,(ii)shear cracks and spalling ejection developed,(iii)floor warping occurred,and(iv)shear cracks ran through the tunnel model.Besides,the roughness of the sheared fracture surface decreased with the increase in normal stress.Corresponding numerical simulation indicates that there are tensile stress concentrations and compressive stress concentrations around the tunnel during the shearing process,while the compressive stress concentration areas are under high risk of failure and the existence of adjacent tunnels will increase the degree of stress concentration.