共通地质模型和虚拟现实在地下工程规划与设计中的应用

在矿山、地下发电站、地下核废料处理设施、地铁等地下工程的规划与设计过程中,需要把勘探(例如地质、地球物理、地球化学、地质统计、地下水、岩石特性)、工程(例如开挖布局、几何形状、应力、变形)和施工(例如工期、造价)的空间n维数据综合起来,以便作出合理的工程决策。随着勘测、分析计算与观测技术的不断提高,工程数据量和复杂程度与日俱增,在很多情况下人们仅仅利用现有数据的一小部分做出工程决策。最近,加拿大劳伦森大学开设了标志着目前科技最高水平的虚拟现实合作实验室。该虚拟现实实验室为地下工程规划和设计中所遇到的数据综合与解释提供一个独特的环境和设备,并通过将深层探矿调查及大型矿山规划和设计的例子来进一步展示如何把共通地质模型和虚拟现实这个独特的工具运用到地下工程的规划与设计中,以便领会复杂数据的空间关系,实现附加价值(如项目范围的数据综合化,改善对三维图形的理解,减少重复设计,加强项目小组之间的合作等)。最后,介绍在工程项目整体数据综合、矿山设计检验、岩石支护设计以及加拿大劳伦森大学地质力学研究中心开发的地质力学设计准则的三维可视化方面的成果和经验。

Strength of massive to moderately jointed hard rock masses

The Hoek-Brown (HB) failure criterion and the geological strength index (GSI) were developed for the estimation of rock mass strength in jointed and blocky ground where rock mass failure is dominated by sliding along open joints and rotation of rock blocks. In massive, veined and moderately jointed rock in which rock blocks cannot form without failure of intact rock, the approach to obtain HB parameters must be modified. Typical situations when these modifications are required include the design of pillars, excavation and cavern stability, strainburst potential assessment, and tunnel support in deep underground conditions (around σ1/σci > 0.15, where σ1 is the major principal compressive stress and σci is the unconfined compressive strength of the homogeneous rock) in hard brittle rocks with GSI ≥ 65. In this article, the strength of massive to moderately jointed hard rock masses is investigated, and an approach is presented to estimate the rock mass strength envelope using laboratory data from uniaxial and triaxial compressive strength tests without reliance on the HB-GSI equations. The data from tests on specimens obtained from massive to moderately jointed heterogeneous (veined) rock masses are used to obtain the rock and rock mass strengths at confining stress ranges that are relevant for deep tunnelling and mining;and a methodology is presented for this purpose from laboratory data alone. By directly obtaining the equivalent HB rock mass strength envelope for massive to moderately jointed rock from laboratory tests, the HB-GSI rock mass strength estimation approach is complemented for conditions where the GSIequations are not applicable. Guidance is also provided on how to apply the proposed approach when laboratory test data are not or not yet available.

Deformation-based support design for highly stressed ground with a focus on rockburst damage mitigation

As mines go deeper,mine designs become more fragile and effective rock support becomes a strategic element for ground control to facilitate timely construction and cost-effective access for uninterrupted production.This article focuses on the design of integrated support systems for brittle ground when large displacements due to gradual bulking of stress-fractured rock or sudden violent bulking during rockbursts are induced by static and dynamic loading.It provides an overview of support design principles for a rational approach to ground control in deep mines when large deformations are anticipated near excavations.Such designs must not only account for load equilibrium but also for deformation compatibility.Most importantly,the design approach must account for the fact that the support’s displacement capacity is being consumed as it is deformed after support installation.It is therefore necessary to design for the remnant support capacity,i.e.the capacity remaining when the support is needed.Furthermore,if the support capacity can be consumed,it can also be restored by means of preventive support maintenance(PSM).The PSM concept for cost-effective ground control is introduced and illustrated by quantitative and operational evidence.Contrary to other design approaches,the deformation-based support design(DBSD)approach provides the capacity of an integrated support system as a function of imposed displacements.Reduction in this support capacity due to mininginduced deformation renders excavations increasingly more vulnerable if located within the influence of active mining and seismic activity.Because deformation measurements are robust indicators of the decay in support capacity,scanning and other displacement monitoring technologies enable measurements to verify the DBSD approach,to assess the remnant safety margin of the deformed support,and to make operational support maintenance decisions.

An operational approach to ground control in deep mines

As mines go deeper and get larger,mine designs become more fragile largely due to the response of the rock mass to mining.Ground control and rock support become important levers in the mine construction schedule,production performance,and excavation health.For example,in cave mines,the production footprint together with associated mine infrastructure are significant investments in a modern caving operation.This investment must be protected and maintained to reduce the risk of ground-related production disruptions.It is necessary to preserve the health of these excavations and their maintenance through an effective rock support design.Rock support thus becomes a strategic element in asset management.This article focuses on support design for brittle ground when displacements induced by stress-fracturing consume much of the support’s capacity.It deals with the functionality of the support in deforming ground.Several interlinked concepts are important when assessing excavation health.Designs must not only account for load equilibrium but also for deformation compatibility and capacity consumption.Most importantly,the support’s displacement capacity is being consumed when the rock mass is deformed after support installation.Hence,it is necessary to design for the support capacity remaining at the time when the support is needed.If support capacity can be consumed,it can also be restored by means of preventive support maintenance(PSM).This concept for cost-effective ground control is introduced and illustrated on operational evidence.Furthermore,how design can impact construction costs and schedule are discussed.Support is installed to provide a safe environment and preserve an operationally functional excavation.It also must assure senior management that investments in high quality support and its maintenance will substantially reduce delays and with it,costs.It is demonstrated that the use of‘gabion-like’support systems can achieve these goals.A technical summary of the‘gabion panel’support system design is presented.

根据洞室开挖引起的应力变化确定原岩应力

原岩应力状态是地下工程开挖的重要设计参数,它由主应力的大小和方向确定。通常的原岩应力测试方法,如套芯法,都只能得到小范围内的测量资料,且费用很大。本文介绍了一种大范围岩体的地下洞室应力测试方法,这是一种典型的区域应力测量方法。该法要求测出洞室开挖所引起的应力变化。通过把实测应力变化同理论预测的应力变化进行比较而拟合出原岩应力场。通过在两组应力变化值之间得出一个误差函数,使误差趋于极小而求解。本文通过一个具收敛解的圆形洞室的实例来阐述这种方法及其应用。工程实例研究表明,该法具有很大的潜在优势。所得反分析值与大量套芯法实测值相当一致。与常规方法相比,这种新方法有如下优点:(1)应力资料可在工程进展中随时得到校正;(2)测得的是大范围岩体而不是某个点的应力状态;(3)最重要的是费用相对较低。