Rock mechanical problems and optimization for the long and deep diversion tunnels at Jinping Ⅱ hydropower station

According to site-specific environments such as high water pressures, high in-situ stresses and strong rockbursts, the design scheme of the long and deep diversion tunnels at Jinping II hydropower station was optimized to ensure construction safety. New drainage tunnels were considered. Furthermore, lining structures and grouting pressures were modified during the excavation of tunnels. The construction scheme was updated dynamically based on the complex geological conditions. For instances, the diversion tunnels were first excavated by drilling and blasting method at the first stage of construction, and then by the combination method of tunnel boring machine （TBM） and drilling and blasting, and finally by drilling and blasting method. Through optimized scheme and updated construction scheme, the excavation of diversion tunnel #1 was successfully completed in June, 2011. This paper summarizes the key issues in rock mechanics associated with the construction of the long and deep diversion tunnels at Jinping II hydropower station. The experiences of design and construction obtained from this project could provide reference to similar projects.

3D Finite Element Analysis of TBM Water Diversion Tunnel Segment Coupled with Seepage Field

In most studies of tunnel boring machine(TBM)tunnelling, the groundwater pressure was not considered, or was simplified and exerted on the boundary of lining structure. Meanwhile, the leakage, which mainly occurs in the segment joints, was often ignored in the relevant studies of TBM tunnelling. Additionally, the geological models in these studies were simplified to different extents, and mostly were simplified as homogenous bodies. Considering the deficiencies above, a 3D refined model of the surrounding rock of a tunnel is firstly established using NURBS-TIN-BRe P hybrid data structure in this paper. Then the seepage field of the surrounding rock considering the leakage in the segment joints is simulated. Finally, the stability of TBM water diversion tunnel is studied coupled with the seepage simulation, to analyze the stress-strain conditions, the axial force and the bending moment of tunnel segment considering the leakage in the segment joints. The results illustrate that the maximum radial displacement, the minimum principal stress, the maximum principal stress and the axial force of segment lining considering the seepage effect are all larger than those disregarding the seepage effect.

Application of the strength reduction FEM to diversion tunnel plug stability

Firstly,the common design principles for diversion tunnel plug are generalized,and two kinds of numerical analysis methods are discussed.Then the strength reduction FEM is introduced in numerical model analysis and the design steps of the plug's length are illustrated.During the progress to determine the plug's length,the equivalent plastic strain on the potential slip surface is assumed as the flag to tell the failure against sliding,and the plug stability is overall estimated from the plastic zone range and connectivity.

INFLUENCE OF LONG AND DEEPLY-BURIED DIVERSION TUNNELS ON THE WATER TEMPERATURE

A 3-D temperature model for diversion tunnel was developed by combining k-εmodel and energy transport e-quation. The actual geometry data of the tunnel was used to construct athree-dimensional computational domain including the concrete lining. As the interaction betweentemperature and velocity fields can be taken into account, the model can be employed to accuratelysimulate the temperature and velocity field. The model was validated with the field data observed inthe diversion tunnel of the Nanya River. The water temperature of the diversion tunnel of theSecond Jinping Cascade Hy-dropower Station to be built was predicted. It is shown that thetemperature increase is not observable due to the large diameter of the tunnel, the big flow rateand the short contact time, The result can provide scientific foundation or reference for the designof hydropower station, and protection strategy of aquatic organisms and aquatic ecosystem.

Numerical simulation of hydrodynamic characteristics during the diversion closure in a horizontal tunnel

Based on water inrush accident of 1841 working face of Desheng Coal Mine in Wu'an, Hebei province, China, an evaluation model of hydrodynamic characteristics of the project is set up and simulated using Matlab. It is assumed that the pipe flow would transform into seepage flow when the aggregates are plugged into the water inrush channel and the seepage flow would disappear along with grouting process. The simulation results show that the flow velocity will increase with an increase in height of aggregates accumulation body during the aggregates filling process; the maximum seepage velocity occurs on the top of plugging zone; and the water flow decreases with increasing plugging height of water inrush channel. Finally, the field construction results show that the water inrush channel can be plugged effectively by the compacted body prepared with aggregate and cement slurry.

Analysis of the Stability and Mechanical Characteristics of the Jointed Surrounding Rock and Lining Structure of a Deeply Buried Hydraulic Tunnel

On-site monitoring and numerical simulation have been combined to analyze the stability of the jointed surrounding rock and the stress inside the lining structure of a sample deeply buried hydraulic tunnel.We show that the deformation around the tunnel was mainly concentrated in the range 51.37 mm∼66.73 mm,the tunnel circumference was dominated by shear failure,and the maximum plastic zone was about 3.90 m.When the shotcrete treatment was performed immediately after the excavation,the deformation of the surrounding rock was reduced by 58.94%∼76.31%,and the extension of the plastic zone was relatively limited,thereby leading to improvements in terms of the stability of surrounding rock.When the support was provided at different time points,the stress of the surrounding rock in the shallow part of the tunnel was improved everywhere.In the tunnel section with high ground stress and joint development,when 10 cm steel fiber concrete spray layer and 40 cm C25 concrete secondary lining were used,the maximum tensile stress on the lining structure was 0.89 MPa,i.e.,it was less than the tensile strength of concrete,which indicates that the internal force of the lining can meet the overall requirements.

Unloading performances and stabilizing practices for columnar jointed basalt:A case study of Baihetan hydropower station

The columnar jointed rock mass(CJR), composed of polygonal cross-sectional columns cut by several groups of joints in various directions, was exposed during the excavations of the Baihetan hydropower station, China. In order to investigate the unloading performances and the stability conditions during excavation of the columns, an experimental field study was performed. Firstly, on-site investigations indicated that the geotechnical problems, including rock relaxation, cracking and collapse, were the most prominent for the CJR Class I that contains intensive joint network and the smallest column sizes.Comprehensive field tests, including deformation measurement by multi-point extensometers, ultrasonic wave testing, borehole television observation and stress monitoring of rock anchors, revealed that the time-dependent relaxation of the CJRs was marked. The practical excavation experiences for the Baihetan columnar jointed rock masses, such as blasting scheme, supporting time of shotcrete and rock bolts, were presented in the excavations of the diversion tunnels. These detailed investigations and practical construction experiences can provide helpful information for similar geotechnical works in jointed rock mass.

锦江水电站导流隧洞断面选择研究

以层次分析法与模糊数学相结合,综合考虑各种定性定量因素,对广东省锦江水电站导流隧洞的断面进行优选,得到了满意的结果。