Numerical investigation of geostress influence on the grouting reinforcement effectiveness of tunnel surrounding rock mass in fault fracture zones

Grouting is a widely used approach to reinforce broken surrounding rock mass during the construction of underground tunnels in fault fracture zones,and its reinforcement effectiveness is highly affected by geostress.In this study,a numerical manifold method(NMM)based simulator has been developed to examine the impact of geostress conditions on grouting reinforcement during tunnel excavation.To develop this simulator,a detection technique for identifying slurry migration channels and an improved fluid-solid coupling(FeS)framework,which considers the influence of fracture properties and geostress states,is developed and incorporated into a zero-thickness cohesive element(ZE)based NMM(Co-NMM)for simulating tunnel excavation.Additionally,to simulate coagulation of injected slurry,a bonding repair algorithm is further proposed based on the ZE model.To verify the accuracy of the proposed simulator,a series of simulations about slurry migration in single fractures and fracture networks are numerically reproduced,and the results align well with analytical and laboratory test results.Furthermore,these numerical results show that neglecting the influence of geostress condition can lead to a serious over-estimation of slurry migration range and reinforcement effectiveness.After validations,a series of simulations about tunnel grouting reinforcement and tunnel excavation in fault fracture zones with varying fracture densities under different geostress conditions are conducted.Based on these simula-tions,the influence of geostress conditions and the optimization of grouting schemes are discussed.

Deformation mechanism and NPR anchor cable truss coupling support in tunnel through fault fracture zone

To address the issue of extensive deformation in the Tabaiyi Tunnel caused by the fault zone,nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)technology was employed to analyze the physical and mechanical properties of waterabsorbing mudstone.This analysis aimed to understand the mechanism behind the significant deformations.Drawing from the principle of excavation stress compensation,a support scheme featuring NPR anchorcables and an asymmetric truss support system was devised.To validate the scheme,numerical analysis using a combination of the Discrete Element Method(DEM)-Finite Element Method(FEM)was conducted.Additionally,similar material model tests and engineering measurements were carried out.Field experiments were also performed to evaluate the NPR anchor-cable and truss support system,focusing on anchor cable forces,pressures between the truss and surrounding rock,pressures between the initial support and secondary lining,as well as the magnitude of settlement and convergence deformation in the surrounding rock.The results indicate that the waterinduced expansion of clay minerals,resulting from damage caused by fissure water,accelerated the softening of the mudstone's internal structure,leading to significant deformations in the Tabaiyi Tunnel under high tectonic stress.The original support design fell short as the length of the anchor rods was smaller than the expansion depth of the plastic zone.As a result,the initial support structure bore the entire load from the surrounding rock,and a non-coupled deformation contact was observed between the double-arch truss and the surrounding rock.The adoption of NPR asymmetric anchor-cable support effectively restrained the expansion and asymmetric distribution characteristics of the plastic zone.Considering the mechanical degradation caused by water absorption in mudstone,the rigid constraint provided by the truss proved crucial for controlling the stability of the surrounding rock.These research findings hold significant implications for managing large deformations in soft rock tunnels situated within fractured zones under high tectonic stress conditions.

Research of the electrical anisotropic characteristics of water-conducting fractured zones in coal seams

Water flooding disasters are one of the five natural coal-mining disasters that threaten the lives of coal miners. The main causes of this flooding are water-conducting fractured zones within coal seams. However, when resistivity methods are used to detect water-conducting fractured zones in coal seams, incorrect conclusions can be drawn because of electrical anisotropy within the water-conducting fractured zones. We present, in this paper, a new geo-electrical model based on the geology of water-conducting fractured zones in coal seams. Factors that influence electrical anisotropy were analyzed, including formation water resistivity, porosity, fracture density, and fracture surface roughness, pressure, and dip angle. Numerical simulation was used to evaluate the proposed electrical method. The results demonstrate a closed relationship between the shape of apparent resistivity and the strike and dip of a fracture. Hence, the findings of this paper provide a practical resistivity method for coal-mining production.

Relationship between Remotely Sensed Vegetation Change and Fracture Zones Induced by the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake, China

The Wenchuan earthquake triggered cascading disasters of landslides and debris flows that caused severe vegetation damage. Fracture zones can affect geodynamics and spatial pattern of vegetation damage. A segment tracing algorithm method was applied for identifying the regional fracture system through lineament extractions from a shaded digital elevation model with 25 m mesh for southern Wenchuan. Remote sensing and geographic information system techniques were used to analyze the spatiotemporal vegetation pattern. The relationship between vegetation type identified from satellite images and lineament density was used to characterize the distribution patterns of each vegetation type according to fracture zones. Broad-leaved forest, mixed forest, and farmland persist in areas with moderate lineament density. Deciduous broad-leaved and coniferous forest persists in less frac- tured areas. Shrub and meadow seem to be relatively evenly distributed across all lineament densities.Meadow, farmland, and shrub persist in the fractured areas. Changes of spatial structure and correlation between vegetation patterns before and after the earthquake were examined using semivariogram analysis of normalized difference vegetation indices derived from Landsat enhanced thematic mapper images. The sill values of the semivariograms show that the spatial heterogeneity of vegetation covers increased after the earthquake. Moreover, the anisotropic behaviors of the semivariograms coincide with the vegetation changes due to the strikes of fracture zones.

Formation mechanism and height calculation of the caved zone and water-conducting fracture zone in solid backfill mining

To study the heights of the caved zone and water-conducting fracture zone in backfill mining,the failure mechanism of strata during backfill mining was analyzed,and a method for determining the heights of the two zones was proposed based on key strata theory.The movement and failure regularity of the strata above the backfilling panel were revealed through numerical simulation.Considering the geologic conditions of the CT101 backfilling panel,the height of the fracture zone was determined using the proposed method along with empirical calculation,numerical simulation,and borehole detection.The results of the new calculation method were similar to in situ measurements.The traditional empirical formula,which is based on the equivalent mining height model,resulted in large errors during calculation.The findings indicate the reliability of the new method and demonstrate its significance for creating reference data for related studies.

In-situ observations of damage-fracture evolution in surrounding rock upon unloading in 2400-m-deep tunnels

The damage-fracture evolution of deep rock mass has obvious particularity,which is revealed in 2400-mdeep tunnels by field tests.The evolution of the excavation damaged zone depth is consistent with that of the fractured zone depth.The ratio of the excavation damaged zone depth to the excavation fractured zone depth is greater than 2.0 in a rock mass with both high strength and good integrity,but less than1.5 in a rock mass with lower strength or poor integrity.Zonal disintegration in a rock mass with high strength and fair integrity is more likely to occur when it contains more than two groups of primary fractures in damaged zones.Fractures develop outward in zonal disintegration but are totally different from the single-zone fracture,in which the fractures develop inward,and it is the starting position of the fractured zone when the excavation surface of the middle pilot is 7–9 m close to the pre-set borehole and it stops after the excavation surface of the baseplate is 11–14 m away.The most intense evolution occurs around 2–4 m from the pre-set borehole in the sidewall expansion stage.The research results provide a reference for the monitoring scheme and support design of CJPL-Ⅲin its future construction.

Predicting the height of water-flow fractured zone during coal mining under the Xiaolangdi Reservoir

It is very important to determine the extent of the fractured zone through which water can flow before coal mining under the water bodies.This paper deals with methods to obtain information about overburden rock failure and the development of the fractured zone while coal mining in Xin'an Coal Mine.The risk of water inrush in this mine is great because 40%of the mining area is under the Xiaolangdi reservoir.Numerical simulations combined with geophysical methods were used in this paper to obtain the development law of the fractured zone under different mining conditions.The comprehensive geophysical method described in this paper has been demonstrated to accurately predict the height of the water-flow fractured zone.Results from the new model, which created from the results of numerical simulations and field measurements,were successfully used for making decisions in the Xin'an Coal Mine when mining under the Xiaolangdi Reservoir.Industrial scale experiments at the number 11201,14141 and 14191 working faces were safely carried out.These achievements provide a successful background for the evaluation and application of coal mining under large reservoirs.

A fracture model for assessing tensile mode crack growth resistance of rocks

Evaluating the fracture resistance of rocks is essential for predicting and preventing catastrophic failure of cracked structures in rock engineering.This investigation developed a brittle fracture model to predict tensile mode(mode I)failure loads of cracked rocks.The basic principle of the model is to estimate the reference crack corresponding to the fracture process zone(FPZ)based on the maximum normal strain(MNSN)ahead of the crack tip,and then use the effective crack to calculate the fracture toughness.We emphasize that the non-singular stress/strain terms should be considered in the description of the MNSN.In this way,the FPZ,non-singular terms and the biaxial stress state at the crack tip are simul-taneously considered.The principle of the model is explicit and easy to apply.To verify the proposed model,laboratory experiments were performed on a rock material using six groups of specimens.The model predicted the specimen geometry dependence of the measured fracture toughness well.More-over,the potential of the model in analyzing the size effect of apparent fracture toughness was discussed and validated through experimental data reported in the literature.The model was demonstrated su-perior to some commonly used fracture models and is an excellent tool for the safety assessment of cracked rock structures.

A method for predicting the water-flowing fractured zone height based on an improved key stratum theory

In the process of using the original key stratum theory to predict the height of a water-flowing fractured zone(WFZ),the influence of rock strata outside the calculation range on the rock strata within the calculation range as well as the fact that the shape of the overburden deformation area will change with the excavation length are ignored.In this paper,an improved key stratum theory(IKS theory)was proposed by fixing these two shortcomings.Then,a WFZ height prediction method based on IKS theory was established and applied.First,the range of overburden involved in the analysis was determined according to the tensile stress distribution range above the goaf.Second,the key stratum in the overburden involved in the analysis was identified through IKS theory.Finally,the tendency of the WFZ to develop upward was determined by judging whether or not the identified key stratum will break.The proposed method was applied and verified in a mining case study,and the reasons for the differences in the development patterns between the WFZs in coalfields in Northwest and East China were also fully explained by this method.

Height prediction of water-flowing fracture zone with a geneticalgorithm support-vector-machine method

Prediction of the height of a water-flowing fracture zone(WFFZ)is the foundation for evaluating water bursting conditions on roof coal.By taking the Binchang mining area as the study area and conducting an in-depth study of the influence of coal seam thickness,burial depth,working face length,and roof category on the height of a WFFZ,we proposed that the proportion of hard rock in different roof ranges should be used to characterise the influence of roof category on WFFZ height.Based on data of WFFZ height and its influence index obtained from field observations,a prediction model is established for WFFZ height using a combination of a genetic algorithm and a support-vector machine.The reliability and superiority of the prediction model were verified by a comparative study and an engineering application.The results show that the main factors affecting WFFZ height in the study area are coal seam thickness,burial depth,working face length,and roof category.Compared with multiple-linear-regression and back-propagation neural-network approaches,the height-prediction model of the WFFZ based on a genetic-algorithm support-vector-machine method has higher training and prediction accuracy and is more suitable for WFFZ prediction in the mining area.

Fractal Feature of Western Fracture Zone in Xikuangshan Antimony Mine and its Geological Significance

In Xikuangshan antimony ore-field, the western fracture zone is a composite of major fault, F75, and its secondary faults, such as F71, F72 and F3 etc.. On plane, the fracture zone scatters from southwest to northeast, and concentrates from upper to deeper level on profile. All ore-bodies exist in the carbonate of footwall of the major fault or that of the footwall of its secondary faults. From 480 m and 320 m to 120 m level, the fractal dimensional number of the fault system decreases from 1.482 2 and 1.448 6 to 1.339 2, which indicates the form of fracture zone becoming more simple at deeper level. And in five sub-ranges, the III and IV sub-ranges are the known area, and the I, II and V sub-ranges are unknown. The fractal studies of the western fracture zone in these sub-ranges show that the fractal dimensional numbers of the I and II, being 1.201 5 and 1.278 0, respectively, are smaller than that of the III and IV, being 1.475 9 and 1.576 9, respectively; and that of the V, being 1.571 2, keeps with that of the III, IV sub-ranges. So mineralization is not well in I and II sub-ranges, and V sub-range is the best to benefit mineralization.

Fractured zone height of longwall mining and its effects on the overburden aquifers

As mining depth becomes deeper and deeper,the possibility of undermining overburden aquifers is increasing.It is very important for coal miners to undertake studies on the height of fractured zone during longwall mining and the effects of longwall mining on the underground water while mining under surface water bodies and underground aquifers.In order to study this problem,piezometers for monitoring underground water levels were installed above the longwall panels in an American coalmine.Large amounts of pre-mining,during mining and post-mining monitoring data were collected.Based on the data,the heights of fractured zones were obtained and the effects of longwall mining on the underground water were studied.The results demonstrate that when the piezometer monitoring wells had an interburden thickness of less than 72.7 m,the groundwater level decreased immediately to immeasurable levels and the wells went dry after undermining the face of longwall.The height of the fractured zone is 72.7-85.3 m in the geological and mining conditions.The results also show that the calculated values of fractured zones by the empirical formulae used in China are smaller than the actual results.Therefore,it is not always safe to use them for analyses while mining under water bodies.

Fracture development around deep underground excavations: Insights from FDEM modelling

Over the past twenty years, there has been a growing interest in the development of numerical modelsthat can realistically capture the progressive failure of rock masses. In particular, the investigation ofdamage development around underground excavations represents a key issue in several rock engineeringapplications, including tunnelling, mining, drilling, hydroelectric power generation, and the deepgeological disposal of nuclear waste. The goal of this paper is to show the effectiveness of a hybrid finitediscreteelement method （FDEM） code to simulate the fracturing mechanisms associated with theexcavation of underground openings in brittle rock formations. A brief review of the current state-of-theartmodelling approaches is initially provided, including the description of selecting continuum- anddiscontinuum-based techniques. Then, the influence of a number of factors, including mechanical and insitu stress anisotropy, as well as excavation geometry, on the simulated damage is analysed for threedifferent geomechanical scenarios. Firstly, the fracture nucleation and growth process under isotropicrock mass conditions is simulated for a circular shaft. Secondly, the influence of mechanical anisotropy onthe development of an excavation damaged zone （EDZ） around a tunnel excavated in a layered rockformation is considered. Finally, the interaction mechanisms between two large caverns of an undergroundhydroelectric power station are investigated, with particular emphasis on the rock mass responsesensitivity to the pillar width and excavation sequence. Overall, the numerical results indicate that FDEMsimulations can provide unique geomechanical insights in cases where an explicit consideration offracture and fragmentation processes is of paramount importance. 2014 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural failure mechanism and strengthening method of fracture plugging zone for lost circulation control in deep naturally fractured reservoirs

Focused on the lost circulation control in deep naturally fractured reservoirs, the multiscale structure of fracture plugging zone is proposed based on the theory of granular matter mechanics, and the structural failure pattern of plugging zone is developed to reveal the plugging zone failure mechanisms in deep, high temperature, high pressure, and high in-situ stress environment. Based on the fracture plugging zone strength model, key performance parameters are determined for the optimal selection of loss control material(LCM). Laboratory fracture plugging experiments with new LCM are carried out to evaluate the effect of the key performance parameters of LCM on fracture plugging quality. LCM selection strategy for fractured reservoirs is developed. The results show that the force chain formed by LCMs determines the pressure stabilization of macro-scale fracture plugging zone. Friction failure and shear failure are the two major failure patterns of fracture plugging zone. The strength of force chain depends on the performance of micro-scale LCM, and the LCM key performance parameters include particle size distribution, fiber aspect ratio, friction coefficient, compressive strength, soluble ability and high temperature resistance. Results of lab experiments and field test show that lost circulation control quality can be effectively improved with the optimal material selection based on the extracted key performance parameters of LCMs.

Development of fractures in soft rock surrounding a roadway and their control

As the excavation of roadway, new fractures will be formed and the pre-existing fractures extend with the redistribution of stress in surrounding rocks. Eventually, fracture zone and bed separation are formed in rocks because of the developed fractures. Therefore, mastering the fracture evolution of surrounding rocks is very important to maintain the stability of roadway. The surrounding rocks of main haulage road- way in a certain coal mine is so broken and loose that the supporting is very difficult. Based on compre- hensive anal[ysis of the engineering geological conditions, a sight instrument was used to observe the fractures of internal surrounding rocks, Four indices, i.e., the width of fracture zone W, the number of fractures n, the width of fractures d and rock fracture designation RFD, are put forward to evaluate the fracture dewelopment. According to the evolution rules of the soft rock roadway from this paper, control principles by stages and by regions are presented through the research. At the same time, the best time of grouting reinforcement is determined on the basis of fracture saturation. Field practice shows that the roadway can satisfy normal production during service periods by suitable first support and grouting reinforcement.

Structural formation and evolution mechanisms of fracture plugging zone

A coupled CFD-DEM method is used to simulate the formation process of fracture plugging zone.A photo-elastic system characterizing mesoscale force chain network developed by our own is used to model the pressure evolution in fracture plugging zone to reveal the evolution mechanism of the structure of fracture plugging zone.A theoretical basis is provided for improving the lost circulation control effect in fractured reservoirs and novel methods are proposed for selecting loss control materials and designing loss control formula.CFD-DEM simulation results show that bridging probability is the key factor determining the formation of fracture plugging zone and fracture plugging efficiency.Critical and absolute bridging concentrations are proposed as the key indexes for loss control formula design.With the increase of absolute bridging concentration,the governing factor of bridging is changed from material grain size to the combination of material grain size and friction force.Results of photo-elastic experiments show that mesoscale force chain network is the intrinsic factor affecting the evolution of pressure exerting on the fracture plugging zone and determines the macroscopic strength of fracture plugging zone.Performance parameters of loss control material affect the force chain network structure and the ratio of stronger force chain,and further impact the stability and strength of fracture plugging zone.Based on the study results,the loss control formula is optimized and new-type loss control material is designed.Laboratory experiments results show that the fracture plugging efficiency and strength is effectively improved.

Analysis of fracture process zone in brittle rock subjected to shear-compressive loading

An analytical expression for the prediction of shear-compressive fracture process zone(SCFPZ) is derived by using a proposed local strain energy density criterion, in which the strain energy density is separated into the dilatational and distortional strain energy density, only the former is considered to contribute to the brittle fracture of rock in different loading cases. The theoretical prediction by this criterion shows that the SCFPZ is of asymmetric mulberry leaf in shape, which forms a shear-compression fracture kern. Dilatational strain energy density along the boundary of SCFPZ reaches its maximum value. The dimension of SCFPZ is governed by the ratio of K_Ⅱ to (K_Ⅰ.) The analytical results are then compared with those from literatures and the tests conducted on double edge cracked Brazilian disk subjected to diametrical compression. The obtained results are useful to the prediction of crack extension and to nonlinear analysis of shear-compressive fracture of brittle rock.

Early Pliocene Paleoceanography of the Vityaz Fracture Zone,Central Indian Ridge

Planktic foraminifera from the calcareous substrate of a ferromanganese crust in the Vityaz Fracture Zone （VFZ）, Central Indian Ridge were studied to reconstruct the early Pliocene paleoceanography of this region. Eleven species of planktic foraminifera were encountered, among them Globorotalia menardii, Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, Globigerina bulloides and Globigerinoides tuber are prominent. Predominance of N. dutertrei in the top 3 cm of the carbonate substrate is attributed to an influx of fresh water which eventually triggered their productivity by increasing the nutrient level. The presence of G. bulloides and G. menardii in significant proportions in deeper layers suggests the prevalence of open ocean upwelling. The bulk chemical compositions of the substrate at different depth intervals indicates higher enrichment of trace metals in the upper sections which could have been supplied through oceanic water by the chemical weathering of terrestrial matter during the peak of Pliocene Asian monsoon. Thus, it is concluded that during the early Pliocene the biogenic components of the substrate were distinctly contributed by both upwelling and productivity triggered by an influx of fresh water originating from the intensification of the Asian monsoon during the early Pliocene Period.

Response of underground pipeline through fault fracture zone to random ground motion

It is assumed that a pipeline is laid through a vertical fault fracture zone, and is excited by seismic ground motion modelled as stationary stochastic process. For horizontal incidence of waves, the cross-PSD （Power Spectral Density） function is developed using wave propagation theory, while for vertical incidence of waves the cross-PSD function is composed by auto-PSD model, coherence model and site response model. As the seismic input, the eross-PSD function is used to calculate the the axial and lateral seismic responses of underground pipeline through the fracture zone. The results show that the incident directions of seismic waves, width and soil property of the fracture zone have great influence on underground pipeline. It is suggested that the flexible joints with appropriate stiffness should be added into the pipeline near the interfaces between the fracture zone and the surrounded media.

ROCK FRACTURE PROCESS ZONE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON MODEⅡFRACTURE BEHAVIOR

On the basis of that rock material usually has a larger fracture process zone,a new fracture criterion which is different from that of linear elastic fracture theory was presented.On this basis,the fracture behavior and influencing factors under modeⅡor compressive shear loading were investigated.