Evaluating the characteristics of geological structures in karst groundwater inflow, Nowsud Tunnel

Highly permeable geological structures such as dissolution channels, open fractures, and faults create environmental challenges regard to hydrological and hydrogeological aspects of underground construction, often causing significant groundwater inflow during drilling due to the limitations of empirical and analytical methods. This study aims to identify the geological factors influencing water flow into the tunnel. High-flow zones' geological features have been identified and examined for this purpose. According to the geological complexity of the Nowsud tunnel, presence of different formations with different permeability and karstification have led to a high volume of underground inflow water (up to 4700 L/s) to the tunnel. The Nowsud tunnel faces significant geological and hydrogeological challenges due to its passage through the Ilam formation's LI2 unit, characterized by dissolution channels, faults, and fractures. The highest inflow rate (4700 L/s) occurred in the Hz-9 zone within the Zimkan anticline. The relationship between geological features and groundwater inflow indicates that anticlines are more susceptible to inflow than synclines. Additionally, different types of faults exhibit varying hydraulic effects, with strike-slip faults having the most significant impact on groundwater inflow, thrust faults conducting less water into the tunnel, and inflow through normal faults being negligible compared to the other two types of faults. The novelty of this paper lies in its detailed analysis of geological features influencing groundwater inflow into the Nowsud tunnel, providing empirical data on high-flow zones and differentiating the hydraulic effects of various fault types, which enhances the understanding and prediction of groundwater inflow in underground constructions.

New empirical model to evaluate groundwater flow into circular tunnel using multiple regression analysis

There are various analytical, empirical and numerical methods to calculate groundwater inflow into tun- nels excavated in rocky media. Analytical methods have been widely applied in prediction of groundwa- ter inflow to tunnels due to their simplicity and practical base theory. Investigations show that the real amount of water infiltrating into jointed tunnels is much less than calculated amount using analytical methods and obtained results are very dependent on tunnel＇s geometry and environmental situations. In this study, using multiple regression analysis, a new empirical model for estimation of groundwater seepage into circular tunnels was introduced. Our data was acquired from field surveys and laboratory analysis of core samples. New regression variables were defined after perusing single and two variables relationship between groundwater seepage and other variables. Finally, an appropriate model for estima- tion of leakage was obtained using the stepwise algorithm. Statistics like R, R2, R2e and the histogram of residual values in the model represent a good reputation and fitness for this model to estimate the groundwater seepage into tunnels. The new experimental model was used for the test data and results were satisfactory. Therefore, multiple regression analysis is an effective and efficient way to estimate the groundwater seeoage into tunnels.

Analytical solution for steady seepage into a circular deep-buried mountain tunnel with grouted zone in anisotropic strata

Due to the existence of a large number of discontinuous fractures and interfaces in tunnel surrounding rocks,the groundwater inflow into tunnel generally presents significant anisotropy.Therefore,it is of great significance to consider the anisotropic permeability when dealing with water gushing-induced engineering accidents in water-rich mountain tunnels with large burial depth.In this study,based on the complex variable method and the seepage flow theory,a theoretical model of water inflow into a deep-buried circular tunnel in a fully saturated,anisotropic and semi-infinite aquifer is developed.The influence of grouted zone,initial support and secondary lining is fully considered.By comparison to the existing analytical methods and numerical results,the reliability of this proposed analytical solution is well validated.It is indicated from the parametric study that the groundwater inflow into tunnel presents an upward trend with an increasing value of the strata permeability in the vertical direction.Moreover,the water inflow rate and the total water head decrease with the growth of the thickness of grouting circle.It is suggested that reasonable grouting thickness and permeability should be controlled to enhance the grouting effect.This study provides a practical method for estimating the water inflow into a deep-buried,grouted and lined mountain tunnel considering the anisotropic strata permeability.