Information and knowledge behind data from underground rock grouting

Data related to the pre-grouting work of a large underground project are systematically analyzed to reveal the mechanism behind,to shed some light on the execution of practical grouting,and to enrich the theory of engineering geology.Grouting is generally taken as an effective way for controlling nonignorable water seepage during underground rock excavation.Though various models have been developed to guide grouting design or to specify criteria for grouting stop,it does not change the fact that grouting is still highly experience-based.Therefore,explanation of the current situation due to grouting complexity is given through step-by-step data analysis,where the impact on grouting parameters from the geological and hydrogeological conditions is investigated,and the grouting features of two tunnels located at the same depth below the sea surface are compared and discussed.Then,the data from individual grout hole are used to construct the regional geological conditions via inverse analysis.It is found that grouting of fractured rock masses is accompanied with great uncertainty,and field grouting data can contribute significantly to a better understanding of the regional geological conditions around an underground tunnel or rock cavern.

Discussion on “Analysis of Bingham fluid radial flow in smooth fractures”[J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 12(2020) 1112e1118]

Recently,Zou et al.(2020 a)published a theoretical analysis on the radial flow of a Bingham fluid,where they argued that the classical analysis by Dai and Bird(1981)violates the mass conservation.The present discussion aims to clarify this conflict between those two studies.It is noted that Zou et al.(2020 a)presumed the gap-wise mass flux is negligible in the mass conservation equation,while Dai and Bird(1981)did not require so in their model,and this is found to be the origin of the conflict.In fact,Dai and Bird(1981)’s model is shown to not violate the mass conservation.Therefore,those two models should be viewed as separate models derived from different perspectives.Details of the major difference between the two models are discussed.

Grouting techniques for the unfavorable geological conditions of Xiang'an subsea tunnel in China

One of the major challenges during subsea tunnel construction is to seal the potential water inflow. Thepaper presents a case study of Xiang＇an subsea tunnel in Xiamen, the first subsea tunnel in China. Duringits construction, different grades of weathered geomaterials were encountered, which was the challengingissue for this project. To deal with these unfavorable geological conditions, grouting was adoptedas an important measure for ground treatment. The grouting mechanism is first illustrated by introducinga typical grouting process. Then the site-specific grouting techniques employed in the Xiang＇ansubsea tunnel are elaborated. By using this ground reinforcement technique, the tunneling safety of theXiang＇an subsea tunnel was guaranteed. 2014 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Utilizing a novel fiber optic technology to capture the axial responses of fully grouted rock bolts

Rock bolts are one of the primary support systems utilized in underground excavations within the civil and mining engineering industries. Rock bolts support the weakened rock mass adjacent to the opening of an excavation by fastening to the more stable, undisturbed formations further from the excavation. The overall response of such a support element has been determined under varying loading conditions in the laboratory and in situ experiments in the past four decades; however, due to the limitations with conventional monitoring methods of capturing strain, there still exists a gap in knowledge associated with an understanding of the geomechanical responses of rock bolts at the microscale. In this paper, we try to address this current gap in scientific knowledge by utilizing a newly developed distributed optical strain sensing(DOS) technology that provides an exceptional spatial resolution of 0.65 mm to capture the strain along the rock bolt. This DOS technology utilizes Rayleigh optical frequency domain reflectometry(ROFDR) which provides unprecedented insight into various mechanisms associated with axially loaded rebar specimens of different embedment lengths, grouting materials, borehole annulus conditions, and borehole diameters. The embedment length of the specimens was found to be the factor that significantly affected the loading of the rebar. The critical embedment length for the fully grouted rock bolts(FGRBs) was systematically determined to be430 mm. The results herein highlight the effects of the variation of these individual parameters on the geomechanical responses FGRBs.

Analysis of Bingham fluid radial flow in smooth fractures

Solutions for radial flow of a Bingham fluid are analyzed in this paper.It aims to eliminate confusions in the literature concerning the plug flow region in different solutions for analysis and design of grouting in rock fractures.The analyses based on the force balance equation reveal that the plug flow region in Bingham radial flow is independent of the fracture radius,and is not a growth function adapted from the solution of one-dimensional(1D)slit flow according to‘similarity’.Based on the shear stress distribution,we analytically proposed that a non-uniform plug flow region cannot exist.The Bingham fluid(grout)penetration and flowrate evolution as functions of grouting time are given using the correct expression for the plug flow region.The radius-independent plug flow region and the presented flowrate evolution equation are also verified numerically.For radial flow,the relative penetration length is equal to the relative width of plug flow region,which is the same as that for 1D channel flow.Discrepancies in analytical solutions for grout penetration and flowrate evolution were also illustrated.The clarification of the plug flow region and evaluation of discrepancies in analytical solutions presented in this work could simplify modeling and design of grouting in rock engineering applications.

Reply to Discussion on “Analysis of Bingham fluid radial flow in smooth fractures”

Recently,Hoang et al.(2021)discussed our paper Zou et al.(2020).In our paper,we made a statement that Dai and Bird(1981)’s solution for two-dimensional(2 D)radial Bingham fluid flow between parallel plates violates mass balance.Hoang et al.pointed out that Dai and Bird(1981)’s solution does not violate the mass balance because Dai and Bird(1981)’s solution and our analysis are based on different assumptions,i.e.with consideration of the vertical velocity component in the continuity equation or not,which leads to two different approximation models.In this sense,the mass balance of Dai and Bird(1981)’s solution should not be checked using our solution as a reference.In this reply,we add remarks on the two approximation models and their implication for rock grouting analysis.The discussion by Hoang et al.and this reply are helpful to thoroughly eliminate the existing confusion regarding the two solutions in the rock grouting research community.

Mechanical Behaviors of Anchorage Interfaces in Layered Rocks with Fractures under Axial Loads

Rock bolts are widely employed as an effective and efficient reinforcement method in geotechnical engineering.Sandwich composite structures formed by hard rock and weak rock are often encountered in practical projects.Furthermore,the spatial structure of the rock mass has a direct influence on the effect of the anchorage support.To investigate the impact of rock mass structure on the mechanical characteristics of anchorage interfaces,pull-out tests on reinforced specimens with different mudstone thicknesses and fracture dip angles are conducted.The experimental results indicate that the percentage of mudstone content and fracture dip angle have a significant influence on the pullout load of the samples.A weaker surrounding rock results in a lower peak load and a longer critical anchorage length,and vice versa.The results also show that 70%mudstone content can be considered a critical condition for impacting the peak load.Specifically,the percentage of mudstone content has a limited influence on the variation in the peak load when it exceeds 70%.Optical fiber deformation results show that compared to the rock mass with fracture dip angles of 0°and 60°,the rock mass with a fracture dip angle of 30°has a more uniformly distributed force at the anchorage interface.When the fracture dip angle exceeds 60°,the dip angle is no longer a key indicator of peak load.The accuracy of the experimentally obtained load-displacement curves is further verified although numerical simulation using the discrete element method.