Particle flow study on strength and meso-mechanism of Brazilian splitting test for jointed rock mass

A discrete element method （DEM） called particle flow code （PFC2D） was used to construct a model for Brazilian disc splitting test in the present study. Based on the experimental results of intact Brazilian disc of rock-like material, a set of micro-parameters in PFC2D that reflected the macro-mechanical behavior of rock-like materials were obtained. And then PFC2D was used to simulate Brazilian splitting test for jointed rock mass specimens and specimen containing a central straight notch. The effect of joint angle and notch angle on the tensile strength and failure mode of jointed rock specimens was detailed analyzed. In order to reveal the meso-mechanical mechanism of crack coalescence, displacement trend lines were applied to analyze the displacement evolution during the crack initiation and propagation. The investigated conclusions can be described as follows. （1） The tensile strength of jointed rock mass disc specimen is dependent to the joint angle. As the joint angle increases, the tensile strength of jointed rock specimen takes on a nonlinear variance. （2） The tensile strength of jointed rock mass disc specimen containing a central straight notch distributes as a function of both joint angle and notch angle. （3） Three major failure modes, i.e., pure tensile failure, shear failure and mixed tension and shear failure mode are observed in jointed rock mass disc specimens under Brazilian test. （4） The notch angle roles on crack initiation and and joint angle play important propagation characteristics of jointed rock mass disc specimen containing a central straight notch under Brazilian test.

Multiscale Hierarchical Digital Rock Mass Models and Numerical Testing on Mechanical and Hydaulic Properties of Rock Mass

Underground space utilization and exploration is an irreversible trend for promoting sustainable development especially in megacities.Geotechnical engineering safety is always one of the most important issues in all phases,including planning,design, construction and operation,of the underground project.Engineering geological and hydro-geological characteristics of the foundation rock mass

Failure behavior and strength model of blocky rock mass with and without rockbolts

To better understand the failure behaviours and strength of bolt-reinforced blocky rocks,large scale extensive laboratory experiments are carried out on blocky rock-like specimens with and without rockbolt reinforcement.The results show that both shear failure and tensile failure along joint surfaces are observed but the shear failure is a main controlling factor for the peak strength of the rock mass with and without rockbolts.The rockbolts are necked and shear deformation simultaneously happens in bolt reinforced rock specimens.As the joint dip angle increases,the joint shear failure becomes more dominant.The number of rockbolts has a significant impact on the peak strain and uniaxial compressive strength(UCS),but little influence on the deformation modulus of the rock mass.Using the Winkler beam model to represent the rockbolt behaviours,an analytical model for the prediction of the strength of boltreinforced blocky rocks is proposed.Good agreement between the UCS values predicted by proposed model and obtained from experiments suggest an encouraging performance of the proposed model.In addition,the performance of the proposed model is further assessed using published results in the literature,indicating the proposed model can be used effectively in the prediction of UCS of bolt-reinforced blocky rocks.

Testing method of rock structural plane using digital drilling

The rock mass consists of rock blocks and structural planes,which can reduce its integrity and strength.Therefore,accurately obtaining the characteristics of the rock mass structural plane is a prerequisite for evaluating stability and designing supports in underground engineering.Currently,there are no effective testing methods for the characteristic parameters of the rock mass structural plane in underground engineering.The paper presents the digital drilling technology as a new testing method of rock mass structural planes.Flawed rock specimens with cracks of varying widths and angles were used to simulate the rock mass structural planes,and the multifunctional rock mass digital drilling test system was employed to carry out the digital drilling tests.The analysis focuses on the variation laws of drilling parameters,such as drilling pressure and drilling torque,affected by the characteristics of prefabricated cracks,and clarifies the degradation mechanism of rock equivalent compressive strength.Additionally,an identification model for the characteristic parameters of rock mass structural planes during drilling is established.The test results indicate that the average difference of the characteristics of prefabricated cracks identified by the equivalent compressive strength is 2.45°and 0.82 mm,respectively.The identification model while drilling is verified to be correct due to the high identification accuracy.Based on this,a method for testing the characteristic parameters of the surrounding rock structural plane while drilling is proposed.The research offers a theoretical and methodological foundation for precise in situ identification of structural planes of the surrounding rock in underground engineering.

Model test study of frost heaving pressures in tunnels excavated in fractured rock mass in cold regions

Based on the similarity theory, taking the horseshoe, city-gate and round linings as examples, the value and distribution regularities of normal frost heaving pressures （hereinafter as frost heaving pressures） in tunnels excavated in fractured rock mass in cold regions under different constraints and freezing depths were studied by a test model. It was found that the larger the frozen depth, the larger the frost heaving pressure, and the stronger the top constraint, the larger the frost heaving pressure. For the horseshoe lining and city-gate lining, the top constraint has a greater effect on the frost heaving pressures on the arch and the inverted arch. For the round lining, the influences of the top constraint on the frost heaving pressure in all linings are almost the same. The frost heaving pressure is maximum on the city-gate lining and minimal on the round lining. The largest frost heaving pressure all occur near the foot of the inverted arch for the three kinds of lining. Thus, the test data basically coincide with the observed in situ data.

Similarity model tests of movement and deformation of coal-rock mass below stopes

For a study of the movement and deformation of coal-rock mass and low protected seams below a stope,as well as for fracture developments and rules of evolution of permeability,we designed a plane strain model test stand to carry out model tests of similar materials in order to improve the effect of gas drainage from low protected seams and to measure the movement and deformation of coal-rock mass using a method of non-contact close-range photogrammetry.Our results show that 1) using paraffin melting to take the place of coal seam mining can satisfy the mining conditions of a protective seam;2) coal-rock mass under goafs has an upward movement after the protective seam has been mined,causing floor heaving;3) low protected seams become swollen and deformed,providing a good pressure-relief effect and causing the coal-rock mass under both sides of coal pillars to become deformed by compression and 4) the evolution of permeability of low protected seams follows the way of initial values→a slight decrease→a great increase→stability→final decrease.Simultaneously,the coefficient of air permeability increased at a decreasing rate with an increase in interlayer spacing.

Failure characteristics and its influencing factors of talus-derived rock mass during open-pit mining

The failure characteristic of talus-derived rock mass continues to challenge quantitative hazard assessments in open-pit mining. Physical model test was used to assess the failure modes and mechanisms on talus-derived rock mass. The different types of failure modes of the talus-derived rock mass were introduced and a possible failure mechanism relation between the failure zone and the structure of the talus-derived rock mass was also shown. The physical model test results indicate that the rainfall has significant influence on the stability and failure modes of talus-derived rock mass during open-pit mining. The development of the seepage area caused by rainfall initiates the localized failure in that particular area, and the initiation of localized instability is mainly induced by stress changes concentrated in the seepage area.

Research on unloading nonlinear mechanical characteristics of jointed rock masses

Geological environments of rock mass projects are always very complicated, and further investigations on rock mechanical characteristics are needed. There are considerable distinctions in rock mechanical characteristics under unloading and loading conditions. A series of tests are conducted to study the stress-strain relationship of rock masses under loading and unloading conditions. Also, the anisotropy, the size effect, and the rheological property of unloading rock mass are investigated. The tests presented in the paper include model test and granite rheological test, which are conducted considering geological condition, rock mass structure, in-situ stress field of the permanent shiplock of the Three Gorges Project. The main differences between loading and unloading rock masses are stress paths, yield criteria, deformation and strength parameters, etc.. Different structural plane directions affect unloading rock mass evidently. With increasing size, the tensile strength, the compressive strength, the deformation modulus, the Poisson’s ratio and the anisotropy of rock mass all decrease. For sandstone samples with parallel bedding planes, the cohesion c increases but the internal friction angle ? decreases under unloading condition when compared with the values under loading condition. While for samples with vertical bedding planes, the trend is adverse. The rheological property of rocks has close relationship with the tensile stresses of rock masses. When the sandstone samples are tested under high stress condition, their rheological properties are very obvious with the unloading of confining pressure, and three typical rheological stages are shown. Rheological rate changes with the variations in axial stress and confining pressure.

Mechanical properties and reinforcement effect of jointed rock mass with pre-stressed bolt

Pre-stressed bolt anchorage is the key technology for jointed rock masses in rock tunnelling,slope treatment and mining engineering.To investigate the mechanical properties and reinforcement effect of jointed rock masses with pre-stressed bolts,in this study,uniaxial compression tests were conducted on specimens with different anchoring types and flaw inclination angles.ABAQUS software was used to verify and supplement the laboratory tests.The laws of the uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)obtained from the numerical simulations and laboratory tests were consistent.The results showed that under the same flaw angle,both the UCS and elastic modulus of the bolted specimens were improved compared with those of the specimens without bolts and the improvements increased with an increase in the bolt pre-stress.Under the same anchoring type,the UCS and elastic modulus of the jointed specimens increased with an increase in the flaw angle.The pre-stressed bolt could not only restrain the slip of the specimens along the flaw surface but also change the propagation mode of the secondary cracks and limit the initiation of cracks.In addition,the plot contours of the maximum principal strain and the Tresca stress of the numerical models were influenced by the anchoring type,flaw angle,anchoring angle and bolt position.

Modified Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion considering rock mass intrinsic material strength factorization

With the increase of mining depth of mineral resources,the rock mass stress state is being more and more complex.The rock mass show different features,namely,with the increase of hydrostatic pressure,rock mass failure mode turns from brittle tension failure to structure ductile failure and its limit strength also increases.The restriction of minimal principal stress on the initiation and development of microcrack and the change of micro-unit stress state by the intermediate principal stress play a decisive role in the increase of rock mass limit strength.Based on the rock mass failure behavior law under complex stress state and the σ2-dependence on the rock mass strength,we proposed a Modified Mohr-Coulomb(M-MC) strength criterion which is smooth and convex.Finally,the M-MC criterion is validated by multiaxial test data of eight kinds of rock mass.We also compared the fitting results with Mohr-Coulomb criterion(MC).It shows that the new criterion fits the test data better than the Mohr-Coulomb criterion.So the M-MC strength criterion well reveals the rock mass bearing behavior and can be widely used in the rock mass strength analysis.The results can provide theoretical foundations for stability analysis and reinforcement design of complex underground engineering.

Rock mechanics for design of Brisbane tunnels and implications of recent thinking in relation to rock mass strength

This paper explores the potential implications of recent thinking in relation to rock mass strength for future tunnelling projects in Brisbane,Australia,particularly as they are constructed within deep horizons where the in situ stress magnitudes is larger.Rock mass failure mechanisms for the current tunnels in Brisbane are generally discontinuity controlled and the potential for stress-induced failure is relatively rare.For the road tunnels which have been constructed in Brisbane over the last 12 years,the strength of the more massive rock masses for continuum analysis has been estimated by the application of the Hoek-Brown(H-B)failure criterion using the geological strength index(GSI)to determine the H-B parameters mb,s and a.Over the last few years,alternative approaches to estimating rock mass strength for‘massive to moderately jointed hard rock masses’have been proposed by others,which are built on the work completed by E.Hoek and E.T.Brown in this area over their joint careers.This paper explores one of these alternative approaches to estimating rock mass strength for one of the geological units(the Brisbane Tuff),which is often encountered in tunnelling projects in Brisbane.The potential implications of these strength forecasts for future tunnelling projects are discussed along with the additional work which will need to be undertaken to confirm the applicability of such alternative strength criteria for this rock mass.

Predicting the excavation damaged zone within brittle surrounding rock masses of deep underground caverns using a comprehensive approach integrating in situ measurements and numerical analysis

Excavation Damaged Zone(EDZ)scope is important for optimizing excavation and support schemes in deep underground caverns.However,accurately predicting the full EDZ scope within the surrounding rock masses of deep underground caverns during excavation remains a pressing problem.This study presents a comprehensive EDZ scope prediction approach(CESPA)for the brittle surrounding rock masses of deep underground caverns by coupling numerical simulation with quantitative analysis of borehole wall images and ultrasonic test results.First,the changes in both P-velocity(V_(p))and joint distribution of the surrounding rock masses before and after excavation damage are captured using ultrasonic tests and borehole digital cameras.Second,the quality Q-parameters of the surrounding rock mass before and after excavation damage are preliminarily rated with the rock mass descriptions provided by borehole wall images,and the rock mass V_(p)-parameter values are determined according to the V_(p)-borehole depth curves.Third,the Q-parameter ratings are further finely adjusted by updating the related Q-values to be similar with the Q-values estimated by V_(p)-parameter values.Fourth,the initial and residual mechanical parameters for the rock mass deterioration model(RDM)are estimated by the adjusted Q-parameter ratings based on the modified Q-based relations,and the elastic modulus deterioration index(EDI)threshold to describe the EDZ boundary is determined with the V_(p)-parameter values.Finally,EDZ scope is predicted using the elastoplastic numerical simulation with RDM and EDI based on the mechanical parameter estimates and EDI threshold.Analyses of applications in Sub-lab D1 in Jinping II project show that CESPA can provide a reliable and operable solution for predicting full EDZ scopes within the brittle surrounding rock masses of deep underground caverns.

Rock borehole shear tests in dam foundation of Xiangjiaba hydropower station

Xiangjiaba hydropowcr station is one of the complicated geological conditions of its dam foundation, parameters of rock masses are very important issues. To cascade power stations on the Jinsha River, China. Due to the evaluating the rock mass quality and determining the mechanical address these issues, several groups of rock borehole shear tests （RBSTs） were conducted on the black mudstone in the dam foundation of Xiangjiaba hydropower station in the second construction phase. Forty three groups of shear strengths of black mudstone samples were obtained from RBSTs, and the shear strength parameters （c and f） were calculated using the least squares method. In addition, the limitations and merits of RBST employed in the Xiangjiaba hydropower station were discussed. Test results indicate that the shear strength parameters obtained from RBST have a good correlation with the results from sotmd wave test in borehole. It is believed that RBST has a good adaptability and applicability in geotechnical engineering.

Strength and deformation characteristics of irregular columnar jointed rock mass: A combined experimental and theoretical study

The irregularity of jointed network poses a challenge to the determination of field mechanical param-eters of columnar jointed rock mass(CJRM),and a reasonable prediction of deformation and strength characteristics of CJRM is important for engineering construction.The Voronoi diagram and three-dimensional printing technology were used to make an irregular columnar jointed mold,and the irregular CJRM(ICJRM)specimens with different dip directions and dip angles were prepared.Uniaxial compression tests were performed,and the anisotropic strength and deformation characteristics of ICJRM were described.The failure modes and mechanisms were revealed in accordance with the final appearances of the ICJRM specimens.Based on the model test results,the empirical correlations for determining the field deformation and strength parameters of CJRM were derived using the dip angle and modified joint factor.The proposed empirical equations were used in the Baihetan Project,and the calculated mechanical parameters were compared with the field test results and those obtained from the tunneling quality index method.Results showed that the deformation parameters determined by the two proposed methods are all consistent with the field test results,and these two methods can also estimate the strength parameters effectively.

Physical Modeling of Influence of Rock Mass Structure on Roof Stability

Based on the developing degree of structure planes in coal roof, whole, blocky and heavily fractured structure models are built up. Through simulation test of similar materials, the distribution of deformation, failure and underground pressure induced by coal mining in coal roof with different rock mass structures are analyzed. The test results indicate that the distances of first and periodic weighting of main roof and the height of caving and fracture zone decrease with the increment of fractures in roof rock mass. From whole to blocky and heavily fractured structures, abutment pressure ahead of working face reduces and the peak value of abutment pressure migrates to inside of roof rock mass.

Empirical Development of the Rock Mass Deformation Modulus

Rock mass deformation modulus is a fundamental factor for a safe and economical design of rock structures like large underground openings, tunneling, and open pit mine as well as foundations in both the initial state of stresses act on rock mass and its strength characteristics. The rock mass deformation modulus recently has been measured by in-situ loading tests and has been estimated by use of empirical equation based on classification systems and data of laboratory tests. In-situ tests to measure modulus directly are so expensive, times consuming and the reliability of the results of these tests is sometimes doubtful; subsequently, many researches have been carried out to estimate this parameter based on classification systems. In this study, a new empirical equation was proposed by use of statistical analyses based on a database of more than 142 in-situ tests, like plate load tests, dilatometer tests, flat jack tests, and classification systems; in addition, properties of the intact rock.

Drillhole high-pressure packer permeability test for underground powerhouse in Pushihe pumped storage hydro-plant

Usually the water head of the pumped storage hydro-plant is high, generally up to 400-500 m, therefore the rock mass under the high-pressure bifurcation pipe have to bear as high as millions Pascal water pressure, in according with the requirements of high water head pumped storage hydro-plant should be 1.2 times of the water head special high-pressure packer permeability test compared with normal to test the permeability of rock and rock cleavage pressure value. The test results on the choice of design options often play a decisive role. Based on the engineering practice, the authors studied the drillhole high-pressure packer permeability test in the pumped storage hydro-plant's underground powerhouse, by the analysis of test results, this article offers a demonstration of the deformation of rock fracture witch under building in the condition of high-pressure water head, it provides a more detailed engineering geological background.

Investigation of long-wavelength elastic wave propagation through wet bentonite-filled rock joints

The saturation of the compacted bentonite buffer in the deep geological repository can cause bentonite swelling,intrusion into rock fractures,and erosion.Inevitably,erosion and subsequent bentonite mass loss due to groundwater inflow can aggravate the overall integrity of the engineered barrier system.Therefore,the coupled hydro-mechanical interaction between the buffer and rock during groundwater inflow and bentonite intrusion should be evaluated to guarantee the long-term safety of deep geological disposal.This study investigated the effect of bentonite erosion and intrusion on the elastic wave propagation characteristics in jointed rocks using a quasi-static resonant column test.Jointed rock specimens with different joint conditions(i.e.joint surface saturation and bentonite filling)were prepared using granite rock discs sampled from the Korea Underground Research Tunnel(KURT)and Gyeongju bentonite.The long-wavelength longitudinal and shear wave velocities were measured under different normal stress levels.A Hertzian-type power model was used to fit the wave velocities,and the relationship between the two fitted parameters provided the trend of joint conditions.Numerical simulations using three-dimensional distinct element code(3DEC)were conducted to better understand how the long-wavelength wave propagates through wet bentonite-filled rock joints.

南水北调中线北京段岩体隧洞围岩变形模量分析研究

岩体力学参数是影响地下工程围岩稳定的重要因素,确定合理的岩体变形模量对隧洞设计至关重要。结合南水北调中线北京段西甘池试验洞工程,对岩体进行静载荷试验分析研究,详细介绍试验点岩体的加卸载变形关系曲线,获得西甘池隧洞岩体变形模量参数建议值,为工程设计提供依据,并以期为类似工程的设计和施工提供参考。研究结果表明:试验压力较小时,各试点岩体变形或弹性模量的变化曲线有的升、有的降,试验压力大于0.4 MPa以后,各试点的变形模量和弹性模量逐渐趋于稳定;隧洞围岩变形控制及支护结构设计时,应根据各段围岩的岩性(大理岩、滑石片岩)、结构完整性、节理裂隙的空间展布方式以及发育充填情况等综合考虑,结合工程类比和地质经验最终确定岩体弹性参数的基本代表值。研究的方法和结论可为类似条件下隧洞工程的设计、施工提供参考和借鉴。

隧道穿越岩堆体围岩剪切特性及分级

为解决隧道穿越岩堆体围岩分级不准确的问题,通过相似材料直剪试验分析岩堆体的直剪特性,将含水率和填充土含量两个因素带入熵权可拓物元法,并结合地质指标进行分级研究。结果表明岩堆体的抗剪强度随着含水率、填充土含量的增大,先增大后减小,最终趋于平稳,过高或过低的含水率和填充土都会“弱化”岩堆体的抗剪强度。根据岩堆体的特点,选取岩石单轴饱和抗压强度、节理裂隙密度、岩体完整性系数、含水率和填充土含量作为分级指标,结合熵权可拓物元法,将所选指标和熵权可拓物元法结合并在工程实例进行验证,分级结果比原方法准确性更好,证明研究提出的围岩分级方法是合理可行的。研究结果能够为岩堆体隧道的围岩分级提供指导,为施工设计和支护方式提供依据。