The role of polyurethane foam compressible layer in the mechanical behaviour of multi-layer yielding supports for deep soft rock tunnels

The polyurethane foam(PU)compressible layer is a viable solution to the problem of damage to the secondary lining in squeezing tunnels.Nevertheless,the mechanical behaviour of the multi-layer yielding supports has not been thoroughly investigated.To fill this gap,large-scale model tests were conducted in this study.The synergistic load-bearing mechanics were analyzed using the convergenceconfinement method.Two types of multi-layer yielding supports with different thicknesses(2.5 cm,3.75 cm and 5 cm)of PU compressible layers were investigated respectively.Digital image correlation(DIC)analysis and acoustic emission(AE)techniques were used for detecting the deformation fields and damage evolution of the multi-layer yielding supports in real-time.Results indicated that the loaddisplacement relationship of the multi-layer yielding supports could be divided into the crack initiation,crack propagation,strain-hardening,and failure stages.Compared with those of the stiff support,the toughness,deformability and ultimate load of the yielding supports were increased by an average of 225%,61%and 32%,respectively.Additionally,the PU compressible layer is positioned between two primary linings to allow the yielding support to have greater mechanical properties.The analysis of the synergistic bearing effect suggested that the thickness of PU compressible layer and its location significantly affect the mechanical properties of the yielding supports.The use of yielding supports with a compressible layer positioned between the primary and secondary linings is recommended to mitigate the effects of high geo-stress in squeezing tunnels.

Study on the new shell bolting and shotcrete support and its application in soft rock tunnels

A new kind of tunnel support was put forward on the basis of the anchor spraysupport principle. The mechanics of the new three-dimensional steel bar shotcrete liningsupport was studied and the structure's internal forces were analyzed. The model experiment was done relying on the industrial test. The conclusion of numerical calculationsproved that the ANSYS program is reasonable and creditable. It was compared to otherkinds of support that are commonly used in soft rock tunnels. The technique and economiccontrasts of the typical tunnel with support three-dimensional steel bar were completed.

Time-dependent squeezing deformation mechanism of tunnels in layered soft-rock stratum under high geo-stress

Large squeezing deformation of layered soft rock tunnel under high geo-stress has a significant time-dependent deformation behavior.In this paper,we studied the deformation mechanism during the construction period of deep-buried softrock tunnel by means of a combination of field observations and a numerical method.First,a new classification criterion for large deformations based on the power exponent variation law between the deformation and the strength-stress ratio is proposed.Then,the initial damage tensor reflecting the bedding plane(joint)distribution and an equivalent damage evolution equation derived from the viscoplastic strain are introduced based on the geometric research method,i.e.,a new rheological damage model(RDL model)of layered soft rock is established consisting of elastic,viscous,viscoelastic,viscoplastic and plastic elements.A field test was conducted on the Maoxian tunnel in Sichuan province,southwestern China,which is in broken phyllite(layered soft rock)under high geo-stress.The tunnel has experienced large deformation due to serious squeezing pressure,thus we adopted double primary support method to overcome the supporting structure failure problems.The rheological parameters of phyllite in the Maoxian tunnel were recognized by using SA-PSO optimization,and the RDL model does a good job in describing the time-dependent deformation behavior of a layered soft-rock tunnel under high geo-stress.Thus,the RDL model was used to investigate the supporting effect and bearing mechanism of the double primary support method.Compared with the single primary support method,the surrounding rock pressure,secondary lining force,surrounding rock deformation,and the depth of the damage to the rock mass was reduced by 40%-60%after the double primary support method was used.

Analysis of mechanical behavior of soft rocks and stability control in deep tunnels

Due to the weakness in mechanical properties of chlorite schist and the high in situ stress in Jinping II hydropower station, the rock mass surrounding the diversion tunnels located in chlorite schist was observed with extremely large deformations. This may significantly increase the risk of tunnel instability during excavation. In order to assess the stability of the diversion tunnels laboratory tests were carried out in association with the petrophysical properties, mechanical behaviors and waterlweakening properties of chlorite schist. The continuous deformation of surrounding rock mass, the destruction of the support structure and a large-scale collapse induced by the weak chlorite schist and high in situ stress were analyzed. The distributions of compressive deformation in the excavation zone with large deformations were also studied. In this regard, two reinforcement schemes for the excavation of diversion tunnel bottom section were proposed accordingly. This study could offer theoretical basis for deed tunnel construction in similar geological condition~

Development of a new type of foam concrete and its application on stability analysis of large-span soft rock tunnel

The long-term stability of large-span soft rock tunnel is influenced greatly by the creep effect of surrounding rock.The development of a new type of foam concrete which has the property of high compressibility and low ductility was introduced.And it was made as filling material of reserved deformation layer between the first lining and the second lining used in large-span soft rock tunnel.The effect of the new type of foam concrete was simulated as filling material of reserved deformation layer using numerical simulation.Through the comparison with the common large-span soft rock tunnel,the vault settlement and surrounding convergence are reduced by about 61% and 45%,respectively,after creep of 100 a.And in the second lining,the plastic zone reduces apparently and the maximum equivalent plastic strain decreases relatively.So,it can be found that the application of the new type of foam concrete as the filling material of reserved deformation layer can relieve the excessive force in second lining induced by rock creep,reduce its deformation and improve the stability of tunnel.

Numerical modeling of large deformation and nonlinear frictional contact of excavation boundary of deep soft rock tunnel

Roadways excavated in soft rocks at great depth are difficult to be maintained due to large deformation of surrounding rocks, which greatly influences the safety and efficiency of deep resources exploitation. During the excavation process of a deep soft rock tunnel, the rock wall may be compacted due to large deformation. In this paper, the technique to address this problem by a two-dimensional (2D) finite element software, large deformation engineering analyses software (LDEAS 1.0), is provided. By using the Lagrange multiplier method, the kinematic constraint of non-penetrating condition and static constraint of Coulomb friction are introduced to the governing equations in the form of incremental displacement. The numerical example demonstrates the efficiency of this technology. Deformations of a transportation tunnel in inclined soft rock strata at the depth of 1 000 m in Qishan coal mine and a tunnel excavated to three different depths are analyzed by two models, i.e. the additive decomposition model and polar decomposition model. It can be found that the deformation of the transportation tunnel is asymmetrical due to the inclination of rock strata. For extremely soft rock, large deformation can converge only for the additive decomposition model. The deformation of surrounding rocks increases with the increase in the tunnel depth for both models. At the same depth, the deformation calculated by the additive decomposition model is smaller than that by the polar decomposition model.

NEW THEORY IN TUNNEL STABLILITY CONTROL OF SOFT ROCK──MECHANICS OF SOFT ROCK ENGINEERING

Tunnel stability control is a world-wide difficult problem. For the sake of solving it,the new theory of soft rock engineering mechanics has been estabilished. Some key points,such as the definition and classification of soft rock, mechanical deformation mechanism of a soft rock tunnel, the critical support technique of soft rock tunnel and the new theory of the soft rock tunnel stability control are proposed in this paper.

Optimization of construction scheme and supporting technology for HJS soft rock tunnel

For a soft rock tunnel under high stress in jointed and swell soft rock （HJS）, two construction schemes pilot-tunneling enlarging excavation and step-by-step excavation were optimized using FLAC20, and the deformation effects of the two construction schemes were verified by field tests. Based on engineer- ing geological investigation and mechanical analysis of large deformations, the complex deformation mechanisms of stress expansion and structural deformation of the soft rock tunnel were confirmed, and support countermeasures from the complex deformation mechanism converted to a single type were proposed, and the support parameters were optimized by field tests. These technologies were proved by engineering practice, which produced significant technical and economic benefits.

Study on the Deformation Mechanism of a Soft Rock Tunnel

The large deformation of soft rock tunnel is one of the key problems to be overcome in the tunnel construction stage.In the present study,the deformation mechanism of a representative tunnel and some related countermeasures are investigated using field tests and engineering geological analysis.Owing to the scarce performances of methods based on other criteria such as small pipe spacing,anchor bolt length and steel frame spacing,a new support scheme is implemented and optimized.Results show that shear failure and bedding sliding are produced under high horizontal stress conditions.The low strength of the surrounding rock results in the uneven convergence of both sides of the tunnel.With the aforementioned new support scheme,however,most of such problems can be mitigated leading to good stability properties and ensuing economic advantages.

Soft rocks in Argentina

Soft rocks are a still fairly unexplored chapter in rock mechanics. Within this category are the clastic sedimentary rocks and pyroclastic volcanic rocks, of low to moderate lithification （consolidation, cemen- tation, new formed minerals）, chemical sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks formed by minerals witk Mohs hardness less than 3.5, such as limestone, gypsum, halite, sylvite, between the first and phyllites, graphitic schist, chloritic shale, talc, etc., among the litter. They also include any type Of rock that suffered alteration processes （hydrothermal or weathering）. In Argentina the study of low-strength rocks has not received much attention despite having extensive outcrops in the Andes and great impact in the design criteria. Correlation between geomechanical properties （UCS, deformability） to physical index （porosity, density, etc.） has shown promising results to be better studied. There are many studies and engineering projects in Argentina in soft rock geological environments, some cited in the text （Chihuido dam, N. Kirchner dam, J. Cepernic Dam, etc.） and others such as International Tunnel in the Province of Mendoza （Corredor Bioceanico）, which will require the valuable contribution from rock mechanics. The lack of consistency between some of the physical and mechanical parameters explored from studies in the country may be due to an insufficient amount of information and/or non-standardization of criteria for testing materials. It is understood that more and better academic and professional efforts in improv- ing techniques will result in benefits to the better understanding of the geomechanics of weak rocks.

Experiment on mechanical properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete and application in deep underground engineering

Specimens of steel fiber reinforced concrete （SFRC） in volume ratios of 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% were prepared to study the supporting effect of SFRC at these diffterent volume ratios in a deep soft rock tunnel. Experiments with mechanical properties of compressive strength in cubic specimens, cleave strength in cylindrical specimens and four-point flexure strength of sheet metal specimens were carded out. The experimental results indicate that SFRC in a volume ratio of 1% is superior in ranking to other volume ratios in terms of technique and economics. By means of a numerical simulation, given the characteristics of soft rock deformation and damage at great depth, a new support substitution scheme of SFRC to replace plain concrete is proposed. The results of an industrial trial show that the support provided by SFRC can withstand large deformations of the surrounding rock. Good resuits have been obtained in a practical anplication.

Modified ground response curve(GRC)in strain-softening rock mass based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion considering over-excavation

The ground response curve(GRC)depicts the relationship between support reaction force and ground displacement,which improves the understanding of ground-support interaction and provides important references to the tunnel design.However,it is difficult to anticipate the tunneling-induced large deformation with sufficient reliability in soft rock with high geostress since the small strain theory is not applicable.When large deformation occurs,the tunnel needs to be over-excavated.Thus,the GRC should be modified considering the enlarged excavation radius since the actual excavation radius is usually greater than the designed one.To overcome the shortcomings of small strain theory in recognizing ground-support interaction under large deformation circumstances,a new large strain numerical approach for modifying the GRC was proposed considering over-excavation in strain-softening rock masses based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion.A case study was conducted based on the Lianchengshan tunnel in China.The modified GRC was employed to investigate the ground-support behavior for different support schemes and to explore the applicability of the stress release measures.Combined with field tests,the proposed approach was validated.By comparing with GRCs proposed by previous work,the present modified GRC was proved to be superior to others.Parametric studies were conducted and it is found that over-excavation,for example,reserving a very large clearance between the surrounding rock and the support,is necessary to reduce ground pressure to a large extent.The yielding supports which can provide high support pressure during the process of deformation are highly recommended when tunneling in high geostress environment.However,if the initial geostress is not very high,it is not necessary to pursue unwarranted overexcavation since the ground pressure applied on the support is mainly the loosening stress when the deformation is large.Ample support stiffness should be provided in the process of deformation to prevent uncontrolled large deformation of surrounding rock.