Visualization and early warning analysis of damage degree of surrounding rock mass in underground powerhouse

Based on the underground powerhouse of Shuangjiangkou hydropower station,Octree theory is adopted to define the indices of the microseismic(MS)spatial aggregation degree and the deviation values of MS count and energy.The relationship between the MS multiple parameters and surrounding rock mass instability is established from three aspects:time,space,and strength.Supplemented by the center frequency of the signal evolution characteristics,A fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model and the evolution trend of the MS event center frequency are constructed to quantitatively describe the early warning state of the surrounding rock mass instability.The results show that the multilevel tree structure and voxels generated based on the Octree theory fit relatively well with the set of MS points in threedimensional space.The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model based on MS spatial aggregation and MS count and energy deviation values enables three-dimensional visualization of the potential damage area and damage extent of the surrounding rock mass.The warning time and potential damage zone quantified are highly consistent with the characteristics of MS precursors,with wide recognition and field investigation results,which fully validate the rationality and applicability of the proposed method.These findings can provide references for the early warning of surrounding rock mass instability in similar underground engineering.

Mechanical response and stability analysis of rock mass in high geostress underground powerhouse caverns subjected to excavation

To investigate the stability of rock mass in high geostress underground powerhouse caverns subjected to excavation,a microseismic(MS)monitoring system was established and the discrete element method(DEM)-based numerical simulation was carried out.The tempo-spatial damage characteristics of rock mass were analyzed.The evolution laws of MS source parameters during the formation of a rock collapse controlled by high geostress and geological structure were investigated.Additionally,a three-dimensional DEM model of the underground powerhouse caverns was built to reveal the deformation characteristics of rock mass.The results indicated that the MS events induced by excavation of high geostress underground powerhouse caverns occurred frequently.The large-stake crown of the main powerhouse was the main damage area.Prior to the rock collapse,the MS event count and accumulated energy release increased rapidly,while the apparent stress sharply increased and then decreased.The amount and proportion of shear and mixed MS events remarkably increased.The maximum displacement was generally located near the spandrel areas.The MS monitoring data and numerical simulation were in good agreement,which can provide significant references for damage evaluation and disaster forecasting in high geostress underground powerhouse caverns.

Characteristics of microseismic b-value associated with rock mass large deformation in underground powerhouse caverns at different stress levels

Rock mass large deformation in underground powerhouse caverns has been a severe hazard in hydropower engineering in Southwest China.During the development of rock mass large deformation,a sequence of fractures was generated that can be monitored using microseismic(MS)monitoring techniques.Two MS monitoring systems were established in two typical underground powerhouse caverns featuring distinct geostress levels.The MS b-values associated with rock mass large deformation and their temporal variation are analysed.The results showed that the MS bvalue in course of rock mass deformation was less than 1.0 in the underground powerhouse caverns at a high stress level while larger than 1.5 at a low stress level.Prior to the rock mass deformation,the MS b-values derived from both the high-stress and low-stress underground powerhouse caverns show an incremental decrease over 10%within 10 d.The results contribute to understanding the fracturing characteristics of MS sources associated with rock mass large deformation and provide a reference for early warning of rock mass large deformation in underground powerhouse caverns.

Comparative analysis of deformation and failure mechanisms of underground powerhouses on the left and right banks of Baihetan hydropower station

The stability of the surrounding rocks of large underground powerhouses is always emphasized during the construction process,especially in large-scale underground projects under construction,such as the Baihetan hydropower station in China.According to field investigations,numerical simulations and monitoring data analysis,we present a comparative analysis of the deformation and failure characteristics of the surrounding rocks of underground powerhouses on the left and right banks of the Baihetan hydropower station.The failure characteristics and deformation magnitude of the underground powerhouses on the left and right banks are quite different.Under the disadvantageous condition where the maximum principal stress intersects the axis of the powerhouse at a large angle,the left bank underground powerhouse shows prominent stress-controlled failure characteristics such as spalling,slack collapse and concrete cracking.Although the maximum principal stress is in the favorable condition which intersects the right bank powerhouse at a small angle,the relatively high intermediate principal stress with an angle subvertical to the right bank powerhouse plays an essential role in its deformation and failure,indicating that the influence of high intermediate principal stress cannot be ignored.In addition,structural plane-controlled failure and large deformation are also more evident on the right bank due to the extensive distribution of weak structural planes and complex surrounding rock properties.

Stability analysis of surrounding rock mass in underground powerhouse considering damage effect of microfractures

A high-precision microseismic(MS)monitoring system was built to monitor surrounding rock microfractures in the underground powerhouse on the left bank of Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station.The surrounding rock damage area with spatiotemporal clustering of MS activities was studied for qualitative analysis of the damage mechanism of surrounding rock microfractures,based on the source parameters of MS events.The surrounding rock microfracture scale characterized by the source radius of MS events was considered to establish the constitutive relation.MS information was imported into the model for numerical analysis using fast Lagrangian analysis of continuain 3 dimensions(FLAC^(3D)).The results indicated that the numerical simulation results considering MS damage can better reflect the actual situation of the field.The surrounding rock microfractures mainly showed mixed failure characteristics.Shear failures appeared in localized areas while the fracture scale of sections from K0e33 m to K0e15 m on the vault was large.The deformation increment caused by microfracture damage in the shallow surrounding rock of the top arch accounted for 10%e13%,and the stress decrement in the surrounding rock caused by microfracture damage accounted for about 10%.

Key rock mechanical problems of underground powerhouse in Shuibuya hydropower station

The complicated rock structures and the stability of surrounding rocks of the underground powerhouse were the key rock mechanical problems in Shuibuya hydropower station.In order to overcome the related rock mechanical problems encountered during its construction,a comprehensive research was carried out for the underground powerhouse in Shuibuya hydropower station based on a detailed geological survey.It covers the investigations on the initial in-situ stress distribution features,rock mechanical properties,engineering rock mass classifications by different methods,numerical modeling for stability and support analysis,proper measures for rock excavation and support.The results show that the rock excavations of the underground powerhouse under the given geological conditions can be controlled effectively.Some measures,suggested by the designers,are proved to be rational and effective.These measures mainly consist of:(1) the soft rock replacements by concrete in local area below the crane beam,(2) the shotcrete and reinforcement by rock bolts and anchor cables in surrounding rocks,and (3) 2 m concrete placement on the rock bench between adjacent tailrace tubes.The engineering practice shows that the treated surrounding rocks have a good overall stability.The deformation behaviors observed by safety equipments are within the designing limits.The research conclusions on the related rock mechanical problems,prior to the underground powerhouse excavations,are reliable.

Engineering rock mechanics practices in the underground powerhouse at JinpingⅠhydropower station

Based on the analyses of data obtained from the underground powerhouse at Jinping I hydropower station, a comprehensive review of engineering rock mechanics practice in the underground powerhouse is first conducted. The distribution of strata, lithology, and initial geo-stress, the excavation process and corresponding rock mass support measures, the deformation and failure characteristics of the surrounding rock mass, the stress characteristics of anchorage structures in the cavern complex, and numerical simulations of surrounding rock mass stability and anchor support performance are presented. The results indicate that the underground powerhouse of Jinping I hydropower station is characterized by high to extremely high geo-stresses during rock excavation. Excessive surrounding rock mass deformation and high stress of anchorage structures, surrounding rock mass unloading damage, and local cracking failure of surrounding rock masses, etc., are mainly caused by rock mass excavation. Deformations of surrounding rock masses and stresses in anchorage structures here are larger than those found elsewhere： 20% of extensometers in the main powerhouse record more than 50 mm with the maximum at around 250 mm observed in the downstream sidewall of the transformer hall. There are about 25% of the anchor bolts having recorded stresses of more than 200 MPa. Jinping I hydropower plant is the first to have an underground powerhouse construction conducted in host rocks under extremely high geo-stress conditions, with the ratio of rock mass strength to geo-stress of less than 2.0. The results can provide a reference to underground powerhouse construction in similar geological conditions.

Dust Diffusion Simulation in the Third Layer Construction of Underground Powerhouse

Under forced ventilation,the dust diffusion of underground powerhouse construction is investigated using a 3D high Reynolds number k-ε model.The interfacial momentum transfers and the wall roughness in the wall function are considered.Ventilation in the third layer of underground powerhouse of Xiangjiaba hydropower station is used as a case.The geometric structure has a decisive effect on the airflow distribution.It is concluded that the dust concentration decreases gradually with the increase of the ventilation time.However,iso-concentration curves have the same tendency after 1 800 s.The dust concentration meets the ventilation and dust-prevention health standard after 2 300 s.The prediction by the present model is confirmed by the experimental measurement by Nakayama.

Robustness analysis of underground powerhouse construction simulation based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo method

Scheduling is a major concern in construction planning and management, and current construction simulation research typically targets the shortest total duration. However, uncertainties are inevitable in actual construction, which may lead to discrepancies between the actual and planned schedules and increase the risk of total duration delay. Therefore, developing a robust construction scheduling technique is of vital importance for mitigating disturbance and improving completion probability. In the present study, the authors propose a robustness analysis method that involves underground powerhouse construction simulation based on the Markov Chain Monte Carlo(MCMC) method. Specifically, the MCMC method samples construction disturbances by considering the interrelationship between the states of parameters through a Markov state transition probability matrix, which is more robust and efficient than traditional sampling methods such as the Monte Carlo(MC) method. Additionally, a hierarchical simulation model coupling critical path method(CPM) and a cycle operation network(CYCLONE) is built, using which construction duration and robustness criteria can be calculated. Furthermore, a detailed measurement method is presented to quantize the robustness of underground powerhouse construction, and the setting model of the time buffer is proposed based on the MCMC method. The application of this methodology not only considers duration but also robustness, providing scientific guidance for engineering decision making. We analyzed a case study project to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed methodology.

Coordinated deformation control technologies for the high sidewall—bottom transfixion zone of large underground hydro-powerhouses

It is imperative to understand the spatial and temporal coordination deformation mechanism and develop targeted deformation control technologies for high sidewall—bottom transfixion(HSBT)zones to guarantee the stability of rock surrounding underground hydro-powerhouses under complex geological conditions.In this study,the spatial and temporal coordinated deformation control of HSBT zones was addressed from the aspects of the deformation mechanism,failure characteristics,and control requirements,and some coordinated deformation control technologies were proposed.On this basis,a case study was conducted on the deformation control of the HSBT zone of the underground powerhouse at the Wudongde hydropower station,China.The results showed that the relationship between excavation and support,and the mismatch of deformation and support of the surrounding rock mass in the HSBT zone of underground caverns with a large span and high in-situ stress can be appropriately handled.The solution requires proper excavation and construction procedures,fine blasting control,composite and timely support,and real-time monitoring and dynamic feedback.The technologies proposed in this study will ensure the safe,high-quality,and orderly construction of the Baihetan and Wudongde underground caverns,and can be applied to other similar projects.

Technology improvements and management innovations in construction of Xiluodu hydropower station on Jinsha River

Developer and owner:China Three Gorges Corporation(CTG)Engineering management:China Three Gorges Projects Development Corporation(CTGPC)Designer:Chengdu Engineering Corporation Co.,Ltd.,Power