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.