Calculation of vibrational energy transition rates in acoustic relaxation processes for excitable gas molecules

To research the correlation between vibrational energy transition rates and acoustic relaxation processes in excitable gases, the vibrational relaxation theory provided by Tanczos [J. Chem. Phy3. 25, 439 （1956）] is applied to calculate the energy transition rates of Vibrational- Vibrational （V-V） and Vibrational-Translational （V-T） energy transfer in gas mixtures. The results of calculation for the multi-relaxation processes in various gas mixtures, consisting of carbon dioxide, methane, chlorine, nitrogen, and oxygen at room temperature, demonstrate that the acoustic energy stagnated in every vibrational mode is coupled with each other through V-V energy exchanges. The vibrational excitation energy will relax through the V-T de-excitation path of the lowest mode because of its fastest V-T transition rate, resulting in that only one absorption peak can be measured for most of excitable gas mixtures. Thus, an effective model is provided to analyze how the vibrational energy transition rates affect the characteristics of acoustic relaxation processes and acoustic propagation in excitable gas mixtures.

Acoustic emission monitoring of rockbursts during TBM-excavated headrace tunneling at Jinping Ⅱ hydropower station

To better understand the mechanical properties of marble at Jinping II hydropower station, this paper examines the changes of brittle rocks in excavation damaged zones(EDZs) before and after excavation of tunnel with the tunnel boring machine(TBM). The paper attempts to employ the acoustic emission(AE) to study the AE characteristics and distribution of rockburst before and after TBM-excavated tunnel. It is known that the headrace tunnel #2, excavated by the drill-and-blast(D&B) method, is ahead of the headrace tunnel #3 that is excavated by TBM method. The experimental sub-tunnel #2–1, about 2000 m in depth and 13 m in diameter, between the two tunnels is scheduled. In the experimental sub-tunnel #2–1, a large number of experimental boreholes are arranged, and AE sensors are installed within 10 m apart from the wall of the headrace tunnel #3. By tracking the microseismic signals in rocks, the location, frequency, quantity, scope and intensity of the microseismic signals are basically identifed. It is observed that the AE signals mainly occur within 5 m around the rock wall, basically lasting for one day before tunnel excavation and a week after excavation. Monitoring results indicate that the rockburst signals are closely related to rock stress adjustment. The rock structure has a rapid self-adjustment capacity before and after a certain period of time during tunneling. The variations of rock stresses would last for a long time before reaching a fnal steady state. Based on this, the site-specifc support parameters for the deep tunnels can be accordingly optimized.