3D DEM simulation of hard rock fracture in deep tunnel excavation induced by changes in principal stress magnitude and orientation

To achieve the loading of the stress path of hard rock,the spherical discrete element model(DEM)and the new flexible membrane technology were utilized to realize the transient loading of three principal stresses with arbitrary magnitudes and orientations.Furthermore,based on the deep tunnel of China Jinping Underground Laboratory II(CJPL-II),the deformation and fracture evolution characteristics of deep hard rock induced by excavation stress path were analyzed,and the mechanisms of transient loading-unloading and stress rotation-induced fractures were revealed from a mesoscopic perspective.The results indicated that the stressestrain curve exhibits different trends and degrees of sudden changes when subjected to transient changes in principal stress,accompanied by sudden changes in strain rate.Stress rotation induces spatially directional deformation,resulting in fractures of different degrees and orientations,and increasing the degree of deformation anisotropy.The correlation between the degree of induced fracture and the unloading magnitude of minimum principal stress,as well as its initial level is significant and positive.The process of mechanical response during transient unloading exhibits clear nonlinearity and directivity.After transient unloading,both the minimum principal stress and minimum principal strain rate decrease sharply and then tend to stabilize.This occurs from the edge to the interior and from the direction of the minimum principal stress to the direction of the maximum principal stress on theε1-ε3 plane.Transient unloading will induce a tensile stress wave.The ability to induce fractures due to changes in principal stress magnitude,orientation and rotation paths gradually increases.The analysis indicates a positive correlation between the abrupt change amplitude of strain rate and the maximum unloading magnitude,which is determined by the magnitude and rotation of principal stress.A high tensile strain rate is more likely to induce fractures under low minimum principal stress.

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.

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.

Zonal disintegration phenomenon in enclosing rock mass surrounding deep tunnels——Elasto-plastic analysis of stress field of enclosing rock mass

The zonal disintegration phenomenon （ZDP） is a typical phenomenon in deep block rock masses. In order to investigate the mechanism of ZDP, an improved non-linear Hock-Brown strength criterion and a bi-linear constitutive model of rock mass were used to analyze the elasto-plastic stress field of the enclosing rock mass around a deep round tunnel. The radius of the plastic region and stress of the enclosing rock mass were obtained by introducing dimensionless parameters of radial distance. The results show that tunneling in deep rock mass causes a maximum stress zone to appear in the vicinity of the boundary of the elastic and the plastic zone in the surrounding rock mass. Under the compression of a large tangential force and a small radial force, the rock mass in the maximum stress zone was in an approximate uniaxial loading state, which could lead to a split failure in the rock mass.

Zonal disintegration phenomenon in rock mass surrounding deep tunnels

Zonal disintegration is a typical static phenomenon of deep rock masses. It has been defined as alternating regions of fractured and relatively intact rock mass that appear around or in front of the working stope during excavation of a deep tunnel. Zonal disintegration phenomenon was successfully demonstrated in the laboratory with 3D tests on analogous gypsum models, two circular cracked zones were observed in the test. The linear Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion was used with a constitutive model that showed linear softening and ideal residual plastic to analyze the elasto-plastic field of the enclosing rock mass around a deep tunnel. The results show that tunneling causes a maximum stress zone to appear between an elastic and plastic zone in the surrounding rock. The zonal disintegration phenomenon is analyzed by considering the stress-strain state of the rock mass in the vicinity of the maximum stress zone. Creep instability failure of the rock due to the development of the plastic zone, and transfer of the maximum stress zone into the rock mass, are the cause of zonal disintegration. An analytical criterion for the critical depth at which zonal disintegration can occur is derived. This depth depends mainly on the character and stress concentration coefficient of the rock mass.

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~

Tunnel Surrounding Rock Deformation Characteristics and Control in Deep Coal Mining

In order to study the failure characteristics and control method of deep tunnel surrounding rock, based on the stress test, the structure and stress state of the main transportation tunnel surrounding rock in Mine Zhaogezhuang level 14 was analyzed, and it shows that the surrounding rock is exposed to an interphase hard and soft disadvantageous structure state and complex high stress repeated addition area;Through the theoretical analysis and the statistical data, the relation between the tunnel stress transformation and the surrounding rock deformation was proposed;Through the numerical simulation of the tunnel surrounding rock failure process with the help of RFPA procedure, the results show that the damage of the transportation tunnel level 14 mainly occurs in the bottom and the two coal ribs, and the failure process is spreading from the bottom to the two coal ribs, and the effect of the surrounding rock deformation control is obvious by using the way of 2.5 m anchor with 1.0 m grouting strengthening.

A comparison of seismic response to conventional and face destress blasting during deep tunnel development

A novel design of development face destress blasting was implemented during the construction of an experimental tunnel at great depth.A second tunnel was developed nearby using conventional blasting as a control.The tunnels were developed parallel to one another and perpendicular to a high subhorizontal stress.High resolution seismic monitoring was used to record and compare the seismic response generated by each excavation.Analysis of the seismic data from the conventionally blasted tunnel indicated that the seismogenic zone of stress-driven instability extended up to 3.6 m ahead of the face.Destress blasting within the corresponding zone of the adjacent tunnel had the effect of reducing the rock mass stiffness,primarily due to weakening of the pre-existing natural discontinuities.The reduction in rock mass stiffness was inferred from the spatial broadening of the seismogenic zone and associated reduction in the measured spatial density of events,radiated energy and seismic potency ahead of the face.High strain gradients around the unsupported portion of the conventionally blasted excavation were implied by the rate at which the spatial density of seismicity changed with respect to the tunnel face position.In contrast,the change in the spatial density of seismicity around the destressed development face was much more gradual.This was indicative of lower strain gradients in the rock there.A reduction in rock mass stiffness following destress blasting was also indicated by the much wider variety of seismic source mechanisms recorded adjacent to the destressed tunnel.Seismic source mechanisms associated with destress blasting were also more clearly characteristic of compressive overstressing with fracture closure.The source mechanism data also indicated that destress blasting induced instability on all natural joint sets.When compared to conventional development blasting,destress blasting typically reduced violent strain energy release from the rock mass and the associated seismicity,but not always.

Assessment of strain bursting in deep tunnelling by using the finite-discrete element method

Rockbursting in deep tunnelling is a complex phenomenon posing significant challenges both at the design and construction stages of an underground excavation within hard rock masses and under high in situ stresses. While local experience, field monitoring, and informed data-rich analysis are some of the tools commonly used to manage the hazards and the associated risks, advanced numerical techniques based on discontinuum modelling have also shown potential in assisting in the assessment of rockbursting. In this study, the hybrid finite-discrete element method(FDEM) is employed to investigate the failure and fracturing processes, and the mechanisms of energy storage and rapid release resulting in bursting, as well as to assess its utility as part of the design process of underground excavations.Following the calibration of the numerical model to simulate a deep excavation in a hard, massive rock mass, discrete fracture network(DFN) geometries are integrated into the model in order to examine the impact of rock structure on rockbursting under high in situ stresses. The obtained analysis results not only highlight the importance of explicitly simulating pre-existing joints within the model, as they affect the mobilised failure mechanisms and the intensity of strain bursting phenomena, but also show how the employed joint network geometry, the field stress conditions, and their interaction influence the extent and depth of the excavation induced damage. Furthermore, a rigorous analysis of the mass and velocity of the ejected rock blocks and comparison of the obtained data with well-established semi-empirical approaches demonstrate the potential of the method to provide realistic estimates of the kinetic energy released during bursting for determining the energy support demand.

Reducing risk in long deep tunnels by using TBM and drill-and-blast methods in the same project-the hybrid solution

There are many examples of TBM tunnels through mountains, or in mountainous terrain, which have suffered the ultimate fate of abandonment, due to insufficient pre-investigation. Depth-of-drilling limitations are inevitable when depths approach or even exceed l or 2 km. Uncertainties about the geology, hydro-geology, rock stresses and rock strengths go hand-in-hand with deep or ultra-deep tunnels. Unfortunately, unexpected conditions tend to have a much bigger impact on TBM projects than on drill-and-blast projects. There are two obvious reasons. Firstly the circular excavation maximizes the tangential stress, making the relation to rock strength a higher source of potential risk. Secondly, the TBM may have been progressing fast enough to make probe-drilling seem to be unnecessary. If the stress-to-strength ratio becomes too high, or if faulted rock with high water pressure is unexpectedly encountered, the ＂unexpected events＂ may have a remarkable delaying effect on TBM. A simple equation explains this phenomenon, via the adverse local Q-value that links directly to utilization. One may witness dramatic reductions in utilization, meaning ultra-steep deceleration-of-the-TBM gradients in a log-log plot of advance rate versus time. Some delays can be avoided or reduced with new TBM designs, where belief in the need for probe-drilling and sometimes also pre-injection, have been fully appreciated. Drill-and-blast tunneling, inevitably involving numerous ＂probe-holes＂ prior to each advance, should be used instead, if investigations have been too limited. TBM should be used where there is lower cover and where more is known about the rock and structural conditions. The advantages of the superior speed of TBM may then be fully realized. Choosing TBM because a tunnel is very long increases risk due to the law of deceleration with increased length, especially if there is limited pre-investigation because of tunnel depth.

Rock mechanics contributions to recent hydroelectric developments in China

Rock mechanics plays a critical role in the design and construction of hydroelectric projects including large caverns under high in situ stress,deep tunnels with overburden more than 2500 m,and excavated rock slopes of 700 m in height.For this,this paper conducts a review on the rock mechanics contributions to recent hydroelectric developments in China.It includes the development of new testing facilities,mechanical models,recognition methods for mechanical parameters of rock masses,design flowchart and modeling approaches,cracking-restraint method,governing flowchart of rock engineering risk factors enabling the development of risk-reduced design and risk-reduced construction,and initial and dynamic design methods.As an example,the optimal design of underground powerhouses at the Baihetan hydroelectric plant,China,is given.This includes determination of in situ stresses,prediction of deformation and failure depth of surrounding rock masses,development of the optimal excavation scheme and support design.In situ monitoring results of the displacements and excavation damaged zones(EDZs)have verified the rationality of the design methodology.

深埋岩溶隧道爆破开挖对围岩损伤及渗流特性的影响

深埋岩溶隧道开挖会造成围岩特殊的损伤破坏形式,并且损伤区也会影响围岩渗流场及隧道边界的涌水状况,对深埋岩溶隧道爆破开挖作用下围岩的损伤及渗流特性有重要的研究意义。为了研究爆破开挖对深埋岩溶隧道围岩损伤及渗流的影响规律,基于COMSOL Multiphysics软件建立数值模型并嵌入应力-渗流-损伤耦合方程式进行计算,采用解析法计算了简化条件下岩溶隧道开挖时围岩的应力分布,并与数值计算结果进行比较。结果表明:解析法与数值法计算的围岩应力分布有一致性,爆炸荷载使靠近溶洞侧隧道肩部及脚部区域会产生较大的拉应力;爆破后会在隔水岩柱形成“齿”状损伤区,同时引起肩部及脚部区域流速的增加,其可作为判断溶洞方位的参考依据;溶洞净距减小、洞径及水压增加会引起“齿”延伸倾角及最大涌水位置变化、隧道边界涌水量的增加,可根据“齿”延伸方向判断损伤区检测的合理方位,根据最大涌水位置变化、隧道边界涌水量的变化,合理调整涌水防治措施强度及重点防治部位。研究成果可为溶洞位置判定、隧道损伤区检测以及边界涌水防治措施提供参考。

考虑底部塑性区的深埋隧洞围岩压力上限解

基于极限分析理论,提出一种适用于软弱围岩的深埋隧道围岩压力的计算方法。考虑隧道底部塑性变形区的影响,构建纺锤形的破坏模型。基于该破坏模型构建围岩速度场,引入侧压系数λ_(1)和底压系数λ_(2),推导围岩压力的理论计算公式。根据计算公式进行编程优化计算,分析不同非线性系数m下,侧压系数λ_(1)、底压系数λ_(2)对围岩压力的影响。研究结果表明:随着内摩擦角减小,“纺锤”上下两端塑性区不断向外延伸;非线性系数m对围岩压力有显著影响,当非线性系数一致时,提高侧压系数λ_(1)可以降低拱顶和隧道底部压力,提高底压系数λ_(2)可以降低拱顶和边墙压力;在岩土体非线性特征明显的地区,计算深埋隧洞围岩压力时应考虑底部塑性区。

CSAMT深埋长大隧道破碎岩体靶向勘察研究

铁路深埋长大隧道因其埋深大、里程长,同时伴随复杂多变的地质问题,致使地质勘察难以查明、查细,特别是对深埋长大隧道破碎岩体空间分布的精准定位一直是工程勘察中的难题。基于CSAMT三维正反演理论,研究建立了针对深埋长大隧道中破碎岩体靶向勘察模式,从而实现“点-线-面”的精准勘察。通过开展基于四面体网格的CSAMT三维正演和有限内存拟牛顿法的三维反演研究,以及二、三维模型分析对比,验证三维CSAMT在铁路隧道勘察中的优势。在滇西地区某深埋长大隧道TBM掘进工区开展三维“点-线-面”靶向勘察试验,结果表明该勘察体系可靠且精度高,精准探明了TBM卡机工区段前方的花岗岩蚀变带影响范围及其空间展布形态,确定了断层破碎带的影响范围及其空间展布形态,有效提高深埋长大隧道勘察精度。布置靶向测线从“点-线-面”进行三维CSAMT勘察这一思路,对深埋长大隧道的勘察工作提供一定的应用参考价值。

超大埋深软岩隧道平行导洞合理超前距离研究

为解决滇藏铁路丽香线哈巴雪山隧道施工过程中产生的大变形问题,采用数值模拟、现场监测的方法,对哈巴雪山隧道不同平行导洞超前距离下隧道变形及正洞区域应力进行研究,提出平行导洞的合理超前距离。研究结果表明:1)哈巴雪山隧道平行导洞超前正洞的距离应设定为100 m,此时平行导洞对正洞区域的应力释放效果已达90%以上。2)平行导洞的设置使正洞拱顶沉降减小6.92%,上台阶水平收敛减小14.58%,下台阶水平收敛减小10.8%。由此可知,平导超前开挖能够减小正洞支护变形,对正洞水平收敛的控制效果大于拱顶沉降。

金属矿山锚杆锚固下深部岩爆倾向巷道防控技术分析

金属矿山深部岩爆对巷道安全构成严重威胁。防控措施分为主动和被动两方面:主动包括勘查评估、支护设计、监测预警、工艺优化;被动则涵盖应急支护、安全疏散、事故响应。两者相辅相成,形成完整防控体系,保障矿山生产安全。

锚杆锚固下深部岩爆倾向巷道围岩承载层演化机理及特性分析

锚杆锚固下深部岩爆倾向巷道围岩承载层的演化机理及特性分析表明,围岩内部残余强度和剪胀扩容效应是主要影响因素。高残余强度使承载层厚度减小,提高围岩稳定性,降低变形量;而剪胀角越大,承载层厚度越大,围岩稳定性越差,变形量增大。增大支护阻力能够有效控制围岩变形,优化承载层结构,确保巷道的安全和稳定。

金属矿山深部硬岩矿床非爆连续采矿技术及应用

随着我国矿产资源需求的不断攀升及浅层矿产资源的日益枯竭,向深部拓展开采新的矿产资源已成为必然的趋势。首先,针对传统的凿岩爆破工艺在深部开采中面临的诸多挑战,阐述了深部硬岩矿床非爆连续采矿技术及装备。然后,以某深部硬岩矿山为例,详细介绍了非爆连续采矿技术的应用实践,并展示了所带来的积极成效,为深部硬岩矿床非爆连续开采提供案例借鉴;最后,基于实践经验,结合人工智能等前沿技术,提出了矿石制浆与水力输送技术,有望为深井矿石的提升提供一种更为高效、环保的解决方案,进一步优化和提升深部矿山的开采效率和安全性。

西(宁)成(都)铁路高地应力节理发育软岩地层隧道支护体系研究

为保证西成铁路高地应力节理发育软岩大变形隧道安全修建,采用现场勘察、室内试验、地应力测试、工程类比、数值模拟等方法展开研究,结果表明,西成铁路与毗邻兰渝线地质条件类似,均以二叠系、三叠系板岩与砂岩为主,层理清晰、节理裂隙发育,地应力以水平主应力为主导,水平主应力在10~30 MPa之间,竖直主应力在4~13 MPa之间,有较强水平构造应力作用,兰渝线控制围岩变形主要采用增加预留变形量、自进式长锚杆、钢花管加固、增加初支及衬砌刚度、钢纤维喷射混凝土等技术措施。在此基础上针对西成铁路节理发育软岩大变形主要发生在垂直节理倾角方向上的特点,提出首先增大矢跨比,然后增大钢拱架刚度,对于Ⅲ级大变形在垂直节理方向设置预应力锚索的非对称大变形隧道支护体系,该支护体系相比传统支护体系能够减小13.8%~21.2%软岩变形,对于控制节理发育软岩变形效果良好。

广义章-朱准则在深埋隧道数值分析中的适用性研究

深部岩体隧道的智能建造是当今隧道工程建设的重要发展趋势。为准确模拟深部岩体的三维应力状态,提高深埋隧道数值计算精度,将广义章-朱岩体强度准则引入深埋隧道数值分析中,采用理论分析和数值计算相结合的方法从岩体强度准则的特性、参数以及工程应用3个角度对广义章-朱准则在深埋隧道数值分析中的适用性展开研究。结果表明:1)从准则特性的角度,广义章-朱准则能反映深部岩体的非线性特征以及中间主应力效应,适用于深埋隧道数值分析;2)从参数选取角度,提出了一种广义章-朱准则参数估算方法,有利于提高广义章-朱准则的适用性;3)工程案例表明广义章-朱准则具有较高的计算精度,在深埋条件下采用广义Hoek-Brown准则计算得到的围岩变形误差达到23%~30%,建议采用广义章-朱准则进行深埋隧道数值分析。