Roof collapse mechanism of weak surrounding rock for deep-buried tunnels under high geostress conditions

High geostress,a typical attribute of tunnels located at significant depths,is crucial in causing stress-induced failure and influencing the stability of the tunnel crown.This study developed an analytical method for the failure mechanism that occurs in deep-buried tunnel roofs,taking into account the influence of geostress.The limit analysis theory was utilized for deriving analytical solutions about the geometry of the collapsing surface and the limit supporting pressure.The collapsing surface obtained by the analytical solution was validated by the findings of the physical model test,which shows a high level of agreement with the actual one.An extensive investigation was done to explore the effects of the lateral pressure coefficients,the tunnel buried depth,the geological conditions of the surrounding rock,the long-short axis ratio,and the size of the tunnel profile.The findings indicate that an increase in the lateral pressure coefficient from 0.5 to 1.5 results in a reduction in the height of the collapsing zone by 2.08 m and the width of the collapsing zone by 1.15 m,while simultaneously increases the limit supporting pressure by 18.9%.The proposed upper bound method accurately determines the limit supporting pressure and the geometry of the collapsing surface,which aligns well with the results acquired through numerical modelling and on-site monitoring in actual engineering applications.The proposed analytical method can serve as a reference for similar crown failure issues of deep-buried tunnels.

Fisher discriminant analysis model and its application for prediction of classification of rockburst in deep-buried long tunnel

A Fisher discriminant analysis （FDA） model for the prediction of classification of rockburst in deep-buried long tunnel was established based on the Fisher discriminant theory and the actual characteristics of the project. First, the major factors of rockburst, such as the maximum tangential stress of the cavern wall σθ, uniaxial compressive strength σc, uniaxial tensile strength or, and the elastic energy index of rock Wet, were taken into account in the analysis. Three factors, Stress coefficient σθ/σc, rock brittleness coefficient σc/σt, and elastic energy index Wet, were defined as the criterion indices for rockburst prediction in the proposed model. After training and testing of 12 sets of measured data, the discriminant functions of FDA were solved, and the ratio of misdiscrimina- tion is zero. Moreover, the proposed model was used to predict rockbursts of Qinling tunnel along Xi＇an-Ankang railway. The results show that three forecast results are identical with the actual situation. Therefore, the prediction accuracy of the FDA model is acceptable.

Analytical solution for steady seepage into a circular deep-buried mountain tunnel with grouted zone in anisotropic strata

Due to the existence of a large number of discontinuous fractures and interfaces in tunnel surrounding rocks,the groundwater inflow into tunnel generally presents significant anisotropy.Therefore,it is of great significance to consider the anisotropic permeability when dealing with water gushing-induced engineering accidents in water-rich mountain tunnels with large burial depth.In this study,based on the complex variable method and the seepage flow theory,a theoretical model of water inflow into a deep-buried circular tunnel in a fully saturated,anisotropic and semi-infinite aquifer is developed.The influence of grouted zone,initial support and secondary lining is fully considered.By comparison to the existing analytical methods and numerical results,the reliability of this proposed analytical solution is well validated.It is indicated from the parametric study that the groundwater inflow into tunnel presents an upward trend with an increasing value of the strata permeability in the vertical direction.Moreover,the water inflow rate and the total water head decrease with the growth of the thickness of grouting circle.It is suggested that reasonable grouting thickness and permeability should be controlled to enhance the grouting effect.This study provides a practical method for estimating the water inflow into a deep-buried,grouted and lined mountain tunnel considering the anisotropic strata permeability.

Experimental study on similarity materials for soft rock of deep-buried tunnels

When every parameter is properly scaled down in accordance with some similarity coefficients, it is possible to study the physical-mechanical properties of rock mass with a scale model. To identify the key mechanisms of soft rock in deep buried tunnels, the proper sand, binder and ratio were selected. During the process, the model manufacture technology was introduced and typical tests were done and the results were presented. The physical and meehanieal properties effects caused by each composition were discussed. It is shown that the physical and mechanical properties of chosen ratio material such as uniaxial compressive strength tests, elasticity modulus, tensile strength, internal frictional angle, and Poisson＇s ratio meet with similarity relationship well. The physical and mechanical properties of deep soft rock are simulated successfully.

Stress wave propagation and incompatible deformation mechanisms in rock discontinuity interfaces in deep-buried tunnels

Complex weak structural planes and fault zones induce significant heterogeneity,discontinuity,and nonlinear characteristics of a rock mass.When an earthquake occurs,these characteristics lead to extremely complex seismic wave propagation and vibrational behaviors and thus pose a huge threat to the safety and stability of deep buried tunnels.To investigate the wave propagation in a rock mass with different structural planes and fault zones,this study first introduced the theory of elastic wave propagation and elastodynamic principles and used the Zoeppritz equation to describe wave field decomposition and develop a seismic wave response model accordingly.Then,a physical wave propagation model was constructed to investigate seismic waves passing through a fault,and dynamic damage was analyzed by using shaking table tests.Finally,stress wave attenuation and dynamic incompatible deformation mechanisms in a rock mass with fault zones were explored.The results indicate that under the action of weak structural planes,stress waves appear as a complex wave field decomposition phenomenon.When a stress wave spreads to a weak structural plane,its scattering may transform into a tensile wave,generating tensile stress and destabilizing the rock mass;wave dynamic energy is absorbed by a low-strength rock through wave scattering,which significantly weakens the seismic load.Wave propagation accelerates the initiation and expansion of internal defects in the rock mass and leads to a dynamic incompatible deformation.This is one of the main causes for large deformation and even instability within rock masses.These findings provide an important reference and guide with respect to stability analysis of rock mass with weak structural planes and fault zones.

Visual fatigue relief zone in an extra-long tunnel using virtual reality with wearable EEG-based devices

Long-time driving and monotonous visual environment increase the safety risk of driving in an extra-long tunnel. Driving fatigue can be effectively relieved by setting the visual fatigue relief zone in the tunnel. However, the setting form of visual fatigue relief zone, such as its length and location, is difficult to be designed and quantified. By integrating virtual reality(VR) apparatus with wearable electroencephalogram(EEG)-based devices, a hybrid method was proposed in this study to assist analyzers to formulate the layout of visual fatigue relief zone in the extra-long tunnel.The virtual environment of this study was based on an 11.5 km extra-long tunnel located in Yunnan Province in China.The results indicated that the use of natural landscape decoration inside the tunnel could improve driving fatigue with the growth rate of attention of the driver increased by more than 20%. The accumulation of driving fatigue had a negative effect on the fatigue relief. The results demonstrated that the optimal location of the fatigue relief zone was at the place where driving fatigue had just occurred rather than at the place where a certain amount of driving fatigue had accumulated.