Numerical investigation of geostress influence on the grouting reinforcement effectiveness of tunnel surrounding rock mass in fault fracture zones

Grouting is a widely used approach to reinforce broken surrounding rock mass during the construction of underground tunnels in fault fracture zones,and its reinforcement effectiveness is highly affected by geostress.In this study,a numerical manifold method(NMM)based simulator has been developed to examine the impact of geostress conditions on grouting reinforcement during tunnel excavation.To develop this simulator,a detection technique for identifying slurry migration channels and an improved fluid-solid coupling(FeS)framework,which considers the influence of fracture properties and geostress states,is developed and incorporated into a zero-thickness cohesive element(ZE)based NMM(Co-NMM)for simulating tunnel excavation.Additionally,to simulate coagulation of injected slurry,a bonding repair algorithm is further proposed based on the ZE model.To verify the accuracy of the proposed simulator,a series of simulations about slurry migration in single fractures and fracture networks are numerically reproduced,and the results align well with analytical and laboratory test results.Furthermore,these numerical results show that neglecting the influence of geostress condition can lead to a serious over-estimation of slurry migration range and reinforcement effectiveness.After validations,a series of simulations about tunnel grouting reinforcement and tunnel excavation in fault fracture zones with varying fracture densities under different geostress conditions are conducted.Based on these simula-tions,the influence of geostress conditions and the optimization of grouting schemes are discussed.

Unconfined compressive strength and failure behaviour of completely weathered granite from a fault zone

Understanding the strength characteristics and deformation behaviour of the tunnel surrounding rock in a fault zone is significant for tunnel stability evaluation.In this study,a series of unconfined compression tests were conducted to investigate the mechanical characteristics and failure behaviour of completely weathered granite(CWG)from a fault zone,considering with height-diameter(h/d)ratio,dry densities(ρd)and moisture contents(ω).Based on the experimental results,a regression mathematical model of unconfined compressive strength(UCS)for CWG was developed using the Multiple Nonlinear Regression method(MNLR).The research results indicated that the UCS of the specimen with a h/d ratio of 0.6 decreased with the increase ofω.When the h/d ratio increased to 1.0,the UCS increasedωwith up to 10.5%and then decreased.Increasingρd is conducive to the improvement of the UCS at anyω.The deformation and rupture process as well as final failure modes of the specimen are controlled by h/d ratio,ρd andω,and the h/d ratio is the dominant factor affecting the final failure mode,followed byωandρd.The specimens with different h/d ratio exhibited completely different fracture mode,i.e.,typical splitting failure(h/d=0.6)and shear failure(h/d=1.0).By comparing the experimental results,this regression model for predicting UCS is accurate and reliable,and the h/d ratio is the dominant factor affecting the UCS of CWG,followed byρd and thenω.These findings provide important references for maintenance of the tunnel crossing other fault fractured zones,especially at low confining pressure or unconfined condition.

Tensile Fractures and in situ Stress Measurement Data Constraints on Cretaceous-Present Tectonic Stress Field Evolution of the Tanlu Fault Zone in Shandong Province,North China Craton

Tectonic stress fields are the key drivers of tectonic events and the evolution of regional structures.The tectonic stress field evolution of the Tanlu fault zone in Shandong Province,located in the east of the North China Craton(NCC),may have preserved records of the NCC’s tectonic history.Borehole television survey and hydraulic fracturing were conducted to analyze the paleo and present tectonic stress fields.Three groups of tensile fractures were identified via borehole television,their azimuths being NNW-SSE,NW-SE and NE-SW,representing multiple stages of tectonic events.Hydraulic fracturing data indicates that the study region is experiencing NEE-SWW-oriented compression and nearly-N-Soriented extension,in accordance with strike-slip and compression.Since the Cretaceous,the orientation of the extensional stress has evolved counterclockwise and sequentially from nearly-NW-SE-oriented to NE-SW-oriented and even nearly N-S-oriented,the stress state having transitioned from strike-slip-extension to strike-slip-compression,in association with the rotating and oblique subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the NCC,with the participation of the Indian Plate.

Extended finite element-based cohesive zone method for modeling simultaneous hydraulic fracture height growth in layered reservoirs

In this study,a fully coupled hydromechanical model within the extended finite element method(XFEM)-based cohesive zone method(CZM)is employed to investigate the simultaneous height growth behavior of multi-cluster hydraulic fractures in layered porous reservoirs with modulus contrast.The coupled hydromechanical model is first verified against an analytical solution and a laboratory experiment.Then,the fracture geometry(e.g.height,aperture,and area)and fluid pressure evolutions of multiple hydraulic fractures placed in a porous reservoir interbedded with alternating stiff and soft layers are investigated using the model.The stress and pore pressure distributions within the layered reservoir during fluid injection are also presented.The simulation results reveal that stress umbrellas are easily to form among multiple hydraulic fractures’tips when propagating in soft layers,which impedes the simultaneous height growth.It is also observed that the impediment effect of soft layer is much more significant in the fractures suppressed by the preferential growth of adjoining fractures.After that,the combined effect of in situ stress ratio and fracturing spacing on the multi-fracture height growth is presented,and the results elucidate the influence of in situ stress ratio on the height growth behavior depending on the fracture spacing.Finally,it is found that the inclusion of soft layers changes the aperture distribution of outmost and interior hydraulic fractures.The results obtained from this study may provide some insights on the understanding of hydraulic fracture height containment observed in filed.

Response of underground pipeline through fault fracture zone to random ground motion

It is assumed that a pipeline is laid through a vertical fault fracture zone, and is excited by seismic ground motion modelled as stationary stochastic process. For horizontal incidence of waves, the cross-PSD （Power Spectral Density） function is developed using wave propagation theory, while for vertical incidence of waves the cross-PSD function is composed by auto-PSD model, coherence model and site response model. As the seismic input, the eross-PSD function is used to calculate the the axial and lateral seismic responses of underground pipeline through the fracture zone. The results show that the incident directions of seismic waves, width and soil property of the fracture zone have great influence on underground pipeline. It is suggested that the flexible joints with appropriate stiffness should be added into the pipeline near the interfaces between the fracture zone and the surrounded media.

Formation mechanism and height calculation of the caved zone and water-conducting fracture zone in solid backfill mining

To study the heights of the caved zone and water-conducting fracture zone in backfill mining,the failure mechanism of strata during backfill mining was analyzed,and a method for determining the heights of the two zones was proposed based on key strata theory.The movement and failure regularity of the strata above the backfilling panel were revealed through numerical simulation.Considering the geologic conditions of the CT101 backfilling panel,the height of the fracture zone was determined using the proposed method along with empirical calculation,numerical simulation,and borehole detection.The results of the new calculation method were similar to in situ measurements.The traditional empirical formula,which is based on the equivalent mining height model,resulted in large errors during calculation.The findings indicate the reliability of the new method and demonstrate its significance for creating reference data for related studies.

Seismic and Tectonic Correspondence of Major Earthquake Regions in Southern Ghana with Mid-Atlantic Transform-Fracture Zones

For four centuries now, southern Ghana has been known to be seismically active, and there is no clear geological explanation for the cause of the seismicity. By evaluating new field data and information with re-interpreted historical earthquake data of southern Ghana, the nature of the seismicity of southern Ghana has been elucidated. The mutual connection between the earthquake epicentres and the remote causes by Mid-Atlantic transform faults and fracture zones has been established. The seismic regions of southern Ghana have been linked separately to tectonic faults and activities of the St. Paul’s and Romanche transform-fracture zone systems offshore in the Gulf of Guinea to onshore. It is concluded that the seismicity of southern Ghana is due to tectonic activities of the St. Paul’s and Romanche transform-fracture systems. The Accra region earthquakes originate from reactivation of faults in the Romanche transform-fracture zone, and propagate onshore through Accra and environs. The Axim region earthquakes come from reactivated faults linked to the St Paul’s fracture zone, which go through southern Cote D’Ivoire to Ghana. Seismotectonic movements along the St Paul’s transform and fracture zones have quieted since 1879. But movement along the Romanche Transform fault and Fracture zone is active, causing ongoing seismicity of southern Ghana.

Fracture network characterisation of the Balmuccia peridotite using drone-based photogrammetry,implications for active-seismic site survey for scientific drilling

The presence of discontinuities(e.g.faults,fractures,veins,layering)in crystalline rocks can be challenging for seismic interpretations because the wide range of their size,orientation,and intensity,which controls the mechanical properties of the rock and elastic wave propagation,resulting in equally varying seismic responses at different scales.The geometrical characterisation of adjacent outcrop discontinuity networks allows a better understanding of the nature of the subsurface rocks and aids seismic interpretation.In this study,we characterise the discontinuity network of the Balmuccia peridotite(BP)in the IvreaeVerbano Zone(IVZ),northwestern Italy.This geological body is the focus of the Drilling the Ivrea eVerbano zonE(DIVE),an international continental scientific drilling project,and two active seismic surveys,SEismic imaging of the Ivrea ZonE(SEIZE)and high-resolution SEIZE(Hi-SEIZE),which aim to resolve the subsurface structure of the DIVE drilling target through high-resolution seismic imaging.For fracture characterisation,we developed two drone-based digital outcrop models(DOMs)at two different resolutions(10^(-3)-10 m and 10^(-1)-10^(3)m),which allowed us to quantitatively characterise the orientation,size,and intensity of the main rock discontinuities.These properties affect the seismic velocity and consequently the interpretation of the seismic data.We found that(i)the outcropping BP discontinuity network is represented by three more sets of fractures with respect to those reported in the literature;(ii)the discontinuity sizes follow a power-law distribution,indicating similarity across scales,and(iii)discontinuity intensity is not uniformly distributed along the outcrop.Our results help to explain the seismic behaviour of the BP detected by the SEIZE survey,suggesting that the low P-wave velocities observed can be related to the discontinuity network,and provide the basic topological parameters(orientation,density,distribution,and aperture)of the fracture network unique to the BP.These,in turn,can be used for interpretation of the Hi-SEIZE seismic survey and forward modelling of the seismic response.

Height Detection and Analysis of Water Flowing Fractured Zone of Coal Face

Taking 91105 working face as the research object, the observation method of water flowing fractured zone and the layout of mining holes were determined by analyzing the field geological structure. It was shown that the fractured zone height and the ratio given by the measured method were 52.33 and 12.46, respectively. By the numerical simulation method with the software of UDEC, the fractured zone height and the ratio were 42.5 and 10.12. By comparison of measured height data and UDEC numerical simulation, there were some differences between the measured height and the calculated results of UDEC numerical simulation method. The method of simulation can be used as the technical basis for the design of waterproof coal pillar in the future.

A method for predicting the water-flowing fractured zone height based on an improved key stratum theory

In the process of using the original key stratum theory to predict the height of a water-flowing fractured zone(WFZ),the influence of rock strata outside the calculation range on the rock strata within the calculation range as well as the fact that the shape of the overburden deformation area will change with the excavation length are ignored.In this paper,an improved key stratum theory(IKS theory)was proposed by fixing these two shortcomings.Then,a WFZ height prediction method based on IKS theory was established and applied.First,the range of overburden involved in the analysis was determined according to the tensile stress distribution range above the goaf.Second,the key stratum in the overburden involved in the analysis was identified through IKS theory.Finally,the tendency of the WFZ to develop upward was determined by judging whether or not the identified key stratum will break.The proposed method was applied and verified in a mining case study,and the reasons for the differences in the development patterns between the WFZs in coalfields in Northwest and East China were also fully explained by this method.

Numerical modelling of spatially and temporally distributed on‑fault induced seismicity:implication for seismic hazards

Induced seismicity is strongly related to various engineering projects that cause anthropogenic in-situ stress change at a great depth.Hence,there is a need to estimate and mitigate the associated risks.In the past,various simulation methods have been developed and applied to induced seismicity analysis,but there is still a fundamental diference between simulation results and feld observations in terms of the spatial distribution of seismic events and its frequency.The present study aims to develop a method to simulate spatially distributed on-fault seismicity whilst reproducing a complex stress state in the fault zone.Hence,an equivalent continuum model is constructed,based on a discrete fracture network within a fault damage zone,by employing the crack tensor theory.A fault core is simulated at the center of the model as a discontinuous plane.Using the model,a heterogeneous stress state with stress anomalies in the fault zone is frst simulated by applying tractions on the model outer boundaries.Subsequently,the efective normal stress on the fault plane is decreased in a stepwise manner to induce slip.The simulation result is validated in terms of the b-value and other seismic source parameters,hence demonstrating that the model can reproduce spatially and temporally distributed on-fault seismicity.Further analysis on the parameters shows the variation of frequency-magnitude distribution before the occurrence of large seismic events.This variation is found to be consistent with feld observations,thus suggesting the potential use of this simulation method in evaluating the risk for seismic hazards in various engineering projects.

Height of fractured zone inside overlying strata under high-intensity mining in China

The height of fractured zone(HFZ) at the high-intensity longwall mining panel plays a vital role in the safety analysis of coal mining under bodies of water. This paper described definitions of the highintensity mining. The processes of overburden failure transfer(OFT) were analyzed, which were divided into the development stage and the termination stage. Through theoretical analysis, the limited suspension-distance and the limited overhanging distance were proposed to judge the damage of each stratum. Mechanical models of strata suspended integrity and overhanging stability were established.A theoretical method to predict the HFZ at the high-intensity longwall mining panel was put forward based on the processes of OFT. Taking a high-intensity longwall mining panel(No. 11915 panel) as an example, the theoretical method proposed, the engineering analogy and the empirical formulas in the Regulation were used to predict the HFZ. The results show that the theoretical result is consistent with the engineering analogies' result and empirical formulas' result. The rationality and reliability of the theoretical method proposed is verified.

Height prediction of water flowing fractured zones based on BP artificial neural network

Factures caused by deformation and destruction of bedrocks over coal seams can easily lead to water flooding(inrush)in mines,a threat to safety production.Fractures with high hydraulic conductivity are good watercourses as well as passages for inrush in mines and tunnels.An accurate height prediction of water flowing fractured zones is a key issue in today's mine water prevention and control.The theory of leveraging BP artificial neural network in height prediction of water flowing fractured zones is analysed and applied in Qianjiaying Mine as an example in this paper.Per the comparison with traditional calculation results,the BP artificial neural network better reflects the geological conditions of the research mine areas and produces more objective,accurate and reasonable results,which can be applied to predict the height of water flowing fractured zones.

Integration of Electrical Resistivity and Electromagnetic Radiation Methods for Fracture Flow System Detection

An electrical resistivity and electromagnetic emission survey was carried out involving the use of vertical electrical soundings (VES) and natural pulse electromagnetic field of the earth (NPEMFE). The use of this new methodology managed to detect the fracture flow system rupture zones in the underground, also answered the questions about the deferent subsurface water bodies. The present study focuses on Marsaba-Feshcha sub-basin in the northeast of the Dead Sea. Due to the scarcity of boreholes in the study area, several geophysical methods were implanted. The combination of these two methods (VES and NPEMFE) with the field observations and East-West transversal faults with the coordination (624437/242888) was determined, cutting through the anticlines with their mainly impervious cores with fracture length of >400 m. These transversal faults saddle inside Nabi Musa syncline (Boqea syncline), leading to a hydraulic connection between the Lower and the Upper Aquifer. Due to the identified transversal fault, the water of the Upper and Lower Aquifer mixed and emerged as springs at Ein Feshcha group.

Failure responses of rock tunnel faces during excavation through the fault-fracture zone

It is essential to cast light on the construction risks in tunnel excavations through the fault-fracture zone(FFZ).This study adopts the material point method(MPM)to simulate the failure responses of a rock tunnel face during excavation through the FFZ.A numerical study was conducted to compare a physical model test and validate the feasibility of using the MPM in simulating tunnel face failure.One hundred ninety numerical simulation cases were constructed to represent a rock tunnel excavation project with different site con-figurations.The simulation results suggest that the cohesion and the friction angle significantly influence failure responses.The tunnel cover depth can magnify the failure responses,and the FFZ thickness significantly affects the mobilized rock mass volume when the FFZ consists of a weak rock mass.The numerical simulation results suggest three deformation patterns:face bulge,partial failure,and slide collapse.The failure responses can be characterized by stress arch,slip surface,angle of reposing,and influence range.The insights suggested by the face failure responses during excavation through the FFZ can aid field engineers in determining the scope of possible damage,and in establishing emergency measures to minimize losses if such failure occurs.

The algorithm of 3D multi-scale volumetric curvature and its application

To fully extract and mine the multi-scale features of reservoirs and geologic structures in time/depth and space dimensions, a new 3D multi-scale volumetric curvature （MSVC） methodology is presented in this paper. We also propose a fast algorithm for computing 3D volumetric curvature. In comparison to conventional volumetric curvature attributes, its main improvements and key algorithms introduce multi-frequency components expansion in time-frequency domain and the corresponding multi-scale adaptive differential operator in the wavenumber domain, into the volumetric curvature calculation. This methodology can simultaneously depict seismic multi-scale features in both time and space. Additionally, we use data fusion of volumetric curvatures at various scales to take full advantage of the geologic features and anomalies extracted by curvature measurements at different scales. The 3D MSVC can highlight geologic anomalies and reduce noise at the same time. Thus, it improves the interpretation efficiency of curvature attributes analysis. The 3D MSVC is applied to both land and marine 3D seismic data. The results demonstrate that it can indicate the spatial distribution of reservoirs, detect faults and fracture zones, and identify their multi-scale properties.

Research on the 1879 South Wudu M8.0 Earthquake and Its Co-Seismic Fracture

Based on field investigations and indoor systematic research of the 1879 South Wudu M8.0 earthquake conducted in recent years, the magnitude, damage, seismic intensity, co-seismic fracture of the earthquake, as well as its seismogenic tectonics and preparation process, have been studied. The paper summarizes the results of studies on location of the earthquake’s macroscopic epicenter, magnitude and co-seismic fracture, with emphasis on the distribution range, type, extent and mechanism of its co-seismic fractures. The research reveals that, (1) the major part of the meizoseismal area of the South Wudu earthquake is located between Wudu and Wenxian in southern Gansu Province. It extends in a NEE direction, its shape is elliptical with the major axis about 70km long and the minor axis 30km. The macroscopic epicenter is located in the vicinity of Baoziba, in the east of the meizoseismal area; (2) three co-seismic fracture belts developed in the meizoseismal area, scattering northeastwards and converging southwestwards; (3) the major fracture belt extends from Baishuijiang at Hanan on the west, to the the bank areas of Bailongjiang river on the east, such as Gushuizi, Toufang and Daoqizi, etc.; (4) the co-seismic fractures consist of earthquake fissure, scarp, bulge, landslide, barrier lake and so on, among which landslides are the most obvious phenomenon; (5) according to the location, geometry and mechanism of the fracture, it is assumed that the co-seismic fracture zone of the South Wudu earthquake is the product of left-lateral strike-slip, associated with a dip-slip in the Hanan-Daoqizi-Maopola fault zone; (6) based on the size of the co-seismic fracture and the observed amount of displacement of the seismogenic fault of the South Wudu earthquake, the magnitude of this event is estimated to be M8.0.

深层-超深层致密储层天然裂缝分布特征及发育规律

天然裂缝是深层-超深层致密储层的有效储集空间和主要渗流通道,影响着致密储层油气的运移、富集、单井产能、开发方式及开发效果。通过对近年来致密储层裂缝研究成果总结和文献综述,分析了深层-超深层致密储层天然裂缝分布特征及发育规律。将致密储层天然裂缝分为大尺度裂缝、中尺度裂缝、小尺度裂缝和微尺度裂缝4个级别。不同尺度裂缝分布具有幂律分布的特点,裂缝尺度越大,数量越少;裂缝尺度越小,数量越多。大、中尺度裂缝主要起渗流作用,小尺度裂缝主要起渗流和储集作用,而微尺度裂缝主要起储集作用。在地层埋藏过程中的应力体制演化决定了不同时期天然裂缝的类型、产状及其力学性质;构造应力大小、岩石力学层的力学性质和厚度差异控制了多尺度裂缝的形成分布及其发育程度。构造变形导致不同构造部位的局部应力和应变分布产生差异,增强了裂缝发育的非均质性。逆冲断层通过控制其上盘地层变形控制了“裂缝域”的分布规律;走滑断层的组合样式、活动方式和岩石力学层共同控制了相关裂缝的三维空间展布。裂缝形成演化过程中的开启-闭合规律决定了裂缝的储集空间,记录了裂缝有效性的演化历史。

四川盆地PT1井区海相地层工程地质特征研究

PT1井区超深海相地层钻井过程中气侵和井漏频发,严重制约该区块的安全高效开发。文章基于有效应力法,利用最优化方法开展了海相地层孔隙压力评价;结合断层和裂缝发育程度探讨了PT1井区气侵和井漏纵横向分布特征。结果表明,受异常高压和裂缝发育程度的双重影响,气侵主要发生在龙潭组,占比达40%;井漏主要发生在筇竹寺组和灯影组,占总漏失量的80%以上。气侵与异常压力、裂缝发育程度、断裂情况等因素有关,异常高压是气侵内在的原因,而断裂带和发育的构造裂缝为气侵提供了必要条件。井漏层位和漏失量主要受一、二级大型断裂带控制,不同断裂带的影响具有显著的叠加效应,断裂带附近发育的构造裂缝为漏失提供了通道,距离F I7断裂越近越易出现漏失,且漏失量越大。研究成果为PT1井区钻井过程井下复杂预防和处理提供了科学支撑。

综采工作面采动覆岩导水裂隙带发育高度综合研究

针对因煤层开采易导致上覆岩层产生裂隙,贯通地下含水层引发矿井水灾的问题,以盘城岭煤业150105工作面为研究背景,采用理论公式、现场井下仰孔注水测漏法和钻孔电视成像探测法,以及FLAC3D和UDEC数值模拟综合分析导水裂隙带的高度和发育规律。理论计算导水裂隙带的最大高度为81.56 m;通过井下仰孔注水测漏法监测3个钻孔的注水渗透量梯度临界值为12 L/min,通过临界值判定导水裂隙带高度为78.56~79.99 m;通过钻孔电视成像探测法观测钻孔内裂隙分布判定导水裂隙带高度为78.39~79.46 m;利用FLAC3D和UDEC数值模拟,根据覆岩塑性区变化特征,当工作面推进至180 m时,裂隙发生贯通,塑性区最大高度达到76.4 m,并根据覆岩塑性区变化、垂直应力分布、垂直位移云图分析了导水裂隙带发育规律的3个阶段。对不同方法下的导水裂隙带高度进行了相互验证。