A novel indirect optical method for rock stress measurement using microdeformation field analysis

Stress measurement plays a crucial role in geomechanics and rock engineering,especially for the design and construction of large-scale rock projects.This paper presents a novel method,based on the traditional stress relief approach,for indirectly measuring rock stress using optical techniques.The proposed method allows for the acquisition of full-field strain evolution on the borehole’s inner wall before and after disturbance,facilitating the determination of three-dimensional(3D)stress information at multiple points within a single borehole.The study focuses on presenting the method’s theoretical framework,laboratory validation results,and equipment design conception.The theoretical framework comprises three key components:the optical imaging method of the borehole wall,the digital image correlation(DIC)method,and the stress calculation procedure.Laboratory validation tests investigate strain field distribution on the borehole wall under varying stress conditions,with stress results derived from DIC strain data.Remarkably,the optical method demonstrates better measurement accuracy during the unloading stage compared to conventional strain gauge methods.At relatively high stress levels,the optical method demonstrates a relative error of less than 7%and an absolute error within 0.5 MPa.Furthermore,a comparative analysis between the optical method and the conventional contact resistance strain gauge method highlights the optical method’s enhanced accuracy and stability,particularly during the unloading stage.The proposed optical stress measurement device represents a pioneering effort in the application of DIC technology to rock engineering,highlighting its potential to advance stress measurement techniques in the field.

Correlation between the rock mass properties and maximum horizontal stress:A case study of overcoring stress measurements

Understanding the mechanical properties of the lithologies is crucial to accurately determine the horizontal stress magnitude.To investigate the correlation between the rock mass properties and maximum horizontal stress,the three-dimensional(3D)stress tensors at 89 measuring points determined using an improved overcoring technique in nine mines in China were adopted,a newly defined characteristic parameter C_(ERP)was proposed as an indicator for evaluating the structural properties of rock masses,and a fuzzy relation matrix was established using the information distribution method.The results indicate that both the vertical stress and horizontal stress exhibit a good linear growth relationship with depth.There is no remarkable correlation between the elastic modulus,Poisson's ratio and depth,and the distribution of data points is scattered and messy.Moreover,there is no obvious relationship between the rock quality designation(RQD)and depth.The maximum horizontal stress σ_(H) is a function of rock properties,showing a certain linear relationship with the C_(ERP)at the same depth.In addition,the overall change trend of σ_(H) determined by the established fuzzy identification method is to increase with the increase of C_(ERP).The fuzzy identification method also demonstrates a relatively detailed local relationship betweenσ_H and C_(ERP),and the predicted curve rises in a fluctuating way,which is in accord well with the measured stress data.

Analytical investigation for stress measurement with the rheological stress recovery method in deep soft rock

Due to the difficulty and weakness of current stress measurement methods in deep soft rock, a new rheological stress recovery method of the determination of the three-dimensional(3D) stress tensor is proposed. It is supposed that rock stresses will recovery gradually with time and can be measured by embedding transducers into the borehole. In order to explore the applicability and accuracy of this method, analytical solutions are developed for stress measurement with the rheological stress recovery method in a viscoelastic surrounding rock, the rheological properties of which are depicted as both the Burger's model and a 3-parameter solid model. In such conditions, explicit analytical expressions for predicting time-dependent pressures on the transducer are derived. A parametric analysis is then adopted to investigate the influences of the grout solidification time and the mechanical properties of the grout layer. The results indicate that this method is suitable for stress measurement in deep soft rock, the characteristics of which are soft, fractured and subjected to high geo-stress.

Digital Image Correlation Using Specific Shape Function for Stress Intensity Factor Measurement

The stress intensity factor (SIF) is a critical parameter associated with the fracture behaviour of materials. In this paper, we select the displacement function around a crack tip as the shape function of the digital image correlation (DIC), which makes it possible to directly calculate the SIF by the correlation scheme. Moreover, we use a non-rectangular subset, which can reduce the influence of plastic deformation and crack width on the DIC measurement accuracy. We measured the SIF of a mode I crack in a super-hard aluminium alloy specimen to verify the performance of the proposed method. Our experimental results show that a DIC with a specific shape function can be used to accurately and efficiently calculate the SIF. Furthermore, we also present a practical application of our proposed method for determining the SIF, crack propagation angle and crack tip displacement. © 2017, Tianjin University and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Crustal Stress Measurement for Significant Project Construction and Its Application in Design

The hydrofracturing technique has developed into a reliable and practical method for determining the original three-dimensional crustal stress state of underground caverns,the load-bearing capacity of a high pressure cavern itself,and the high pressure hydraulic permeability of rock masses,and has also been extensively used in disposal of nuclear waste,long and deeply-buried traffic channels and high-pressure cavern engineering for hydraulic power plants.The practice shows that the comprehensive measurement of the physical parameters of the rock mass and taking full use of the wall rock load-bearing capacity to optimize the engineering design hold are very useful in ensuring the engineering safety and improving the design level.

Blasting induced dynamic stress concentration and failure characteristics of deep-buried rock tunnel

In this study,the dynamic stress concentration factors(DSCF)around a straight-wall arch tunnel(SWAT)were solved analytically utilizing the complex variable function methods and Duhamel’s integral.The effects of wavelength,incident angle,and blasting rising time on the DSCF distribution were analyzed.Theoretical results pointed out dynamic disturbances resulting in compressive stress concentration in the vertical direction and tensile stress in the incident direction.As the wavelength and rising time increased,there was a tendency for the amplitude of stress concentration to initially rise and then converge.Moreover,a series of 3D FEM models were established to evaluate the effect of different initial stress states on the dynamic failure of the tunnel surrounding rock.The results indicated that the failure of the surrounding rock was significantly influenced by the direction of the static maximum principal stress and the direction of the dynamic disturbance.Under the coupling of static and blasting loading,damage around the tunnel was more prone to occur in the dynamic and static stress concentration coincidence zone.Finally,the damage modes of rock tunnel under static stress and blasting disturbance from different directions were summarized and a proposed support system was presented.The results reveal the mechanisms of deep-buried rock tunnel destruction and dynamically triggered rockburst.

MEASUREMENT AND RESEARCH OF SURROUNDING ROCK PRESSURE OF DEEP SHAFT

The whole depth measuring plan and its implementation method of surrounding rock mass pressure on the wall′s of a shafts are described, which is in Suncun Coal Mine with a depth of 1 000 m.Then with the combination of data processing, it is discussed the effects of such factors on the distribution law of shaft surrounding rock pressures as rock quality,burying depth, end effect due to excavating, rock stratum dip, shaft wall structure form and regression formulae relating to the shafts surrounding rock pressures as well as to several other factors.And finally, the measured results were verified according to the comparison between analyses of stress strain of side walls and side wall strain measurements.

Principle of in-situ 3D rock stress measurement with borehole wall stress relief method and its preliminary applications to determination of in-situ rock stress orientation and magnitude in Jinping hydropower station

As a main constituent of geological body, the rock masses have distinct differences from other materials, one of which is that rock masses are initially stressed in their natural states. Hence, it is an extremely challenging and significant research project to know the present residual stress of the rock masses in the earth's crust. Although some regularities of distribution of in-situ rock stresses can be deduced, the basic means to study the state of rock stress is in-situ stress measurement. After a brief review of several measuring methods of in-situ 3D rock stress, a new one, borehole wall stress relief method (BWSRM) to determine the in-situ 3D rock stress tensor in a single drilled borehole was proposed. Based on the principle of in-situ rock stress measurement with BWSRM, an original geostress measuring instrument was designed and manufactured. Preliminary experiments for determination of in-situ stress orientation and magnitude were carried out at an experimental tunnel in Jinping Ⅱ hydropower station in China, where the buried depth of overburden was about 2430 m. The results showed that it was feasible to measure the in-situ 3D rock stresses with BWSRM presented in this paper. The BWSRM has a broad prospect for in-situ 3D rock stress measurements in practical rock engineering.

Experimental study on time-dependent stress and strain of in-plane shear(ModeⅡ) fracture process of rock

Shear-box test with strain measurement was used to study time-dependent stress and strain of in-plane shear(Mode Ⅱ) fracture process of rock and to reveal the mechanism of Mode Ⅱ fracture.Numerical results show that the maximum shear stress τmax at the crack tip is much larger than the maximum tensile stress σ1 and the ratio of τmax/σ1 is about 5,which favors Mode Ⅱ fracture of rock.Test results indicate that the strain-time curve comprises three stages:the linear deformation stage,the micro-cracking stage and the macroscopic crack propagation.The strain in the direction of the original notch plane is negative,due to restraining effect of compressive loading applied to the original notch plane.Both σ1 and τmax are increased as the load increases,but the slope of τmax is larger than that of σ1 and the value of τmax is always larger than that of σ1.Therefore,τmax reaches its limited value at peak load before σ1 and results in Mode Ⅱ fracture of rock.Shear-box(i.e.compression-shear) test becomes a potential standard method for achieving the true Mode Ⅱ fracture and determining Mode Ⅱ fracture toughness of rock.

Determination of mining-induced stresses using diametral rock core deformations

Knowledge of ground stresses is crucial for ground control activities such as the design of underground openings,selec-tion of support systems,and analysis for stability.However,it is a known fact that far field stresses experience changes in orientation and magnitude due to the presence of geological structures and due to the excavations created by mining activi-ties.As a result,in-situ stresses around drifts,ramps,and stopes in underground mines are quite different from far field or pre-mining stresses.The purpose of this research is to develop a simple and practical methodology for determining in-situ stresses.Stress relief occurs once the rock core is drilled off.Such relief is a function of the surrounding stress field.This study uses exploration rock cores that are drilled off for the purpose of orebody definition in the underground mine.The method measures and analyzes the diametral core deformations in laboratory.Two case studies from operating underground mines are presented for demonstration.In these case studies,rock core deformations are measured with a customized test apparatus and rock samples were prepared and tested for Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio.The differential stress,namely the difference between the local principal stresses in the plane perpendicular to the core rock axis is calculated.It is shown that this methodology is useful for determining the brittle shear ratio in the rock mass,which is of primary interest to ground control studies.

A simplified testing method for stress-induced of tunnel surrounding rock

A simple testing method for secondary or induced stress of surrounding rockwas presented by laboratory experiment, numerical simulation and in situ testing based onthe basic principle of the historical stress restoring method.First, stress equivalent coefficient,which key coefficient of stress restored testing, was obtained by laboratory experiment.Second, experimental results were examined using 3D finite element numericalanalysis and the influence factors were analyzed by 2D finite element numerical analysis.The correctness of induced stress measuring results in situ for highway tunnel wereproved by elastic mechanics theory solution and single-hole stress rescission method.Thenew simple method of induced stress measuring has important practical value for undergroundengineering induced stress field analysis.

DDM regression analysis of the in-situ stress field in a non-linear fault zone

A multivariable regression analysis of the in-situ stress field, which considers the non-linear deformation behavior of faults in practical projects, is presented based on a newly developed three-dimensional displacement discontinuity method （DDM） program. The Bar- ton-Bandis model and the Kulhaway model are adopted as the normal and the tangential deformation model of faults, respectively, where the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is satisfied. In practical projects, the values of the mechanical parameters of rock and faults are restricted in a bounded range for in-situ test, and the optimal mechanical parameters are obtained from this range by a loop. Comparing with the traditional finite element method （FEM）, the DDM regression results are more accurate.

Laboratory tests to study the influence of rock stress confinement on the performances of TBM discs in tunnels

To clarify some aspects of rock destruction with a disc acting on a high confined tunnel face, a series of tests were carried out to examine fracture mechanisms under an indenter that simulates the tunnel boring machine （TBM） tool action, in the presence of an adjacent groove, when a state of stress （lateral confinement） is imposed on a rock sample. These tests proved the importance of carefully establishing the optimal distance of grooves produced by discs acting on a confined surface, and the value （as a mere order of magnitude） of the increase of the thrust to produce the initiation of chip formation, as long as the confinement pressure becomes greater.

Examination of effective stress in clay rock

This paper examines the effective stress in indurated clay rock theoretically and experimentally.A stress concept is derived from the analysis of the microstructure and of the pore water in the highly-indurated Callovo-Oxfordian and Opalinus clay rocks,and subsequently validated by various experiments performed on these claystones.The concept suggests that the interparticle or effective stress in a dense clay ewater system is transferred through both the adsorbed interparticle pore water in narrow pores and the solidesolid contact between non-clay mineral grains.The experiments show that the adsorbed pore water in the claystones is capable of bearing deviatoric effective stresses up to the failure strength.The applied stresses are for the most part or even totally transferred by the bound pore water,i.e.the swelling pressure in the interparticle bound pore water is almost equivalent to the effective stress.This stress concept provides a reasonable view to the nature of the effective stress in argillaceous rock and forms the fundamental basis for studies of the hydro-mechanical properties and processes in clay formations.

Three-Dimensional Thermo-Elastic-Plastic Finite Element Method Modeling for Predicting Weld-Induced Residual Stresses and Distortions in Steel Stiffened-Plate Structures

The objective of the present paper is to develop nonlinear finite element method models for predicting the weld-induced initial deflection and residual stress of plating in steel stiffened-plate structures. For this purpose, three-dimensional thermo-elastic-plastic finite element method computations are performed with varying plate thickness and weld bead length (leg length) in welded plate panels, the latter being associated with weld heat input. The finite element models are verified by a comparison with experimental database which was obtained by the authors in separate studies with full scale measurements. It is concluded that the nonlinear finite element method models developed in the present paper are very accurate in terms of predicting the weld-induced initial imperfections of steel stiffened plate structures. Details of the numerical computations together with test database are documented.

Stabilisation of estuarine sediments with an alkali-activated cement for deep soil mixing applications

In this work,an alternative alkali-activated cement(AAC)made of ladle slag precursor mixed with sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate has been developed to enhance the bearing capacity of estuarine soils in coastal conditions via deep soil mixing(DSM).The AAC was optimized to use a low reactivity precursor(ladle slag)and to deal with a contaminated high-water content natural sediment cured under water.The material performance was analysed by comparison to a mixture made with Portland cement and cured in the same conditions.Flexural and unconfined compressive strength tests as well as seismic waves measurements after 3-,7-,14-and 28-d curing were performed to obtain a relationship between elastic stiffness and strength with curing time for both mixtures.Remarkably,the AAC mix demonstrated superior strength results,exhibiting almost double flexural and compressive strengths after 28 d compared to the Portland cement mix.The AAC mix also showed a higher rate of stiffness increase than the Portland cement mix,which has a higher initial stiffness at young ages but lower stiffness evolution.Leachate analysis confirmed that the proposed AAC could effectively immobilise any contaminants from soil or precursors.The effect of curing under stress was analysed in triaxial compression tests and found to be insignificant,indicating that laboratory data obtained without stress curing can represent the material's behaviour in a DSM column,which will cure under the weight of the column.

Stress Analysis of the Sarafix External Fixator Design

A stress analysis of the Sarafix external fixator design was performed using finite element analysis （FEA） and experimental tensometric measurements. The study was conducted at one of the Sarafix fixator configurations that have a clinical application in the treatment of tibia fractures. The intensity of principal and yon Mises stresses generated at two measuring points （MP） on the fixator connecting rod were monitored and analyzed during the testing on axial compression on the fixator design and its finite element model （FEM）. The 3D geometrical and FEM model of the fixator was formed using the computer aided design/computer aided engineering （CAD/CAE） software system CATIA. Verification of the results for the dominant principal stresses obtained from FEA was carried out through tensometric measurements. The measuring chain consisted of strain gauges connected into two Wheatstone half-bridges, digital measuring amplifier system and a computer with software for acquisition and monitoring of measurement results. A quite good agreement was observed between the results obtained on the basis of FEA and results of experimental tensometric analysis,

Core discing characteristics and mitigation approach by a novel developed drill bit in deep rocks

Core discing often occurs in deep rocks under high-stress conditions and has been identified as an important characteristic for deep rock engineering.This paper presents the formation mechanism of core discing firstly.Then,the interaction between diamond drill bits and rock was analyzed based on numerical modeling.A novel drill bit with an inner conical crown for the mitigation of core discing was designed and verified by simulation experiments.The mitigation method was applied in the cavern B1 of CJPL-Ⅱand satisfactory results had been achieved.The percentage of core discing had been obviously decreased from 67.8%when drilling with a rectangular crown drill bit,to 26.5%when an inner conical crown drill bit had been adopted.This paper gives full insight into core discing characteristics and provides a new method for core discing mitigation;it will potentially contribute to stress measurement in deep rock engineering.

Study on main contents of design of rock fill dam with face slab

With the development of economy, the adjustment of industrial structure, the improvement of people＇s living standard and the expansion of urbanization, the structure of the city has changed a lot. The proportion of industrial use of electricity decreased year by year, the proportion of household electricity, commercial electricity and public utilities increased year by year, the peak and valley change increased year by year. Therefore, the construction of hydropower project, to improve the current situation of the system of regulating the power grid, has a positive role in promoting. Reinforced rock fill dam with face slab in foreign countries has been built and at the dam more than 50m high dam more than 70 seats, of which more than 100m high dam 18. At present, Brazil estuary aliya rock fill dam is the highest dam in this kind of dam in the world, built in 1980, has been running well. Our reinforced rock fill dam with face slab design and construction technology in the introduction of digestion and absorption of foreign advanced experience in the foundation, the systemic research on a considerable scale. The design level and construction technology of the rock fill dam with face slab in our country have reached the international advanced level by the complete technology of the construction of the 100m level rock fill dam with face slab. This paper mainly from the rock fill dam with face slab, dam type selection and layout of water conservancy project comparison; dam profile design; detail dam; dam high determined; stability analysis; strength calculation; overflow capacity check aspects were studied.

Back-analysing rock mass modulus from monitoring data of two tunnels in Sydney, Australia

This paper presents two case studies where the rock mass modulus and in situ stress are estimated from the monitoring data obtained during the construction of underground excavations in Sydney,Australia.The case studies comprise the widening of existing twin road tunnels within Hawkesbury sandstone and the excavation of a large cavern within Ashfield shale.While back-analysis from detailed systematic monitoring has been previously published,this paper presents a relatively simple methodology to derive rock mass modulus and in situ stress from the relatively simple displacement data routinely recorded during tunnelling.