Determination of geological strength index of jointed rock mass based on image processing

The geological strength index(GSI) system,widely used for the design and practice of mining process,is a unique rock mass classification system related to the rock mass strength and deformation parameters based on the generalized Hoek-Brown and Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria.The GSI can be estimated using standard chart and field observations of rock mass blockiness and discontinuity surface conditions.The GSI value gives a numerical representation of the overall geotechnical quality of the rock mass.In this study,we propose a method to determine the GSI quantitatively using photographic images of in situ jointed rock mass with image processing technology,fractal theory and artificial neural network(ANN).We employ the GSI system to characterize the jointed rock mass around the working in a coal mine.The relative error between the proposed value and the given value in the GSI chart is less than 3.6%.

Effects of confinement on rock mass modulus:A synthetic rock mass modelling(SRM) study

The main objective of this paper is to examine the influence of the applied confining stress on the rock mass modulus of moderately jointed rocks（well interlocked undisturbed rock mass with blocks formed by three or less intersecting joints）. A synthetic rock mass modelling（SRM） approach is employed to determine the mechanical properties of the rock mass. In this approach, the intact body of rock is represented by the discrete element method（DEM）-Voronoi grains with the ability of simulating the initiation and propagation of microcracks within the intact part of the model. The geometry of the preexisting joints is generated by employing discrete fracture network（DFN） modelling based on field joint data collected from the Brockville Tunnel using LiDAR scanning. The geometrical characteristics of the simulated joints at a representative sample size are first validated against the field data, and then used to measure the rock quality designation（RQD）, joint spacing, areal fracture intensity（P21）, and block volumes. These geometrical quantities are used to quantitatively determine a representative range of the geological strength index（GSI）. The results show that estimating the GSI using the RQD tends to make a closer estimate of the degree of blockiness that leads to GSI values corresponding to those obtained from direct visual observations of the rock mass conditions in the field. The use of joint spacing and block volume in order to quantify the GSI value range for the studied rock mass suggests a lower range compared to that evaluated in situ. Based on numerical modelling results and laboratory data of rock testing reported in the literature, a semi-empirical equation is proposed that relates the rock mass modulus to confinement as a function of the areal fracture intensity and joint stiffness.

Revisiting rock classification to estimate rock mass properties

This paper presents the results of ongoing research carried out by the author exploring methods to provide a more robust estimate of rock mass properties specifically for use in tunnel design.Data from various large-scale rock mass failures are introduced,including coal pillars.The damage-initiation,spalling-limit approach is compared to the coal pillar database.New comparisons of estimating the geological strength index(GSI)and relationships to estimate the Hoek-Brown failure criterion parameters,mb,s and a,are presented.

Strength of massive to moderately jointed hard rock masses

The Hoek-Brown (HB) failure criterion and the geological strength index (GSI) were developed for the estimation of rock mass strength in jointed and blocky ground where rock mass failure is dominated by sliding along open joints and rotation of rock blocks. In massive, veined and moderately jointed rock in which rock blocks cannot form without failure of intact rock, the approach to obtain HB parameters must be modified. Typical situations when these modifications are required include the design of pillars, excavation and cavern stability, strainburst potential assessment, and tunnel support in deep underground conditions (around σ1/σci > 0.15, where σ1 is the major principal compressive stress and σci is the unconfined compressive strength of the homogeneous rock) in hard brittle rocks with GSI ≥ 65. In this article, the strength of massive to moderately jointed hard rock masses is investigated, and an approach is presented to estimate the rock mass strength envelope using laboratory data from uniaxial and triaxial compressive strength tests without reliance on the HB-GSI equations. The data from tests on specimens obtained from massive to moderately jointed heterogeneous (veined) rock masses are used to obtain the rock and rock mass strengths at confining stress ranges that are relevant for deep tunnelling and mining;and a methodology is presented for this purpose from laboratory data alone. By directly obtaining the equivalent HB rock mass strength envelope for massive to moderately jointed rock from laboratory tests, the HB-GSI rock mass strength estimation approach is complemented for conditions where the GSIequations are not applicable. Guidance is also provided on how to apply the proposed approach when laboratory test data are not or not yet available.

Assessment of Rock Mass Quality and Support Estimation along Headrace Tunnel of a Small Hydropower in District Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The main purpose of this study is to classify the rock mass quality by using rock mass quality (Q) and Rock Mass Rating (RMR) systems along headrace tunnel of small hydropower in Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Geological field work was carried out to determine the orientation, spacing, aperture, roughness and alteration of discontinuities of rock mass. The quality of rock mass along the tunnel route is classified as good to very poor quality by Q system, while very good to very poor by RMR classification system. The relatively good rock conditions are acquired via RMR values that are attributed to ground water conditions, joint spacing, RQD and favorable orientation of discontinuities with respect to the tunnel drive. The petrographic studies revealed that study area is mainly comprised of five major geological rock units namely quartz mica schist (QMS), garnet mica schist (GMS), garnet bearing quartz mica schist (G-QMS), calcareous schist (CS), marble (M). The collected samples of quartz mica schist, marble and garnet bearing quartz mica schist are fine to medium grained, compact and are cross cut by few discontinuities having greater spacing. Therefore, these rocks have greater average RQD, Q values, RMR ratings as compared to garnet mica schist and calcareous schist.

Discussion on“Empirical methods for determining shaft bearing capacity of semi-deep foundations socketed in rocks”[J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 6(2017)1140-151]

A new comprehensive set of data（n = 178） is compiled by adding a data set（n = 72） collected by Arioglu et al.（2007） to the data set（n = 106） presented in Rezazadeh and Eslami（2017）. Then, the compiled data set is evaluated regardless of the variation in lithology/strength. The proposed empirical equation in this study comprises a wider range of uniaxial compressive strength（UCS）（0.15 MPa 〈 σ_（rc） 〈156 MPa） and various rock types. Rock mass cuttability index（RMCI） is correlated with shaft resistance（r_s） to predict the shaft resistance of rock-socketed piles. The prediction capacity of the RMCI versus r_s equation is also found to be in a fair good agreement with the presented data in Rezazadeh and Eslami（2017）. Since the RMCI is a promising parameter in the prediction of shaft resistance, the researchers in the rock-socketed pile design area should consider this parameter in the further investigations.

Reply to Discussion on “Empirical methods for determining shaft bearing capacity of semi-deep foundations socketed in rocks”

Semi-deep foundations socketed in rocks are considered to be a viable option for the foundations in the presence of heavy loads imposed by high-rise buildings and special structures, due to the low settlement and high bearing capacity. In this study, the unconfined compressive strength（UCS） and rock mass cuttability index（RMCI） have been applied to investigating the shaft bearing capacity. For this purpose, a comprehensive database of 178 full-scale load tests is compiled by adding a data set（n = 72）collected by Arioglu et al.（2007） to the data set（n = 106） presented in Rezazadeh and Eslami（2017）.Using the database, the applicability and accuracy of the existing empirical methods are evaluated and new relations are derived between the shaft bearing capacity and UCS/RMCI. Moreover, a general equation in case of unknown rock types is proposed and it is verified by another set of data（series 3 in Rezazadeh and Eslami（2017））. Since rock-socketed shafts are supported by rock mass（not intact rock）,a reduction factor for the compressive strength is suggested and verified in which the effect of discontinuities is considered using the modified UCS, based upon RMR and RQD to consider the effect of the rock mass properties.

基于量化GSI系统对地下岩体力学参数的估算

地下岩体力学参数的准确获取可以为破碎岩体支护设计、采矿方法优化提供一定数据支撑,对保护井下作业人员安全起着重要作用。为准确、便捷获得地下岩体力学参数,采用岩体结构等级SR、岩体结构面等级SCR以及岩体完整性系数Kv 3个指标,通过多指标交集定量化获取GSI值,并结合地质强度指标GSI与扰动参数D之间存在的数理关系,量化扰动参数D,并应用Hoek-Brown强度准则确定岩体力学参数。将实际地质调查结果与室内岩石力学试验相结合,估算某地下铁矿岩体力学性能指标,发现矿体力学性能明显弱于围岩约60%,表明需加强进路巷道以及矿岩边界处的支护强度,该估算方法对地下岩体稳定性优化设计具有重要的指导意义。

倾倒型危岩体空间振动特征及损伤识别

目前,基于动力学指标反映危岩体损伤的研究多集中于分析危岩体单方向振动特征,当无法判断结构面演化方向或演化方向为多方向时,难以准确识别危岩体损伤。为探究危岩体损伤演化过程的空间3维振动特征,得到可反映危岩体空间3维损伤演化过程的高敏感性指标,本文将危岩体视为3维实体,通过数值模拟分析了倾倒型危岩体振型特征,并基于弹簧-质子摆振模型推导了危岩体水平向摆振和竖向摆振的振幅和固有频率的计算公式。结果表明:危岩体不同振型对其损伤的敏感性与结构面演化方向有关。单向动力学指标敏感性由该方向主振型决定,因此指标敏感性受结构面演化方向控制。监测方向与结构面法向或结构面演化方向一致时,指标敏感性最高;监测方向为结构面演化方向垂向时,动力学指标敏感性最差。将粒子轨迹应用于危岩体损伤识别,以3维向量表示危岩体振动过程中的空间位置,定义了粒子轨迹时域动力学指标算法。通过设计崩塌相似模型试验,人工切割加深后缘裂隙模拟危岩体结构面损伤演化过程,分析了危岩体演化过程中单向时频动力学指标和粒子轨迹时域动力学指标的变化规律;试验发现:与结构面损伤演化有强相关性的单向动力学指标(振幅标准差、峭度、主频)对危岩体损伤敏感性具有方向差异,各指标不同方向敏感性最高相差2.50~23.79倍;粒子轨迹动力学指标对危岩体结构面不同方向演化时的损伤均具有较高敏感性。

Hoek-Brown准则中确定地质强度指标因素的量化

追踪Hoek-Brown准则利用岩块力学参数估算岩体力学参数所采取方法的进展及各种改进措施。指出Hoek创立的最新方法——地质强度指标(GSI)法完全依赖定性描述和个人主观经验的不足,揭示决定地质强度指标的物理因素是岩体结构类型,化学因素是岩石风化状况。引入基于钻孔岩芯不同完整长度的岩体块度指数,以定量地表征岩体结构。分析岩石风化在化学上是原生矿物水解、淋失促使矿物蚀变而导致岩性改变的过程,依此提出表征岩石风化状况的定量指标——岩石绝对风化指数,同时研究推出其计算方法。将岩体块度指数、绝对风化指数在地质强度指标的区间范围概化表上有机结合起来,构成了GSI的定量确定方法。利用该方法估计一公路隧道围岩的变形模量、抗拉、抗压及抗剪强度等力学参数,并计算塌落拱高度。与实测数据对比,其最大误差在14%左右,验证方法的有效性和实用性。

岩体块度指数及其工程意义

根据《水利水电工程地质勘察规范》中对岩体结构的分类标准 ,提出了岩体块度指数的概念 ,将实测岩芯长度按 3～ 10cm、 10～ 30cm、 30～ 5 0cm、 5 0～ 10 0cm和大于 10 0cm等 5级岩芯长度 ,获得率进行加权平均 ,综合表征岩体块度特征及结构类型 .通过大量实测资料证明岩体块度指数在一定程度上能反映岩体的完整性与相应力学性质的变化特点 .比岩石质量指标更能准确地反映岩体块度及其结构特征 ,其工程意义更为显著 .

基于岩体波速的Hoek-Brown准则预测岩体力学参数方法及工程应用

根据建立的由岩体波速估算地质强度指标GSI和岩体扰动参数D的计算公式,引入Hoek-Brown准则,给出岩体波速预测岩体力学参数方法(简称岩体波速法)。以中缅油气管道(国内段)澜沧江跨域工程边坡岩体力学参数研究为例,并以室内岩石物理力学参数和场区声波测试数据为基础,采用岩体波速法和E.Hoek建议法预测场区的岩体力学参数。结果表明:岩体波速法和E.Hoek建议法所得的结果平均相对误差均较小,两者基本等效,数值模拟结果更进一步验证了工程应用效果的合理性。该方法在试验资料不足的情况下,能为岩体力学参数的快速评价提供一条新途径。

岩体完整性指数与弹性模量之间的关系研究

岩体弹性模量值与其完整性指数之间有密切关系,通过其完整性的研究可以间接推断弹性模量值。引入钻孔摄像及相关分析方法获取岩体完整性指数,采用损伤力学原理分析该参数与岩体弹性模量的关系。结果表明,在岩块弹性模量近似不变的情况下,两者之间应具有正线性相关关系,现场试验结果验证了该结论的正确性。另外,对岩体完整性指数和岩石质量指标与岩体弹性模量之间的相关性进行对比结果表明,岩体完整性指数与弹性模量的相关性更好。

基于岩芯分级的Hoek-Brown准则参数研究及应用

地质强度指标(GSI)是Hoek-Brown准则中重要的参数,由于缺乏可具体测量的典型参数,GSI的取值主观性很强。基于工程钻探勘察中对片麻岩岩芯的研究,用野外典型完整岩芯照片和节理面照片代替GSI图里岩体结构的素描图,提出完整岩芯长度指标(RCL)和节理条件(Jc)两参数辅助GSI量化研究;最终建立一个直观的基于岩芯分级的通用GSI图。该GSI图与E.Hoek的方法相比主观误差小,根据该图计算出来的地基极限承载力与地勘单位建议值相比差值很小、精度高,该表可在场地钻探初期岩体力学参数的估算中推广使用。

考虑岩体完整程度的岩石爆破损伤模型及应用

现有爆破损伤本构模型未能考虑岩体完整程度对爆破作用效果的影响。为此,对Yang等提出的爆破损伤模型进行了改进,建立考虑初始损伤的弹塑性爆破损伤本构模型及提出用于评价围岩受爆破影响的损伤判据。该本构模型包含初始损伤变量和岩体完整性指数、声波波速等参数间的关系式,并利用岩体初始完整性指数的变化考虑其完整程度对爆破损伤作用的影响。把该模型引入到LS-DYNA数值软件中,并结合工程实例进行数值模拟,得到爆破损伤云图及相应的爆破影响范围。然后将计算得到的爆破影响范围与现场实测值、基于常用的TCK爆破损伤模型的数值计算结果进行了对比。最后,分析了爆破影响最大半径、最大深度与岩体初始完整性指数间的关系。研究表明,爆破影响最大半径、最大深度均随岩体初始完整性指数的减小而增大,且前者的变化更为显著。基于所提出模型的数值计算结果和现场实测值较为符合;提出的损伤模型可为考虑岩体完整程度对爆破开挖影响的理论研究和工程实践提供参考。

一种基于安全因子判据的坝肩裂隙岩体动力抗滑稳定分析方法

基于某混凝土拱坝,结合现行拱坝设计规范,研究提出了一种基于安全因子判据的坝肩岩体动力抗滑稳定安全度分析方法。该方法综合利用有限元和(刚体)极限平衡两种方法的优点,考虑了凝聚力和摩擦力是不同的抗力,其不确定性具有较大差异性,定义了抗滑稳定安全因子,据此来判别坝肩岩体的抗滑稳定安全度,安全因子随着凝聚力与摩擦力所占权重不同而变化,这种方法既考虑了坝肩岩体与坝体的联动作用,又能够反映拱坝体系真实的工作性态。通过某混凝土高拱坝工程实例,分析了坝肩裂隙岩体的抗震稳定性,结果表明,该方法具有较高的实用价值。

斜坡岩体卸荷分带量化研究

岩体卸荷及卸荷带划分一直是水利水电工程地质研究的重要内容 ,它是影响坝基建基面选择的主要因素之一。作者在分析国内外岩体卸荷分带研究成果基础上 ,提出了采用裂隙开度、裂隙条数、纵波速度、透水性系数等作为岩体卸荷分带的量化指标 ,并采用裂隙开度、裂隙条数、纵波速度对工程区部分平洞岩体进行卸荷带划分 ,其结果与现场定性划分的卸荷带界线基本一致。

澜沧江某电站岩体质量分类中的力学参数选取探讨

本文以澜沧江上游某大型拟建水电站坝区岩体质量分类中的力学参数选取为研究实例，对岩体质量分类的本质含义，尤其是如何选取岩体力学参数以及建立它们之间的关系作了探讨。

运用定量指标研究岩体风化问题的探讨

在分析国内外岩体风化问题研究现状的基础上 ,指出了目前岩体风化量化评价存在的主要问题。结合实际工程资料 ,从影响岩体风化的主要因素出发 ,选择了表征岩体风化特征的代表性定量指标 ,并分析了指标间的相关性。

综采工作面直接顶碎裂岩体冒顶机理及其控制

本文根据直接顶岩体冒顶现场实测和相似模拟实验结果，阐明综采面破碎顶板的碎裂岩体属性与冒顶特征，并建立碎裂岩体冒顶力学模型，深入研究冒顶本质原因和控制原理。在此基础上，本文提出了有效控制碎裂岩体冒顶的指标体系与技术措施，进而在生产实践中成功地控制了碎裂岩体冒顶事故。