Mechanism of high-preload support based on the NPR anchor cable in layered soft rock tunnels

The control of large deformation problems in layered soft rock tunnels needs to solve urgently.The roof problem is particularly severe among the deformation issues in tunnels.This study first analyzes the asymmetric deformation modes in layered soft rock tunnels with large deformations.Subsequently,we construct a mechanical model under ideal conditions for controlling the roof of layered soft rock tunnels through high preload with the support of NPR anchor cables.The prominent roles of long and short NPR anchor cables in the support system are also analyzed.The results indicate the significance of high preload in controlling the roof of layered soft rock tunnels.The short NPR anchor cables effectively improve the integrity of the stratified soft rock layers,while the long NPR anchor cables effectively mobilize the self-bearing capacity of deep-stable rock layers.Finally,the high-preload support method with NPR anchor cables is validated to have a good effect on controlling large deformations in layered soft rock tunnels through field monitoring data.

Development of a new type of foam concrete and its application on stability analysis of large-span soft rock tunnel

The long-term stability of large-span soft rock tunnel is influenced greatly by the creep effect of surrounding rock.The development of a new type of foam concrete which has the property of high compressibility and low ductility was introduced.And it was made as filling material of reserved deformation layer between the first lining and the second lining used in large-span soft rock tunnel.The effect of the new type of foam concrete was simulated as filling material of reserved deformation layer using numerical simulation.Through the comparison with the common large-span soft rock tunnel,the vault settlement and surrounding convergence are reduced by about 61% and 45%,respectively,after creep of 100 a.And in the second lining,the plastic zone reduces apparently and the maximum equivalent plastic strain decreases relatively.So,it can be found that the application of the new type of foam concrete as the filling material of reserved deformation layer can relieve the excessive force in second lining induced by rock creep,reduce its deformation and improve the stability of tunnel.

Compensation excavation method control for large deformation disaster of mountain soft rock tunnel

In recent years,the mine tunneling method and the new Austrian tunneling method have been considered the main theories of tunneling approaches in China.It is difficult for the traditional technique to overcome the large deformation problems imposed by complex geological conditions of mountain soft rock tunneling.Hence,the compensation excavation method has been proposed to solve this issue under the consideration that all damage in tunneling originates from the excavation.It uses supportive strategies to counteract the excavation effects successfully.This paper provides an overview of the fundamental ideas of the compensation excavation method,methodologies,and field applications.The scientific validity and feasibility of the compensation excavation method were investigated through the practical engineering study of the Muzhailing and Changning 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.

In Situ Experiments on Supporting Load Effect of Large-span Deep Tunnels in Hard Rock

A section of the Nanliang high speed railway tunnel on Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan high-speed passenger railway line in China was instrumented and studied for its mechanical properties and performances. The cross section for the tunnel was300 m2and is classified as the largest cross section for railway tunnels in China. Through in situ experimental studies, mechanistic properties of the tunnel were identified, including the surrounding rock pressure, convergences along tunnel perimeter and safety of primary support and lining structure.Based on the field measured data, the surrounding rock pressure demand for large-span deep tunnel in hard rock is recommended as double peak type in the vertical direction and fold line type was recommended for horizontal pressure. The results suggested that Promojiyfakonov's theory was most close to the monitored value. Specific recommendations were also generated for the use of bolts in tunnel structures.Numerical simulation was used to evaluate the safety of the tunnel and it confirmed that the current design can satisfy the requirement of the current code.

Time-dependent squeezing deformation mechanism of tunnels in layered soft-rock stratum under high geo-stress

Large squeezing deformation of layered soft rock tunnel under high geo-stress has a significant time-dependent deformation behavior.In this paper,we studied the deformation mechanism during the construction period of deep-buried softrock tunnel by means of a combination of field observations and a numerical method.First,a new classification criterion for large deformations based on the power exponent variation law between the deformation and the strength-stress ratio is proposed.Then,the initial damage tensor reflecting the bedding plane(joint)distribution and an equivalent damage evolution equation derived from the viscoplastic strain are introduced based on the geometric research method,i.e.,a new rheological damage model(RDL model)of layered soft rock is established consisting of elastic,viscous,viscoelastic,viscoplastic and plastic elements.A field test was conducted on the Maoxian tunnel in Sichuan province,southwestern China,which is in broken phyllite(layered soft rock)under high geo-stress.The tunnel has experienced large deformation due to serious squeezing pressure,thus we adopted double primary support method to overcome the supporting structure failure problems.The rheological parameters of phyllite in the Maoxian tunnel were recognized by using SA-PSO optimization,and the RDL model does a good job in describing the time-dependent deformation behavior of a layered soft-rock tunnel under high geo-stress.Thus,the RDL model was used to investigate the supporting effect and bearing mechanism of the double primary support method.Compared with the single primary support method,the surrounding rock pressure,secondary lining force,surrounding rock deformation,and the depth of the damage to the rock mass was reduced by 40%-60%after the double primary support method was used.

NEW THEORY IN TUNNEL STABLILITY CONTROL OF SOFT ROCK──MECHANICS OF SOFT ROCK ENGINEERING

Tunnel stability control is a world-wide difficult problem. For the sake of solving it,the new theory of soft rock engineering mechanics has been estabilished. Some key points,such as the definition and classification of soft rock, mechanical deformation mechanism of a soft rock tunnel, the critical support technique of soft rock tunnel and the new theory of the soft rock tunnel stability control are proposed in this paper.

Effect of surcharge loading on horseshoe-shaped tunnels excavated in saturated soft rocks

Underground facilities are usually constructed under existing buildings,or buildings are constructed over existing underground structures.It is then imperative to account for the current overburden loads and future surface loadings in the design of tunnels.In addition,tunnels are often constructed beneath the groundwater level,such as cross-river tunnels.Therefore,it is also important to consider the water pressure impact on the tunnel lining behaviour.Tunnels excavated by a conventional tunnelling method are considered in this paper.The hyperstatic reaction method(HRM)is adopted in this study to investigate the effect of surcharge loading on a horseshoe-shaped tunnel behaviour excavated in saturated soft rocks.The results obtained from the HRM and numerical modelling are in good agreement.Parametric studies were then performed to show the effects of the water pressure,surcharge loading value and its width,and groundwater level on the behaviour of the horseshoe-shaped tunnel lining,in terms of internal forces and displacements.It displays that the bending moment,normal forces and radial displacements are more sensitive to the water pressure,surcharge loading and groundwater level.

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~

Optimization of construction scheme and supporting technology for HJS soft rock tunnel

For a soft rock tunnel under high stress in jointed and swell soft rock （HJS）, two construction schemes pilot-tunneling enlarging excavation and step-by-step excavation were optimized using FLAC20, and the deformation effects of the two construction schemes were verified by field tests. Based on engineer- ing geological investigation and mechanical analysis of large deformations, the complex deformation mechanisms of stress expansion and structural deformation of the soft rock tunnel were confirmed, and support countermeasures from the complex deformation mechanism converted to a single type were proposed, and the support parameters were optimized by field tests. These technologies were proved by engineering practice, which produced significant technical and economic benefits.

Research on sustenance of soft rock tunnel in Hongmiao Mine of Pingzhuang Mine Area

The return airway tunnel of bank 6 is an important tunnel for air return and auxiliary transportation.While under construction,the tunnel was seriously deformed, and the bottom was heavily squeezed.When completed,the bottom was smoothed out several times and a lot of maintenance were done.But about half year later,the tunnel collapsed.To counter the problems mentioned above,we systematically expounded our ideas and designed for solving the problem of the sustenance of the return airway tunnel of section 6.

Construction Technology of Large-deformation High Geostress Soft Rock Tunnel

In the process of tunnel construction,if large-deformation occurs in high geostress soft rock,it will likely cause geological disasters.This situation will not only seriously affect the smooth progress of tunnel construction,but also cause serious safety threat to the construction personnel.Therefore,with the continuous growth in the number and scale of tunnel construction in recent years,the construction technology for high geostress soft rock with large-deformation has begun to receive more and more attention from the society.Based on this,this paper takes an actual project as an example to analyze the specific application of the technology in order to improve the construction effect and avoid the damage caused by the large-deformation of the high geostress soft rock.

Study on the Deformation Mechanism of a Soft Rock Tunnel

The large deformation of soft rock tunnel is one of the key problems to be overcome in the tunnel construction stage.In the present study,the deformation mechanism of a representative tunnel and some related countermeasures are investigated using field tests and engineering geological analysis.Owing to the scarce performances of methods based on other criteria such as small pipe spacing,anchor bolt length and steel frame spacing,a new support scheme is implemented and optimized.Results show that shear failure and bedding sliding are produced under high horizontal stress conditions.The low strength of the surrounding rock results in the uneven convergence of both sides of the tunnel.With the aforementioned new support scheme,however,most of such problems can be mitigated leading to good stability properties and ensuing economic advantages.

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.

Study on the new shell bolting and shotcrete support and its application in soft rock tunnels

A new kind of tunnel support was put forward on the basis of the anchor spraysupport principle. The mechanics of the new three-dimensional steel bar shotcrete liningsupport was studied and the structure's internal forces were analyzed. The model experiment was done relying on the industrial test. The conclusion of numerical calculationsproved that the ANSYS program is reasonable and creditable. It was compared to otherkinds of support that are commonly used in soft rock tunnels. The technique and economiccontrasts of the typical tunnel with support three-dimensional steel bar were completed.

Experimental study on performance of spring damping support structure system for large deformation tunnel in soft rock

According to the convergence confinement theory,it is an effective measure to control the large deformation of high ground stress in fractured soft rock tunnels by using yielding support.The yielding support can be classified as either radial or circumferential yielding support.Circumferential yielding support is achieved by transforming radial displacement into circumferential tangential closure without compromising the support capacity of the primary lining support structure.Based on this,and inspired by the design principle of dampers,a yielding support structure system with spring damping elements as its core was developed,based on the connection characteristics of steel arches in highway tunnel,which can provide increasing support resistance in the yielding deformation section.Then the mechanical properties of spring damping elements were obtained through indoor axial pressure and flexural tests.In addition,according to these results with numerical calculations,the yielding support structure system with embedded spring damping elements can reduce the internal force of the support structure by approximately 10%and increase the area of the plastic zone of the surrounding rock by 11.23%,which can fully utilize the self-bearing capacity of surrounding rock and verify the effectiveness of circumferential yielding support.Finally,the spring damping support structure system was designed with reference to the construction process of the tunnel excavated by drilling and blasting method,and the transformation of the spring damping element to spring damping support structure was achieved.Based on field test results,surrounding ground pressure for the yielding support optimization scheme was reduced by 40%and more evenly distributed,resulting in the successful application and a reduction in the construction cost of large deformation tunnels in soft rock.

Influence of confining stress on fracture characteristics and cutting efficiency of TBM cutters conducted on soft and hard rock

Combined with numerical simulation, the influence of confining stress on cutting process, fracture conditions and cutting efficiencies of soft and hard rock has been conducted on the triaxial testing machine(TRW-3000) designed and manufactured in Central South University(China). Results are obtained by performing analysis on the fracture scopes of cement and granite plates,the characteristics of cutting force in cutting processes and the cutting efficiency. Firstly, the increase of latitude fracture scope and the decrease of longitude fracture scope are both more notable in the tests conducted on cement plates subjected to the increasing confining stresses; secondly, the increase tendency of peak penetration forces obtained from tests conducted on granite plates is more obvious, however, the increase tendencies of average penetration forces achieved from cement and granite plates are close to each other; thirdly, the cutting efficiency could be improved by increasing the spacing between cutters when the confining stress which acts on soft and hard rock increases in a certain degree, and the cutting efficiency of soft rock is more sensitive to the varying confining stresses.

Soft rocks in Argentina

Soft rocks are a still fairly unexplored chapter in rock mechanics. Within this category are the clastic sedimentary rocks and pyroclastic volcanic rocks, of low to moderate lithification （consolidation, cemen- tation, new formed minerals）, chemical sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks formed by minerals witk Mohs hardness less than 3.5, such as limestone, gypsum, halite, sylvite, between the first and phyllites, graphitic schist, chloritic shale, talc, etc., among the litter. They also include any type Of rock that suffered alteration processes （hydrothermal or weathering）. In Argentina the study of low-strength rocks has not received much attention despite having extensive outcrops in the Andes and great impact in the design criteria. Correlation between geomechanical properties （UCS, deformability） to physical index （porosity, density, etc.） has shown promising results to be better studied. There are many studies and engineering projects in Argentina in soft rock geological environments, some cited in the text （Chihuido dam, N. Kirchner dam, J. Cepernic Dam, etc.） and others such as International Tunnel in the Province of Mendoza （Corredor Bioceanico）, which will require the valuable contribution from rock mechanics. The lack of consistency between some of the physical and mechanical parameters explored from studies in the country may be due to an insufficient amount of information and/or non-standardization of criteria for testing materials. It is understood that more and better academic and professional efforts in improv- ing techniques will result in benefits to the better understanding of the geomechanics of weak rocks.

极高地应力软岩隧道非对称变形机理及支护优化研究

针对极大断面公路隧道施工中出现的非对称大变形问题,考虑高地应力第一主应力与隧道轴线关系、层状软岩夹层与互层状态、掌子面软岩空间不对称、地下水等因素,基于对工程地质条件、围岩与支护结构失效及破坏特征的分析,结合岩样物理力学特性室内试验研究及地应力实测情况,探究了非对称大变形形成机理并提出针对性的支护结果优化方案。结果表明:高地应力层状软岩隧道围岩不对称变形是在岩层倾角α、最大水平主应力与隧道轴线夹角β和岩层夹角γ、围岩岩性和地下水综合作用下的大变形,围岩不对称部位由以上几种因素共同决定;当主应力σ1与隧道轴线既不垂直也不平行时,会产生挤压性偏压构造水平地应力,使隧道横断面侧向受力不对称,发生偏压性非对称大变形;通过改变锚杆的布设方式、提高超前注浆小导管的长度和刚度、喷射临时封闭、在防水板与喷射砼间增加高密度橡塑海绵板缓冲层等措施,可以有效的减少变形量,防止围岩因开挖扰动而松动和坍塌。

高地应力软岩隧道长期稳定性分析

研究目的:高地应力软岩具有明显的流变特性,流变过程中岩体参数随时间发生变化。本文结合梁王山隧道的设计施工方案,采用Cvisc模型对其施工过程及运营期间的围岩和支护的受力和变形情况进行分析,查明了隧道在施工阶段和长期运营阶段的应力、应变和变形特性以及隧道支护结构的内力与变形随时间发展规律。研究结论:(1)在软岩隧道工程施工中,施工时应对隧道初支拱脚处适当加固,控制拱脚变形;(2)不仅要保证施工期的安全,更需要关注隧道在后期运营过程中的长期稳定性;(3)需根据全寿命周期内的围岩流变稳定状态设计支护结构的刚度,从而确保隧道结构长期稳定;(4)本研究成果可为高地应力软岩隧道施工安全和长期稳定性研究提供参考。