Visualization and early warning analysis of damage degree of surrounding rock mass in underground powerhouse

Based on the underground powerhouse of Shuangjiangkou hydropower station,Octree theory is adopted to define the indices of the microseismic(MS)spatial aggregation degree and the deviation values of MS count and energy.The relationship between the MS multiple parameters and surrounding rock mass instability is established from three aspects:time,space,and strength.Supplemented by the center frequency of the signal evolution characteristics,A fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model and the evolution trend of the MS event center frequency are constructed to quantitatively describe the early warning state of the surrounding rock mass instability.The results show that the multilevel tree structure and voxels generated based on the Octree theory fit relatively well with the set of MS points in threedimensional space.The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model based on MS spatial aggregation and MS count and energy deviation values enables three-dimensional visualization of the potential damage area and damage extent of the surrounding rock mass.The warning time and potential damage zone quantified are highly consistent with the characteristics of MS precursors,with wide recognition and field investigation results,which fully validate the rationality and applicability of the proposed method.These findings can provide references for the early warning of surrounding rock mass instability in similar underground engineering.

Stability analysis of surrounding rock mass in underground powerhouse considering damage effect of microfractures

A high-precision microseismic(MS)monitoring system was built to monitor surrounding rock microfractures in the underground powerhouse on the left bank of Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station.The surrounding rock damage area with spatiotemporal clustering of MS activities was studied for qualitative analysis of the damage mechanism of surrounding rock microfractures,based on the source parameters of MS events.The surrounding rock microfracture scale characterized by the source radius of MS events was considered to establish the constitutive relation.MS information was imported into the model for numerical analysis using fast Lagrangian analysis of continuain 3 dimensions(FLAC^(3D)).The results indicated that the numerical simulation results considering MS damage can better reflect the actual situation of the field.The surrounding rock microfractures mainly showed mixed failure characteristics.Shear failures appeared in localized areas while the fracture scale of sections from K0e33 m to K0e15 m on the vault was large.The deformation increment caused by microfracture damage in the shallow surrounding rock of the top arch accounted for 10%e13%,and the stress decrement in the surrounding rock caused by microfracture damage accounted for about 10%.

Comparative analysis of deformation and failure mechanisms of underground powerhouses on the left and right banks of Baihetan hydropower station

The stability of the surrounding rocks of large underground powerhouses is always emphasized during the construction process,especially in large-scale underground projects under construction,such as the Baihetan hydropower station in China.According to field investigations,numerical simulations and monitoring data analysis,we present a comparative analysis of the deformation and failure characteristics of the surrounding rocks of underground powerhouses on the left and right banks of the Baihetan hydropower station.The failure characteristics and deformation magnitude of the underground powerhouses on the left and right banks are quite different.Under the disadvantageous condition where the maximum principal stress intersects the axis of the powerhouse at a large angle,the left bank underground powerhouse shows prominent stress-controlled failure characteristics such as spalling,slack collapse and concrete cracking.Although the maximum principal stress is in the favorable condition which intersects the right bank powerhouse at a small angle,the relatively high intermediate principal stress with an angle subvertical to the right bank powerhouse plays an essential role in its deformation and failure,indicating that the influence of high intermediate principal stress cannot be ignored.In addition,structural plane-controlled failure and large deformation are also more evident on the right bank due to the extensive distribution of weak structural planes and complex surrounding rock properties.

Key rock mechanical problems of underground powerhouse in Shuibuya hydropower station

The complicated rock structures and the stability of surrounding rocks of the underground powerhouse were the key rock mechanical problems in Shuibuya hydropower station.In order to overcome the related rock mechanical problems encountered during its construction,a comprehensive research was carried out for the underground powerhouse in Shuibuya hydropower station based on a detailed geological survey.It covers the investigations on the initial in-situ stress distribution features,rock mechanical properties,engineering rock mass classifications by different methods,numerical modeling for stability and support analysis,proper measures for rock excavation and support.The results show that the rock excavations of the underground powerhouse under the given geological conditions can be controlled effectively.Some measures,suggested by the designers,are proved to be rational and effective.These measures mainly consist of:(1) the soft rock replacements by concrete in local area below the crane beam,(2) the shotcrete and reinforcement by rock bolts and anchor cables in surrounding rocks,and (3) 2 m concrete placement on the rock bench between adjacent tailrace tubes.The engineering practice shows that the treated surrounding rocks have a good overall stability.The deformation behaviors observed by safety equipments are within the designing limits.The research conclusions on the related rock mechanical problems,prior to the underground powerhouse excavations,are reliable.

Engineering rock mechanics practices in the underground powerhouse at JinpingⅠhydropower station

Based on the analyses of data obtained from the underground powerhouse at Jinping I hydropower station, a comprehensive review of engineering rock mechanics practice in the underground powerhouse is first conducted. The distribution of strata, lithology, and initial geo-stress, the excavation process and corresponding rock mass support measures, the deformation and failure characteristics of the surrounding rock mass, the stress characteristics of anchorage structures in the cavern complex, and numerical simulations of surrounding rock mass stability and anchor support performance are presented. The results indicate that the underground powerhouse of Jinping I hydropower station is characterized by high to extremely high geo-stresses during rock excavation. Excessive surrounding rock mass deformation and high stress of anchorage structures, surrounding rock mass unloading damage, and local cracking failure of surrounding rock masses, etc., are mainly caused by rock mass excavation. Deformations of surrounding rock masses and stresses in anchorage structures here are larger than those found elsewhere： 20% of extensometers in the main powerhouse record more than 50 mm with the maximum at around 250 mm observed in the downstream sidewall of the transformer hall. There are about 25% of the anchor bolts having recorded stresses of more than 200 MPa. Jinping I hydropower plant is the first to have an underground powerhouse construction conducted in host rocks under extremely high geo-stress conditions, with the ratio of rock mass strength to geo-stress of less than 2.0. The results can provide a reference to underground powerhouse construction in similar geological conditions.

Coordinated deformation control technologies for the high sidewall—bottom transfixion zone of large underground hydro-powerhouses

It is imperative to understand the spatial and temporal coordination deformation mechanism and develop targeted deformation control technologies for high sidewall—bottom transfixion(HSBT)zones to guarantee the stability of rock surrounding underground hydro-powerhouses under complex geological conditions.In this study,the spatial and temporal coordinated deformation control of HSBT zones was addressed from the aspects of the deformation mechanism,failure characteristics,and control requirements,and some coordinated deformation control technologies were proposed.On this basis,a case study was conducted on the deformation control of the HSBT zone of the underground powerhouse at the Wudongde hydropower station,China.The results showed that the relationship between excavation and support,and the mismatch of deformation and support of the surrounding rock mass in the HSBT zone of underground caverns with a large span and high in-situ stress can be appropriately handled.The solution requires proper excavation and construction procedures,fine blasting control,composite and timely support,and real-time monitoring and dynamic feedback.The technologies proposed in this study will ensure the safe,high-quality,and orderly construction of the Baihetan and Wudongde underground caverns,and can be applied to other similar projects.

Technology improvements and management innovations in construction of Xiluodu hydropower station on Jinsha River

Developer and owner:China Three Gorges Corporation(CTG)Engineering management:China Three Gorges Projects Development Corporation(CTGPC)Designer:Chengdu Engineering Corporation Co.,Ltd.,Power