Assessing fracturing mechanisms and evolution of excavation damaged zone of tunnels in interlocked rock masses at high stresses using a finitediscrete element approach

Deep underground excavations within hard rocks can result in damage to the surrounding rock mass mostly due to redistribution of stresses.Especially within rock masses with non-persistent joints,the role of the pre-existing joints in the damage evolution around the underground opening is of critical importance as they govern the fracturing mechanisms and influence the brittle responses of these hard rock masses under highly anisotropic in situ stresses.In this study,the main focus is the impact of joint network geometry,joint strength and applied field stresses on the rock mass behaviours and the evolution of excavation induced damage due to the loss of confinement as a tunnel face advances.Analysis of such a phenomenon was conducted using the finite-discrete element method(FDEM).The numerical model is initially calibrated in order to match the behaviour of the fracture-free,massive Lac du Bonnet granite during the excavation of the Underground Research Laboratory(URL)Test Tunnel,Canada.The influence of the pre-existing joints on the rock mass response during excavation is investigated by integrating discrete fracture networks(DFNs)of various characteristics into the numerical models under varying in situ stresses.The numerical results obtained highlight the significance of the pre-existing joints on the reduction of in situ rock mass strength and its capacity for extension with both factors controlling the brittle response of the material.Furthermore,the impact of spatial distribution of natural joints on the stability of an underground excavation is discussed,as well as the potentially minor influence of joint strength on the stress induced damage within joint systems of a non-persistent nature under specific conditions.Additionally,the in situ stress-joint network interaction is examined,revealing the complex fracturing mechanisms that may lead to uncontrolled fracture propagation that compromises the overall stability of an underground excavation.     

Flow analysis of jointed rock masses based on excavation-induced transmissivity change of rough joints

Underground excavation can induce significant deformation of pre-existing joints in rock mass. Due to the sliding and opening of the joints, consequent changes in the flow characteristics of a jointed rock mass would be anticipated. In the present work, a number of numerical techniques are employed and combined in order to evaluate the excavation-induced changes in the flow properties of a jointed rock mass. These are represented by the Micromechanics-Based Continuum (MBC) model analysis (FE excavation analysis in a jointed rock mass), and FracMan/Mafic package (FE flow and transport analysis in the discrete network of joints). A separate computational module connecting these two codes is incorporated to modify initially imposed transmissivities into the excavation-induced ones. The effect of excavation on the flow properties is evaluated by including these excavation-induced transmissivity changes of individual joints in the FE flow analysis. The excavation-induced transmissivities are calculated by the numerical and analytical techniques developed for flow through a single rock joint. The calculation of the excavation-induced transmissivity involves the distributions of shear displacements and normal stresses around the excavation, and implicitly takes into account the effect of surface geometric roughness. A test simulation for a deep underground repository is performed to illustrate the typical results predicted in the proposed approach.     

Numerical investigation on fracturing behaviors of deep-buried opening under dynamic disturbance

Dynamic disturbance is sometimes a non-ignorable factor to induce rock failure in underground excavation, especially for high initial geo-stressed locations. In this study, a mathematical physics model was used to characterize the failure mode of brittle rock under static geo-stress and dynamic loading. An implicit to explicit sequential solution method (IESSM) was performed to examine the dynamic fracturing behavior of an underground opening due to dynamic disturbance. In the numerical simulation, the characteristics of strain energy density (SED) and fracturing zone were investigated under various lateral pressure coefficients. The results indicated that different failures were induced around the opening subjected to dynamic. With lower lateral pressure coefficient, spalling is induced at roof and spandrel with a long period for releasing strain energy. With the increase of the lateral pressure coefficient, violent strain rockbursting is observed in highly stressed locations, with instantaneous release of massive strain energy. Moreover, when the geo-stress of lateral pressure coefficient is high enough, the occurrence location and fracturing zone of rockbursting will not be greatly influenced by the dynamic disturbance, including its amplitude and action direction.     

Study on splitting failure in rock masses by simulation test,site monitoring and energy model

To study the phenomenon of splitting failure in the rock mass adjacent to an underground hydro-power station excavation in a region of high initial stresses, both laboratory simulation tests and site monitoring were undertaken. Concurrent with the excavation design and monitoring, an energy dissipation model was formulated. Back analysis was performed on the monitored site data obtained during excavation and construction. For study in the laboratory, large specimens were designed using rock-like materials. Using a true triaxial state test condition, one side of the specimen was unloaded to model the exposed cavern wall of the excavation. In the experimental model, rock splitting failure was observed. During the excavation (construction site), monitoring instruments were installed in boreholes in the cavern wall. Sliding micrometer, electrical resistivity tomography equipment and a borehole TV camera were employed to monitor the effects of the excavation. Back analysis using the deformation of the surrounding rock mass was carried out. The deformation and the depth of the splitting area in the surrounding rock mass after final excavation were predicted using the energy dissipation model and also by an alternate prediction formula for the splitting depth previously proposed by the authors. The correlation of measurements and predicted results was reasonably good.     

Estimation of Hydraulic Property of Jointed Rock Mass Considering Excavation-induced Change in Permeability of Each Joints

Underground excavation can induce significant deformation of pre-existing joints in rock mass. Due to the sliding and opening of the joints, consequent changes in the flow characteristics of a jointed rock mass would be anticipated. In the present work, the finite element excavation analysis for a jointed rock mass and the finite element flow and transport analysis using the discrete joint network model are employed and combined so as to make it possible to evaluate excavation induced changes in flow properties of a jointed rock mass. A separate computational module connecting these two codes is incorporated to modify initially imposed transmissivities into the excavation induced ones considering the deformation of joints during an excavation. The effect of excavation on the flow properties is evaluated by including these excavation induced transmissivity changes of individual joints. The excavation induced transmissivities are calculated using the analytical approximation solution developed for flow through a single rock joint. The calculation of the excavation induced transmissivity involves the distributions of shear displacements and normal stresses around the excavation, and explicitly takes into account of the effect of surface geometric roughness. A test simulation for a deep underground repository is performed to demonstrate the typical results predicted in the proposed approach.     

Influence of plastic shear strain and confinement-dependent rock dilation on rock failure and displacement near an excavation boundary

Excavation-induced rock failure and displacement near an underground opening boundary is closely associated with rock mass dilation. A better understanding of rock mass dilation around the excavation helps us to predict or anticipate displacements and extent and shape of the failed zone, and subsequently assist design of proper ground support systems. A calibrated cohesion weakening and frictional strengthening (CWFS) model with a constant dilation angle can capture the stress-induced brittle failure shape in hard rocks. However, the use of a constant dilation angle, in either CWFS, Mohr–Coulomb perfectly elasto-plastic, or Mohr–Coulomb strain-softening models, cannot simulate the displacement distribution near the excavation reasonably. In the present study, numerical simulations are performed to study excavation-induced displacement around tunnels located in different rock mass types, i.e., coarse-grained hard rock, medium-grained hard rock, fine–medium-grained soft rock, and fine-grained soft rock, using a mobilized dilation angle model that depends on both confining stress and plastic shear strain. It is illustrated from a few examples that displacement distributions obtained from the dilation angle model are more reasonable when compared with the general trend measured underground.     

Influence of stress path on excavation unloading response

The unloading process of rock mass is critical to the research of excavation disturbances of tunnels in deep mines, and the dynamic effects induced by the release of in situ stress cannot be ignored. In this study, a mathematical physics model was applied to characterise the unloading mechanisms of brittle rock under different stress paths in two dimensions using the universal discrete element code PFC2D for numerical simulations. The excavation relaxation method was employed to control forces applied to the tunnel internal surface to investigate the influence of various in situ stresses, the unloading rate and path on the dynamic effects. Longer unloading time can mitigate the dynamic effects within a certain time range. Nonlinear unloading paths prevail over the linear path in releasing kinetic energy. Furthermore, the exponential path that represents “slow followed by fast” unloading induces the most peripheral displacement, while the cosine path that represents “fast followed by slow” unloading yields the most cracks around the tunnel. The results also indicated that increasing the ratio of horizontal and vertical in situ stresses can exacerbate the dynamic effects. The proposed model agreed well with the theoretical solution and provided a basis for understanding the evolution of the unloading response around the tunnel.     

Dynamic design method for deep hard rock tunnels and its application

Numerous deep underground projects have been designed and constructed in China, which are beyond the current specifications in terms of scale and construction difficulty. The severe failure problems induced by high in situ stress, such as rockburst, spalling, damage of deep surrounding rocks, and timedependent damage, were observed during construction of these projects. To address these problems, the dynamic design method for deep hard rock tunnels is proposed based on the disintegration process of surrounding rocks using associated dynamic control theories and technologies. Seven steps are basically employed:(i) determination of design objective,(ii) characteristics of site, rock mass and project, and identification of constraint conditions,(iii) selection or development of global design strategy,(iv)determination of modeling method and software,(v) preliminary design,(vi) comprehensive integrated method and dynamic feedback analysis, and(vii) final design. This dynamic method was applied to the construction of the headrace tunnels at Jinping II hydropower station. The key technical issues encountered during the construction of deep hard rock tunnels, such as in situ stress distribution along the tunnels, mechanical properties and constitutive model of deep hard rocks, determination of mechanical parameters of surrounding rocks, stability evaluation of surrounding rocks, and optimization design of rock support and lining, have been adequately addressed. The proposed method and its application can provide guidance for deep underground projects characterized with similar geological conditions.     

高地应力硬岩矿山诱导致裂非爆连续开采初探——以开阳磷矿为例

 在阐述深部金属矿硬岩在高地应力作用下储能特征的基础上,分析随着金属矿山开采深度的不断增加,诱导致裂矿岩非爆连续开采方法实现的可能性。实现非爆连续开采硬岩矿山有2个必要条件：一是高效能采掘设备,二是有发育的岩体节理等结构。高地应力矿区岩体开挖卸载后,应力重分布会造成岩体强度的弱化,不稳定块体增加及地下水渗流条件改善,为机械开采提供了有利条件。通过对开阳磷矿深部磷矿体进行的地质调查和对深部磷矿体矿开展的高应力硬岩矿山非爆开采试验,进一步论证高应力诱导致裂硬岩的可行性。通过诱导工程和测试诱导巷道的松动圈范围,证明卸荷作用下岩体的节理、裂隙迅速扩展,诱导巷道的松动圈范围超出爆破松动区范围;松动圈内矿体可实现高效率机械化开采,从而实现硬岩矿山的非爆连续开采;比较独头掘进和开挖诱导巷道下多自由面掘进的效果,诱导致裂条件下开采效率得到显著提升,而且还改善了块度分布。     

Time-dependent drift degradation due to the progressive failure of rock bridges along discontinuities

An important element of time-dependent drift degradation is the progressive failure of intact segments along discontinuities, referred to as rock bridges. A fracture mechanics model is developed to simulate the time-dependent failure of rock bridges along discontinuities. The time dependence of the rock bridge failure process is modeled utilizing subcritical crack growth. The rock bridges give an effective cohesion to the discontinuities, and this cohesion is time-dependent due to the time-dependent failure of the rock bridges. The resulting first-order differential equation for joint cohesion is implemented into the UDEC distinct element numerical code to model time-dependent drift degradation. The model and its implementation into UDEC are validated using several simple examples, including a direct shear test and a rigid block on a slope. Two time-dependent drift degradation examples are then shown, one with and one without thermal loading. These examples used similar geometry, material parameters and in situ stresses as for the proposed underground drifts for the storage of nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain. Both with and without thermal loading, a large zone develops around the excavation where the joint cohesion and tensile strength drop to zero due to the failure of rock bridges. This in turn results in an excavation that is significantly less stable than if time dependence was not included. The results demonstrate the importance of time-dependence on the stability of underground excavations in hard rock.     

Considerations of rock dilation on modeling failure and deformation of hard rocks-a case study of the mine-by test tunnel in Canada

For the compressive stress-induced failure of tunnels at depth, rock fracturing process is often closely associated with the generation of surface parallel fractures in the initial stage, and shear failure is likely to occur in the final process during the formation of shear bands, breakouts or V-shaped notches close to the excavation boundaries. However, the perfectly elastoplastic, strain-softening and elasto-brittle-plastic models cannot reasonably describe the brittle failure of hard rock tunnels under high in-situ stress conditions. These approaches often underestimate the depth of failure and overestimate the lateral extent of failure near the excavation. Based on a practical case of the mine-by test tunnel at an underground research laboratory (URL) in Canada, the influence of rock mass dilation on the depth and extent of failure and deformation is investigated using a calibrated cohesion weakening and frictional strengthening (CWFS) model. It can be found that, when modeling brittle failure of rock masses, the calibrated CWFS model with a constant dilation angle can capture the depth and extent of stress-induced brittle failure in hard rocks at a low confinement if the stress path is correctly represented, as demonstrated by the failure shape observed in the tunnel. However, using a constant dilation angle cannot simulate the nonlinear deformation behavior near the excavation boundary accurately because the dependence of rock mass dilation on confinement and plastic shear strain is not considered. It is illustrated from the numerical simulations that the proposed plastic shear strain and confinement-dependent dilation angle model in combination with the calibrated CWFS model implemented in FLAC can reasonably reveal both rock mass failure and displacement distribution in vicinity of the excavation simultaneously. The simulation results are in good agreement with the field observations and displacement measurement data.     

隧道开挖过程中复杂裂隙围岩的固流耦合分析

隧道通过裂隙岩体的含水区段时,人为扰动了裂隙岩体、地下水等构成的复杂地质系统,是造成各种涌水、突水、突泥事故的重要原因。为了研究复杂地质条件下隧道开挖过程中岩体变形、流体运移相互作用过程,探讨其对隧道涌、突水的影响,在上述复杂过程进行理论分析的基础上,根据深埋隧道围岩裂隙发育规模与工程尺度的关系,建立可以同时考虑不同级别裂隙网络的复杂裂隙岩体水力学模型,采用有限元法对复杂裂隙岩体中开挖隧道的固流耦合过程进行了数值模拟,模拟结果体现了主干裂隙在渗流中的强导水作用和网络状裂隙的贮水功能与渗流滞后效应,开挖过程中复杂裂隙岩体渗流场与应力场的耦合作用显著的增加了隧道围岩屈服区。     

深部多裂隙岩体开挖变形破坏规律模型试验研究

深部资源开发中地下洞室围岩稳定控制必须面对峰后碎裂岩体的变形和破坏问题,目前深部多裂隙岩体开挖强卸荷引起的围岩变形破坏规律尚不清楚,常导致大体积塌方、大变形等重大工程事故。采用大尺度三维模型相似试验系统,分析具有一定倾角的多组裂隙的岩体在高地应力下开挖变形破坏规律。试验结果表明:隧道上下侧围岩主要呈现大变形现象,左右侧围岩呈现分层破裂现象,破裂区随时间增长由内向外逐渐增多,在拱顶、底板大变形的诱导下发生边墙大体积坍塌;隧道围岩由内向外位移值和应力值呈现波动状分布;裂隙倾角与破坏区分布形态有一定相关性。为保障深部工程的安全兴建与运营提供了试验基础。     

深部试验隧洞围岩脆性破坏及数值模拟

 围岩破坏模式和机制的深入认识和把握、围岩破坏程度的合理评价对于深部地下工程围岩稳定性的分析和调控至关重要。锦屏二级水电站深部地下试验隧洞即为针对该问题而建设的国际上埋深最大(2 500m)的地下试验隧洞之一。通过大理岩室内试验结果的分析,深入研究和认识大理岩基本工程力学特性。基于此,分析试验洞开挖后围岩的破坏模式和机制,应用脆性岩体本构模型(RDM)、数值模拟方法和FAI评价方法分析开挖后围岩脆性破坏的范围和深度,并与现场揭露情况进行对比。分析结果较好地体现高应力条件下大理岩的脆性破坏特征,达到对围岩破坏程度合理把握的目的,为引水隧洞开挖期间支护参数的设计和施工处理措施的制定奠定坚实的基础。     

裂隙岩体渗流应力耦合机制研究

隧洞开挖前,岩体中的地下水与围岩应力处于一种相对平衡状态,由于隧洞的开挖,一方面使地下水排泄有了新的通道,加速了水循环,破坏了原有的补给一运移一排泄系统的平衡;另一方面,造成围岩应力重分布,部分结构面由于增压而闭合,部分岩体卸荷松弛或产生剪切滑移,人为破坏了原有的地下水渗流条件,使得隧洞自身成为地下水向外排泄的地下廊道...     

复杂地质条件下大埋深隧洞衬砌与围岩协同作用#br# 物理模型试验研究

围岩-支护协同作用是地下工程支护结构设计的核心问题,关乎着地下工程建设的成败。为揭示深埋隧洞围岩与支护结构协同作用机理,以滇中引水最大埋深约1512m的香炉山隧洞为研究背景工程,首次开展复杂地质条件下深埋隧洞衬砌与围岩协同作用真三维地质力学模型试验,真实再现隧洞开挖与支护的施工全过程。模型试验研究表明：1）不同地质条件下隧洞围岩的应力释放过程不同,硬岩隧洞围岩应力释放速率先慢后快,软岩隧洞应力释放速率先快后慢;2）不同地质条件下隧洞衬砌与围岩接触压力的分布形式不同,硬岩隧洞最大接触压力位于拱肩,软岩隧洞最大接触压力位于拱顶;3）衬砌与围岩协同作用包括两种应力释放机制、3个施工阶段和4种承载状态;4）不同地质条件下隧洞衬砌施作后围岩和衬砌承担的荷载比例不同,硬岩隧洞围岩平均承担约85%的荷载,衬砌约承担15%的荷载,软岩隧洞围岩平均承担约25%的荷载,衬砌承担约75%的荷载。     

隧道开挖引起地表下沉及其影响分析

针对地下隧道开挖引起的地表下沉问题,运用概率统计理论建立了数学模型,并根据BP神经网络理论,通过对BP神经网络算法的改进,采用反分析方法确定岩体移动变形参数。利用所建模型对隧道开挖引起的地表垂直移动(下沉)进行了具体的计算分析,将理论计算值与实测下沉值进行对比,二者十分吻合。对比结果表明,所给出的数学分析模型及参数确定方法符合工程实际,为解决地下隧道开挖引起地表下沉预计分析问题开辟了新的途径。     

岩石应变软化模型在深埋隧洞数值分析中的应用

 随着地下洞室的大量兴建,且埋深越来越深,深埋地下洞室的开挖稳定性问题显得非常重要。针对深埋隧洞围岩特殊的力学特性表现,采用应变软化模型进行数值分析更为合适。首先,对深埋隧洞围岩力学特性和岩石应变软化模型进行简单分析,并且通过数值加载试验分析了Mohr-Coulomb弹塑性模型和应变软化模型计算得到岩石应力–应变关系之间的区别。然后,对简单圆形深埋隧洞进行数值分析,对比分析了Mohr-Coulomb弹塑性模型和应变软化模型计算结果之间的差别,分析主要针对围岩的变形、塑性区和安全系数。最后,采用应变软化模型对两家人水电站深埋地下洞室群进行计算分析,对该地下洞室群的开挖稳定性进行评价。计算结果表明,调压室主室两侧边墙和各洞室连接处的变形较大,较其他地方更危险,需要加强对调压室主室边墙和各洞室连接处的支护强度。     

主应力对洞室围岩失稳破坏行为的影响研究

 针对复杂应力环境三向应力状态下地下洞室围岩破坏条件和破裂机制,采用统计损伤理论和数值模拟方法,建立三维非均匀性地质模型,考虑应力的三维效应,引入强度折减法,一方面在保持模型边界条件的同时实现洞室围岩的逐步破坏,另一方面以此定量评价不同应力场中洞室安全稳定状况,探讨不同侧压力系数和轴向应力条件下洞室围岩破坏模式,探究中间主应力对洞室稳定性的影响以及深部岩体分区破裂化现象产生条件和破裂规律等。结果表明,侧压力系数影响洞室围岩初始破裂形成部位和发展趋势;不同的轴向应力使得洞室围岩破裂区域和范围显著不同,在不同的侧压力系数条件下,轴向应力影响洞室稳定的规律存在差异;不同方向中间主应力对洞室围岩安全稳定状况的影响是不同的;当洞室轴线方向与最大水平应力方向平行时,较大的轴向应力会使洞室围岩产生分区破裂化现象,围岩破坏的区域也是拉应变集中的区域等。这些结果对进一步揭示地下洞室围岩非线性变形破坏行为,评价岩土工程安全稳定性,采取合理的支护措施等均具有重要意义。