Simulation of cracking near a large underground cavern in a discontinuous rock mass using the expanded distinct element method

The rock masses in a construction site of underground cavern are generally not continuous, due to the presence of discontinuities, such as bedding, joints, faults and fractures. The performance of an underground cavern is principally ruled by the mechanical behaviors of the discontinuities in the vicinity of the cavern. A number of experimental and numerical investigations have demonstrated the significant influences of discontinuities on the mechanical, thermal and hydraulic behaviors of discontinuous rock masses, indicating that the deformation mechanism and stability of rock structures in the discontinuous rock masses depend not only on the existing discontinuities but also on the new cracks generated and thereafter keep propagating due mainly to the stress redistribution induced by excavation.In this study, an expanded distinct element method (EDEM) was developed for simulating the crack generation and propagation due to the shear and tension failures in the matrix rock blocks. Using this method, excavation simulations of deep underground caverns have been carried out on the models with differing depths of cavern and differing geometrical distributions of the existing discontinuities. Model experiments by using the base friction test apparatus were conducted to verify the proposed numerical approach. Furthermore, the support effects of rock bolts on controlling the deformations of the rock mass surrounding a cavern and movements of key blocks were evaluated by means of the EDEM approach.     

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.     

高应力硬岩地区岩体结构对地下洞室围岩稳定的控制效应研究

官地水电站地下厂房属典型的硬岩地区深埋大型地下洞室群,其重要特点是同时面临高地应力和结构面发育这2个不利条件,实测最大主应力为25～35 MPa,厂区无大的断层和软弱结构面,但错动带和裂隙十分发育。通过对地下洞室群施工过程中出现的围岩局部失稳破坏现象进行全面的分析整理,对三大洞室的岩体结构特征和围岩变形破坏模式进行系统的分析、比较和总结,从而对影响围岩稳定的两大控制因素——地应力和岩体结构对官地地下厂房洞室群围岩稳定的影响程度和方式进行分析和对比。研究表明,由于三大洞室围岩类别以II类为主,岩体结构以块状～次块状结构为主,围岩具有较高的力学强度和强度应力比,从而具有较强的抵抗应力破坏的能力;岩体结构对地下厂房围岩变形与稳定的控制作用较地应力则更为明显,地下洞室群开挖过程中出现的局部失稳或较大变形多与不利方位的结构面直接相关。三大洞室围岩岩体结构特征总体上的相似性非常明确,反映在三大洞室围岩的变形特征和破坏模式上具有很好的统一性。然而,三大洞室的岩体结构特征也存在一定的差异,导致岩体结构影响围岩稳定的方式和程度有所不同。结构面发育造成的另一个不利影响是为坚硬岩体在高地应力条件下产生卸荷时效变形提供了内部条件。因此,在强度应力比较高的硬岩地区,应充分重视岩体结构及其演化对围岩变形和稳定的控制效应。     

露天矿边坡岩体稳定性各向异性分析方法及工程应用

露天矿边坡岩体通常含有大量IV、V级结构面,影响岩体稳定性。针对这种岩体特性,提出了系统的工程分析方法：首先,应用3GSM非接触测量系统对岩体出露结构面现场测试,统计结构面几何参数概率模型;进一步根据Monte Carlo方法生成裂隙网络,分别利用离散介质渗流方法和几何损伤理论,在分析REV尺寸效应基础上,计算岩体渗透张量和弹性张量,实现岩体参数表征;最后,基于等效连续介质模型,建立各向异性岩体渗流应力耦合模型,采用COMSOL有限元软件分析边坡岩体稳定性。应用该方法对抚顺西露天矿南帮进行了实例分析,计算结果与实际吻合较好。提出的露天矿边坡岩体稳定性分析方法能够考虑节理分布导致的岩体各向异性特征,简单合理,具有良好的工程应用前景。     

裂隙岩体水力离散介质网络的建立

在基于拓扑学建立的几个简单定量规定上，建立了理论严谨、可操作性强的二维裂隙岩体水力离散介质网络生成算法。该算法能适应结构面几何和水力特征的复杂性，其结果给出了水力线元、水力节点以及它们排列组合形成的块体间的相互位置关系。     

裂隙化岩体不连续面密度的分形研究

 不连续面密度是表征岩体内部不连续面分布特征的重要参数之一,但是岩体内不连续面的分布是随机的、不规则的,要想准确获得岩体不连续面密度的真实值是不可能的。基于现场调查的岩体露头不连续面特征,借助计算机模拟技术建立岩体不连续面分布的二维、三维随机裂隙网格模型,从数理统计学的角度计算岩体不连续面密度数值。并基于分形理论计算岩体不连续面分布的二维、三维分布特征,尝试建立岩体不连续面密度与分维数的数学关系。计算结果表明,岩体不连续面密度与分维数具有相同的变化趋势,随着不连续面分维数的增大,不连续面密度增大,不连续面密度与分维数之间存在线性关系。研究结果表明,不连续面分布的体密度和三维分形维数,可以更加综合地反映岩体内部不连续面的分布特征和空间信息及对岩体强度参数的影响,对工程应用具有更好的实际作用。且在此基础上,提出基于不连续面分布的体密度和三维分形维数的岩体等效抗剪强度指标的折减计算。     

The plastic zones and displacements around underground openings in rock masses containing a fault

Faults are the commonly encountered large geological discontinuities in hard rock masses, most severe underground structure instability is found to be closely associated with the faults presence nearby. The parametric study carried out in this paper using numerical method (UDEC) has identified some fault parameters to be really critical for the underground structure stability. These fault parameters are fault dips, fault shear strength and fault locations relative to the underground structure. This numerical investigation revealed that faults affect the stability of underground structure by the tendency of increasing the plastic zones, displacements and causing both asymmetrically distributed in the rock masses adjacent to the excavation. The relationship of the induced plastic zones, maximum displacements varying with these fault parameters was established. The distribution of plastic zone and displacement was graphically presented and the mechanisms such effects were discussed. These results offer a guideline in support design.     

Numerical modeling of discontinuous rock slopes utilizing the 3DDGM (three-dimensional discontinuity geometrical modeling) method

The geometry of discontinuities in a rock mass is one of the most important influences on the behavior and characteristics of that rock mass. The geometry of discontinuities largely determines the stability of the rock mass, as well as appropriate methods for reinforcing and stabilizing that mass. This study introduces the 3DDGM (three-dimensional discontinuity geometrical modeling) method, which is based on the 3DGM (three-dimensional geometrical modeling) algorithm that was developed using the Mathematica software package. The 3DDGM method provides essential input data for the stability analysis of a discontinuous rock mass using block stability assessment techniques or block modeling codes. The 3DDGM method developed in the present work was designed to model discontinuities in rock masses and to provide accurate values for discontinuity parameters (i.e., location, spacing, separation, system, orientation, etc.). This algorithm was developed to increase the accuracy of the discontinuity model based on the Heliot algorithm. The 3DDGM algorithm was tested by applying it to a real case, the sloping discontinuous rock mass at the phase 7 gas flare site in the South Pars Gas Complex in Assalouyeh, Iran, and the algorithm was successful in providing a three-dimensional model of the discontinuities in the rock mass at the site.     

软弱夹层厚度模拟实用方法及其应用

 围岩中分布的软弱夹层对地下洞室围岩稳定性、支护结构安全性有着重要的影响,以软弱夹层的变形、强度等效为出发点,基于接触面单元和软弱夹层影响带概念,提出一种在固定的有限元网格中模拟不同厚度的软弱夹层的实用化模拟方法,并初步验证该方法的合理性、正确性、实用性;利用提出的模拟方法,以奥地利岩土工程有限元分析软件FINAL为平台,系统分析地下洞室分别位于II,III,IV级3种围岩,软弱夹层分别分布在顶部、拱肩、边墙3种不同部位,软弱夹层厚度分别为0.000D,0.005D,0.010D,0.020D,0.200D 5种厚度等条件下,软弱夹层对洞室围岩位移场、应力场、塑性区以及喷层结构受力的影响,着重讨论不同软弱夹层厚度条件下,围岩位移场、应力场、塑性区及喷层内力随夹层厚度的变化差异;总结当前试验条件下,软弱夹层厚度对地下洞室围岩稳定性与支护结构安全性影响的一般规律;研究成果可望为地下洞室的规划、设计、施工,尤其是遭遇软弱夹层等特殊工程条件下的设计、施工、维护等提供一定的参考与指导作用。     

Behavior of noncircular tunnels excavated in stratified rock masses – Case of underground coal mines

The amount of tunnels excavated along stratified/sedimentary rock masses in Quangninh coal mine area,Vietnam, is gradually increasing. Rock mass in Quangninh is characterized by beddings between rock layers. The behavior of stratified rock masses surrounding the tunnels depends on both the intact rock and the beddings between rock layers. The main characteristics of stratified rock masses that need to be considered are their heterogeneity and anisotropy. Depending on the dip angle of rock layers, movements and failure zones developed surrounding the tunnels can be asymmetrical over the vertical axis of tunnel. This asymmetry causes adverse behaviors of the tunnel structures. The objective of this study is to highlight convergences and yielded zones developed in rock masses surrounding noncircular tunnels in Quangninh coal mine area using a finite element method. The presence of bedding joints is explicitly simulated. The numerical results indicated that with the increase in dip angle of bedding joints, the stress asymmetry over the tunnel vertical axis increases. It gradually leads to an asymmetry of the failure zone surrounding the tunnel. An increase of rock mass quality means a decrease of rock mass sensitivity to the discontinuities. In addition,a dip angle of the bedding joints of approximately 45° could be considered as the critical angle at which the rock mass mechanism changes between sliding and bending.     

The Hoek–Brown failure criterion and GSI – 2018 edition

The Hoek–Brown criterion was introduced in 1980 to provide input for the design of underground excavations in rock. The criterion now incorporates both intact rock and discontinuities, such as joints, characterized by the geological strength index (GSI), into a system designed to estimate the mechanical behaviour of typical rock masses encountered in tunnels, slopes and foundations. The strength and deformation properties of intact rock, derived from laboratory tests, are reduced based on the properties of discontinuities in the rock mass. The nonlinear Hoek–Brown criterion for rock masses is widely accepted and has been applied in many projects around the world. While, in general, it has been found to provide satisfactory estimates, there are several questions on the limits of its applicability and on the inaccuracies related to the quality of the input data. This paper introduces relatively few fundamental changes, but it does discuss many of the issues of utilization and presents case histories to demonstrate practical applications of the criterion and the GSI system.     

Behavior of Large Scale Underground Cavern Located in Jointed Rock Masses Evaluated by Using Distinct Element Method

The stability and support effects of large-scale underground caverns located in jointed rock masses are principally ruled by the mechanical behavior of discontinuities. The major deformations of the host rock masses containing underground caverns originate from the normal and shear movements among the walls of discontinuities. Therefore, in the numerical simulations of the deformation behavior of underground structures, how to accurately model the discontinuities becomes a key problem. In this study, a 2-D distinct element code, UDEC, was used to analyze the deformation behavior of an underground cavern of a pumped storage power plant, based on in-situ geological data. The validity of numerical simulation was evaluated by comparing the numerical results with the site measurement data at two cross-sections of the cavern. Some local deformation behavior of the cavern affected by the characteristics of discontinuity distributions was discussed. The influences of cross-sectional shape of the cavern and the orientation of initial ground stress on the performance of cavern were evaluated. The simulation results revealed that the orientation, position and density of discontinuities as well as the cross-sectional shape of a carven influence its deformation behavior and stability significantly.     

不連續面對新觀音隧道擠壓變形行為影響之探討

應用三向度岩體非線性組成模式以及隧道擠壓變形數值模式,分析新觀音隧道北橫坑工區主隧道北向工作面的擠壓現象,有效模擬節理等不連續面引致隧道圍岩變位的不對稱分佈以及依時性變形行為,並釐清不連續面對隧道擠壓變形的影響。     

大理岩硬性结构面剪切蠕变及粗糙度效应研究

 针对锦屏二级水电站地下洞室富含节理的实际情况,利用双轴蠕变仪对大理岩硬性结构面进行剪切蠕变试验。通过对大理岩硬性结构面表面的量测,采用平均粗糙角描述大理岩硬性结构面表面粗糙度情况;分析不同粗糙度情况下岩样剪切位移与时间的变化规律。结果表明,粗糙角大的岩样瞬时变形要小于粗糙角小的岩样。此外,试验在较低的应力水平下,岩样蠕变变形表现为衰减蠕变和稳态蠕变,但当剪应力水平达到某一应力水平时,岩样在极短时间内迅速破坏,未出现加速破坏阶段,因此,利用大理岩剪切蠕变试验数据对标准线性体剪切蠕变模型进行辩识,得出各岩样的剪切蠕变模型参数,通过由模型参数得出的拟合曲线与试验曲线比较知采用标准线性体模型是合理的。最后分析各大理岩岩样的平均粗糙角与剪切蠕变模型参数的变化规律。     

块体理论赤平解析法在龙滩水电站地下厂房洞室群稳定分析中的应用

龙滩水电站地下厂房开挖区域岩体不连续面发育，确定厂房开挖面是否可能产生可动块体并判断其稳定性具有重要实际意义。块体理论是适用于分析断层、节理发育破碎刚性岩体稳定性的有效方法，在对场区工程岩体勘察资料的详细研究基础上，运用块体理论赤平解析法分析龙滩水电站地下厂房洞室群的稳定性，对各开挖面构成可能移动块体的不连续面分布情况进行较系统的评价，得出厂房各部分可动块体分布的直观统计结果，为设计有效的加固方案提供了依据。     

含优势断续节理组的工程岩体等效遍布节理模型强度参数研究

岩体经历的成岩和构造改造等作用通常使其优势节理组发育,使得工程岩体呈现各向异性特征。本文首先说明当大尺度工程岩体含断续节理组时,岩桥对各向异性强度特征的影响突出。进而指出在采用遍布节理模型描述含优势随机节理的岩体各向异性时,模型中结构面参数为贯通节理的参数,不能直接采用现场断续节理的测试结果,需要进行大尺度岩体各向异性参数等效。然后,提出基于连续方法FLAC3D遍布节理的参数变化吻合非连续方法3DEC揭示的宏观岩体各向异性特征的途径,完成由连续方法间接描述非连续节理岩体各向异性力学行为的等效过程。研究表明,在无法应用解析法估算含随机断续节理岩体宏观参数时,数值试验成为了更有效的途径。采用遍布节理模型描述断续节理岩体各向异性强度特征时,节理强度参数值受断续节理与岩桥的综合影响,等效节理参数高于节理真实参数。此外,在进行等效连续过程中,为保证等效贯通节理导致的岩体强度凹陷与断续节理作用的方向一致,遍布节理模型中节理走向取值应与断续节理走向呈( － )/2夹角。     

基于裂隙网络模拟技术的结构面分布分维数计算

介绍了分形基本概念及工程岩体分形特性，结合裂隙网络模拟技术，分析了计算结构面分布分维数的方法，并给出了工程应用实例。讨论了计算裂隙分维数有效测度范围问题，对裂隙间距、迹长、交角和岩体RQD等影响因素与分维数的关系进行了初步分析，结果表明：间距对分维数影响最大，迹长和交角则相应次之。岩体裂隙分布分维数较RQD更能全面反映岩体的结构特征，用于对工程岩体进行质量评价是可行的，但对于测度尺寸和分维数与岩体工程性质关系等问题有待深入研究。     

岩石节理剪切渗流耦合试验及分析

节理岩体内渗流的发生主要是通过断裂节理网络产生,节理面的几何特性和受力特征决定和影响着节理裂隙的渗透性质,从而极大地影响着水下隧道及地下硐室中的渗流。应用自行研制开发的试验设备(岩石节理单一剪切-渗流试验机(SMT-E-4010)),在恒定法向荷载和恒定法向刚度的边界条件下,对不同接触状态下的岩石断裂节理试件分别进行一系列节理的剪切渗流耦合试验,研究剪切过程中力学性质、水力学性质的变化情况;同时,结合立方准则对试验数据进行分析讨论。试验结果表明:节理力学性质,水力开度和透过率在剪切过程中呈现出两阶段的变化性质。     

不连续岩体温度场的复合单元模型初步研究

 基于复合单元法原理和不稳定温度场的隐式解法,提出针对不连续岩体温度场的复合单元法。该算法的特点是每个复合单元可以含有任意的不连续面,如断层或节理,且当结构中含有需在计算中离散处理的不连续面时,网格的生成不受不连续面的数量、位置和方向的影响。初步研究针对含1条节理的复合单元模型展开,假定岩块中无对流和辐射影响,推导岩块子单元和不连续面的热传导计算式,得到不连续岩体温度场的复合单元算法基本方程组,然后将该算法整合到传统有限元分析程序中。分别采用传统有限单元和复合单元法模拟热水流过单条裂隙时岩体温度场的变化过程,二者的计算结果非常接近,表明不连续岩体温度场的复合单元算法是合理和有效的,但其配套的温度场等值线后处理程序有待进一步完善。该算法的提出为深部岩体的多场耦合研究提供又一思路。     

Two-scale modeling of jointed rock masses

Numerical modeling of the mechanical behavior of jointed rock masses is a difficult task as the discontinuities not only require special modeling consideration, but also require different treatments depending upon the scale of problem involved. A framework is proposed here that is based upon a meshed based partition of unity method, also known as the numerical manifold method. Specifically, the discontinuities posed by joints or faults are divided into two groups. The primary discontinuity set is the one with a wider spacing and dominates the kinematics of the system. It is modeled explicitly as physical discontinuities. The secondary discontinuity set, characterized by high density and small spacing, is modeled as an equivalent continuum by incorporating joint compliance and strength characteristics. Following the presentation of the formulation, two examples are also provided at the end to highlight the ease with which the proposed approach may be used in mechanical analysis of a complex jointed rock system.