Investigation of block foundations resting on soil–rock and rock–rock media under coupled vibrations

In the present study,the dynamic response of block foundations of different equivalent radius to mass(R_o/m) ratios under coupled vibrations is investigated for various homogeneous and layered systems.The frequency-dependent stiffness and damping of foundation resting on homogeneous soils and rocks are determined using the half-space theory.The dynamic response characteristics of foundation resting on the layered system considering rock-rock combination are evaluated using finite element program with transmitting boundaries.Frequencies versus amplitude responses of block foundation are obtained for both translational and rotational motion.A new methodology is proposed for determination of dynamic response of block foundations resting on soil-rock and weathered rock-rock system in the form of equations and graphs.The variations of dimensionless natural frequency and dimensionless resonant amplitude with shear wave velocity ratio are investigated for different thicknesses of top soil/weathered rock layer.The dynamic behaviors of block foundations are also analyzed for different rock-rock systems by considering sandstone,shale and limestone underlain by basalt.The variations of stiffness,damping and amplitudes of block foundations with frequency are shown in this study for various rock—rock combinations.In the analysis,two resonant peaks are observed at two different frequencies for both translational and rotational motion.It is observed that the dimensionless resonant amplitudes decrease and natural frequencies increase with increase in shear wave velocity ratio.Finally,the parametric study is performed for block foundations with dimensions of 4 m × 3 m × 2 m and 8m×5m×2m by using generalized graphs.The variations of natural frequency and peak displacement amplitude are also studied for different top layer thicknesses and eccentric moments.     

Simulations of explosion-induced damage to underground rock chambers

A numerical approach is presented to study the explosion-induced pressure load on an underground rock chamber wall and its resultant damage to the rock chamber.Numerical simulations are carried out by using a modified version of the commercial software AUTODYN.Three different criteria,i.e.a peak particle velocity (PPV) criterion,an effective strain (ES) criterion,and a damage criterion,are employed to examine the explosion-induced damaged zones of the underground rock chamber.The results show that the charg...     

Applications of rock failure process analysis （RFPA） method

Brittle failure of rocks is a classical rock mechanical problem.Rock failure not only involves initiation and propagation of single crack,but also is associated with initiation,propagation and coalescence of many cracks.The rock failure process analysis(RFPA)tool has been proposed since 1995.The heterogeneity of rocks at a mesoscopic level is considered by assuming that the material properties follow the Weibull distribution.Elastic damage mechanics is used for describing the constitutive law of the meso-le...     

Dynamic compression characteristics of layered rock mass of significant strength changes in adjacent layers

Layered rock mass of significant strength changes for adjacent layers is frequently observed in underground excavation,and dynamic loading is a prevalent scenario generated during excavation.In order to improve the driving efficiency and reduce engineering accidents,dynamic compression characteristics of this kind of rock mass should be understood.The dynamic properties of a layered composite rock mass are investigated through a series of rock tests and numerical simulations.The rock mass is artificially made of various proportions of sand,cement and water to control the distinct strength variations at various composite layers separated by parallel bedding planes.All rock specimens are prefabricated in a specially designed mould and then cut into 50 mm in diameter and 50 mm in height for split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB)dynamic compression testing.The test results reveal that increasing strain rate causes the increases of peak strength,σ_p,and the corresponding failure strain,ε_p,while the dynamic elastic modulus,E_d,remains almost unchanged.Interestingly,under the same strain rates,Ed of the composite rock specimen is found to decline first and then increase as the dip angle of bedding plane increases.The obtained rock failure patterns due to various dip angles lead to failure modes that could be classified into four categories from our dynamic tests.Also,a series of counterpart numerical simulations has been undertaken,showing that dynamic responses are in good agreement with those obtained from the SHPB tests.The numerical analysis enables us to Iook into the dynamic characteristics of the composite rock mass subjected to a broader range of strain rates and dip angles than these being tested.     

Study of failure mechanisms of rock under compressive–shear loading using real-time laser holography

Failure of rock is quite commonly induced by compressive and shear coupling loading. The knowledge of the mechanism and process of deformation and failure of rock under compressive–shear loading condition is an important basis for the study of stability of rock engineering. Based on the principles of laser holographic interferometry, an experimental system with high precision has been established. Through the experiment, the real-time laser holographic interferential fringes under compressive–shear loading are simultaneously observed and recorded. The active fringes can visually display the distribution, mode, moving path and dynamic evolution of deformation and cracking in rock. On the basis of interpretation and quantitative analysis of the active fringes, the whole process of deformation and failure of rock, including time–spatial evolution law of initiating, propagating, growing and closing of cracks in rock, is quantitatively described. From the experimental results, some conclusions on the mechanism and characters of deformation and failure of rock under compressive–shear loading condition are drawn out.     

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.     

Tests and analysis of mechanical behaviours of rock bolt components for China’s coal mine roadways

A series of laboratory tests were performed to study the mechanical behaviours of newly developed high strength rock bolt components, including rebar, thread, plate, and domed washer. The characteristi...     

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.     

Dynamic distinct-element analysis of the 800 m high Åknes rock slope

The seismic stability of the Åknes rock slope, western Norway, was analysed by using the distinct element code UDEC (Universal Distinct Element Code). The slope poses a threat to the region as a sudden failure may cause a destructive tsunami in the fjord. The dynamic input was based on earthquakes with return periods of 100 and 1000 years, and in most models the input shear wave was a harmonic function (sine wave). Models with depths of the sliding surface up to 200 m and with ground water conditions derived from site investigations were analysed, as well as models with ground water conditions assumed from possible future draining of the slope. The analyses indicate that an earthquake with a return period of 1000 years is likely to trigger sliding to great depth in the slope at the present ground water conditions and that the slope will be stable if it is drained. The analyses also indicate that sliding is not likely to be triggered by an earthquake with a return period of 100 years at the present ground water conditions.     

Ultimate bearing capacity at the tip of a pile in rock—part 1: theory

This paper proposes a method for calculating the ultimate bearing capacity at the tip of a pile that is embedded in rock, according to the theory of plasticity. The non-linear failure criterion of Hoek and Brown (Underground excavation in rock, The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London, 1980) is used. The plastified area is analysed as a two-dimensional medium using the characteristic lines method generalised for non-linear failure criteria. The embedment is simulated using the hypothesis proposed by Meyerhof for piles in soils. The results obtained through the calculations are corrected by applying a shape factor in order to take into account the three-dimensional nature of the pile.     

Tunnelling in tectonic melanges—accommodating the impacts of geomechanical complexities and anisotropic rock mass fabrics

Experiences from the construction of two shallow tunnels through a thrust melange are discussed. It is shown that complex geological environments, such as a rectonic melange zone, require continuous geological and geotechnical characterisation, as well as state of the art monitoring, to comprehend the details of the melanges internal block/matrix structure and the effects on the excavation. The acquired data are used to determine the appropriate key parameters that sufficiently describe the expected rock mass behaviour. The paper discusses how the evaluation of three-dimensional displacement data, combined with a continuous geological characterisation, allows the optimisation of a tunnel construction in a tectonic melange.     

Effects of the configuration of a baffle–avalanche wall system on rock avalanches in Tibet Zhangmu: discrete element analysis

Rock avalanches with a high mobility and kinetic energy pose a potential geological risk to surrounding buildings. Baffles and avalanche walls are effective ways to protect these buildings. However, the primary focus of previous studies has been on baffles or avalanche walls alone, and there have been very few studies investigating the effectiveness of a combination of baffles and avalanche walls as a countermeasure against rock avalanches. In addition, previous studies on lab-scale tests and numerical analyses often did not take the actual topography effects into consideration. In this study we adopted a numerical simulation approach based on an actual project in the town of Zhangmu, Tibet, with the aim to investigate the effect of different configurations of a combined baffle–avalanche wall system on impeding the kinetic energy of rock avalanches. A series of numerical analyses with discrete element methods (DEM) were conducted. First, the effect of three different pile groups on the reduction of the effect of the rock avalanche was studied using the numerical modeling study. Secondly, the influence of the size of the retaining wall on the maximum impact force of the rock avalanche was studied. Finally, a DEM modeling study on the energy dissipation capacity of the baffle–avalanche wall system was conducted. The results demonstrate that an arrangement of different baffle–avalanche wall systems will produce different results in terms of dissipating the energy of rock avalanches: when the wall is long enough to block all rock masses, enhancing baffle density will decrease the maximum impact force exerted on the avalanche wall; however, if the wall is just long enough to protect the target region, reducing baffle density will decrease the maximum impact force exerted on the avalanche wall. The results of this study are significant in terms of providing guidelines for the design of baffle–avalanche wall systems for protection against rock avalanches.

     

Correlation of the Hoek–Brown failure criterion for a sparsely jointed rock mass with an extended plane of weakness theory

An appropriate estimate of rock mass strength is necessary for the design of civil and mining structures built in or on rock. Rock mass is an inhomogeneous and anisotropic material with complex behaviour, which contains random planes of discontinuities that tend to reduce its strength. The direct estimation of this strength is practically unfeasible, due to difficulties in sampling and testing. This has led to the development of empirical failure criteria. These, express the strength of the rock mass in terms of properties of the intact rock and the discontinuities. The Hoek–Brown criterion is the most widely accepted one. However, albeit its use for many years, no experimental in situ validation with the actual rock mass strength has been demonstrated. Therefore, the Hoek–Brown criterion is investigated analytically through an extended plane of weakness theory, already validated with experimental evidence on physical specimens. Various intact rock qualities with blocky and very blocky structure are examined. The results indicate deviations in the rock mass strength predicted by the two approaches, especially when the intact rock strength is low.     

Effects of initial particle gradation and rock content on crushing behaviors of weathered phyllite fills——A case of eastern Ankang section of Shiyan—Tianshui highway,China

The objective of this paper is to investigate the effects of initial particle gradation and rock content on the crushing behavior(i.e.grain size before and after crushing) of weathered phyllite fills.Compaction tests were conducted on weathered phyllite fills with rock contents of 35%,45%,55%,65% and 75%(by weight).First,the particle size distributions(PSDs) were observed before and after compaction,and then the particle breakage of weathered phyllite fills was analyzed by fractal dimension.Relative fractal dimension was proposed to evaluate the effects of initial rock content and initial gradation on the particle breakage.It was found that the fractal dimension method can well characterize the crushing behaviors of the weathered phyllite fills.The finer the fills were,the more they were compacted.That is,after the first compaction,the relative fractal dimension of the weathered phyllite fills increased as the rock content increased,reaching the values of 0.013,0.016,0.024,0.037 and 0.08,respectively.After the second compaction,these relative fractal dimension values,dominated by the initial particle gradation,became 0.059,0.072,0.052,0.095 and 0.118,respectively.In conclusion,the weathered phyllite fills with 55% rock content exhibited the least breakage and were most suitable for filling the subgrade.Findings in this paper will provide significant guidance for the construction of weathered phyllite filling subgrade in future projects.     

Real-time rock mass condition prediction with TBM tunneling big data using a novel rock–machine mutual feedback perception method

Real-time perception of rock mass information is of great importance to efficient tunneling and hazard prevention in tunnel boring machines (TBMs). In this study, a TBM–rock mutual feedback perception method based on data mining (DM) is proposed, which takes 10 tunneling parameters related to surrounding rock conditions as input features. For implementation, first, the database of TBM tunneling parameters was established, in which 10,807 tunneling cycles from the Songhua River water conveyance tunnel were accommodated. Then, the spectral clustering (SC) algorithm based on graph theory was introduced to cluster the TBM tunneling data. According to the clustering results and rock mass boreability index, the rock mass conditions were classified into four classes, and the reasonable distribution intervals of the main tunneling parameters corresponding to each class were presented. Meanwhile, based on the deep neural network (DNN), the real-time prediction model regarding different rock conditions was established. Finally, the rationality and adaptability of the proposed method were validated via analyzing the tunneling specific energy, feature importance, and training dataset size. The proposed TBM–rock mutual feedback perception method enables the automatic identification of rock mass conditions and the dynamic adjustment of tunneling parameters during TBM driving. Furthermore, in terms of the prediction performance, the method can predict the rock mass conditions ahead of the tunnel face in real time more accurately than the traditional machine learning prediction methods.     

Experimental study on the physico-mechanical properties of Tamusu mudstone – A potential host rock for high-level radioactive waste in Inner Mongolia of China

Tamusu mudstone, located in Bayin Gobi Basin in Inner Mongolia of China, has been selected as a potential host rock for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal in China. A series of tests has been carried out, including X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests, disintegration tests, permeability tests and triaxial compression tests, to estimate the physico-mechanical properties of Tamusu mudstone in this work. The mineral composition of Tamusu mudstone was analyzed and it was considered as a stable rock due to its low disintegration rate, i.e. approximately 0.11% after several wet/dry cycles. Based on the results of permeability test, it was found that Tamusu mudstone has a low permeability, with the magnitude of about 10^–20 m². The low permeability makes the mudstone well prevent nuclide migration and diffusion, and might be influenced by temperature. The triaxial tests show that Tamusu mudstone is a stiff mudstone with high compressive strength, which means that the excavation disturbed zone would be smaller compared to other types of mudstone due to construction and operation of HLW repositories. Finally, the properties of Tamusu mudstone were compared with those of Opalinus clay, Callovo-Oxfordian (COx) argillite, and Boom clay to further discuss the possibility of using Tamusu mudstone as a potential nuclear waste disposal medium.     

Correction to: Shear properties and pore structure characteristics of soil–rock mixture under freeze–thaw cycles

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02169-7     

Fracture initiation and propagation in intact rock—A review

The initiation and propagation of failure in intact rock are a matter of fundamental importance in rock engineering. At low confining pressures, tensile fracturing initiates in samples at 40%-60% of the uniaxial compressive strength and as loading continues, and these tensile fractures increase in density, ultimately coalescing and leading to strain localization and macro-scale shear failure of the samples. The Griffith theory of brittle failure provides a simplified model and a useful basis for discussion of this process. The Hoek-Brown failure criterion provides an acceptable estimate of the peak strength for shear failure but a cutoff has been added for tensile conditions. However, neither of these criteria adequately explains the progressive coalition of tensile cracks and the final shearing of the specimens at higher confining stresses. Grain-based numerical models, in which the grain size distributions as well as the physical properties of the component grains of the rock are incorporated, have proved to be very useful in studying these more complex fracture processes.