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Geochemical, mineralogical, and microstructural characteristics of fault rocks and their impact on TBM jamming: a case study

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Abstract

Faults can represent adverse geological conditions that frequently cause the jamming of tunnel boring machines (TBMs). In this study, we present a case study of TBM jamming at mileage 106 + 402.8 in the TBM 2 bid section of the Central Yellow River Diversion in China. Firstly, we identify possible jamming hazards. In addition, a fault between dolomitic limestone and granite was revealed by the geological investigation. Secondly, by comprehensively analyzing the geochemical, mineralogical, and microstructural characteristics of the host and fault rocks, we identify the compressional torsional fault FT2 and the nearby fault rocks. Finally, we explore how the geological characteristics of the fault rocks affect the likelihood of TBM jamming. Our results indicate that geochemical effects and long-term tectonic stresses caused major changes in the structure and composition of the migmatitic granite host rock; the fault rocks exhibit mylonitization and cataclastic breccia fabrics. Hydrothermal fluid alteration transformed the biotite and plagioclase into chlorite. In addition to the precipitation of carbon-rich fluids, which resulted in the formation of graphite, the weaknesses of these fault rocks were compounded by the presence of clay minerals and their obvious cataclastic structures. The comprehensive effect of the geological characteristics of fault rock, geological structure, ground stress, and TBM excavation unloading leads to collapse and large deformation of the weak rock in the fault zone as the main geological reason for the TBM jamming; the corresponding engineering treatment measures and recommendations are proposed. This case aims to provide reference and learning for avoiding the re-occurrence of similar jamming accidents.

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taken from the FT2 fault

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the editors and reviewers for their time and effort in reviewing and improving this paper.

Funding

We would like to acknowledge the financial support from the Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52022053), the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant No. ZR 201910270116), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK20200227), and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2019M662361).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, Shandong, China

    Peng Lin, Tengfei Yu & Zhenhao Xu

  2. School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, Shandong, China

    Tengfei Yu

  3. Suzhou Research Institute, Shandong University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China

    Peng Lin

  4. School of Qilu Transportation, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, Shandong, China

    Peng Lin, Zhenhao Xu, Ruiqi Shao & Wenyang Wang

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  1. Peng Lin
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  2. Tengfei Yu
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Correspondence to Zhenhao Xu.

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Lin, P., Yu, T., Xu, Z. et al. Geochemical, mineralogical, and microstructural characteristics of fault rocks and their impact on TBM jamming: a case study. Bull Eng Geol Environ 81, 64 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02548-0

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