Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An integrated study on stability assessment of the Seyrantepe underground openings (Gaziantep, Turkey)

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In view of the geotechnical engineering and engineering geology, the Seyrantepe underground openings have important characteristics. Although these underground openings have thin roof thickness, large parallel span, thin pillars and low rock mass strength, they are standing up for years. Due to the rock masses being complicated and inhomogeneous material and containing discontinuities, it is commonly difficult to obtain the required mechanical parameters for the analyses. In this paper, a combined analysis, including failure-based back analysis, Hoek–Brown and Mohr–Coulomb failure criteria, was executed to determine the cohesion, frictional angle and tensile strength of the rock mass. Integrated numerical, analytical and empirical analyses were performed to assess the stability of the underground openings, which were excavated from limestone. The effects of the adjacent openings on the stability and failure zones were also investigated. The analysis shows that considerably important parameter for the roof stability is the tensile strength of the rock mass. While the lowest tensile strength is obtained from Hoek–Brown criterion, Mohr–Coulomb criterion gives the highest tensile strength. Numerical analysis shows that adjacent openings affect the stability and failure process. According to the bending theory, the limit of the roof span ranges between 11 and 22.5 m depending on roof thicknesses of 9 and 25 m, respectively. Although these underground openings are standing for a long time, results of the analyses show that some protective measures against instability are necessary.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alejano LR, Taboada J, García-Bastante F, Rodriguez P (2008) Multi-approach back-analysis of a roof bed collapse in a mining room excavated in stratified rock. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 45:899–913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2007.10.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aydan Ö, Tokashiki N (2011) A comparative study on the applicability of analytical stability assessment methods with numerical methods for shallow natural underground openings. In: The 13th International Conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics, Melbourne, Australia, pp. 964–969

  • Aydan Ö, Geniş M, Tokashiki N (2012) Some consideration on yield (failure) criteria in rock mechanics. In: The 46th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, American Rock Mechanics Association, 24–27 June 2012, Chicago, IL

  • Aydan Ö, Ulusay R, Tokashiki N (2014) A new rock mass quality rating system: RockMass Quality Rating (RMQR) and its application to the estimation of geomechanical characteristics of rock masses. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47(4):1255–1276. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0462-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton NR, Lien R, Lunde J (1974) Engineering classification of rock masses for the design of tunnel support. Rock Mech 6:189–239. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01239496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1989) Engineering rock mass classifications. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Canakci H (2007) Collapse of caves at shallow depth in Gaziantep city center, Turkey: a case study. Environ Geol 53:915–922. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0802-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coskun B, Coskun B (2000) The Dead Sea Fault and related subsurface structures, Gaziantep Basin, southeast Turkey. Geol Mag 137:175–192. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016756800003770

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deere DU, Miller DW (1967) The rock quality designation (RQD) index in practice, classification systems for engineering purposes. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, ASTM STP, pp 91–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghorbani M, Sharifzadeh M (2009) Long term stability assessment of Siah Bisheh Powerhouse cavern based on displacement back analysis method. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 24:574–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2009.02.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grimstad E, Barton N (1993) Updating of the Q-system for NMT. In: Proceedings on International Symposium on Sprayed Concrete, Fagernes, Norway. Norwegian Concrete Association, Oslo, 22–26 October 1993, pp 46–66

  • Hatzor YH, Wainshtein I, Mazor DB (2010) Stability of shallow karstic caverns in block rock masses. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 47:1289–1303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2010.09.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E (1994) Strength of rock and rock masses. ISRM News Journal 2(2):4–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E (2007) Practical Rock Engineering. https://www.rocscience.com/assets/resources/learning/hoek/Practical-Rock-Engineering-Full-Text.pdf. Accessed 5 Aug 2021

  • Hoek E, Brown ET (2019) The Hoek–Brown failure criterion and GSI – 2018 edition. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 11:445–463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2018.08.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Kaiser PK, Bawden WF (1995) Support of underground excavations in hard rock. Balkema, Rotterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Marinos PG (2000) Predicting tunnel squeezing problems in weak heterogeneous rock masses. Tunnels and Tunnelling International 132(11):45–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Carranza-Torres CT, Corkum B (2002) Hoek-Brown failure criterion-2002 edition. International Proceedings of the 5th North American Rock Mechanics Symposium, Toronto, pp 267–273

    Google Scholar 

  • ISRM (2007) The complete ISRM suggested methods for rock characterization, testing and monitoring: 1974–2006. In: Ulusay R, Hudson JA (eds), suggested methods prepared by the ISRM commission on testing methods. Compilation arranged by the ISRM Turkish National Group. Kozan Ofset, Ankara, p 628

  • Kaiser PK, Mackay C, Gale AD (1986) Evaluation of rock classification at B.C. Rail Tumbler Ridge Tunnels. Int J Rock Mech Rock Eng 19:205–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lauffer H (1958) Gebirgsklassifizierung Für Den Stollenbau Geol Bauwesen 24:46–51

    Google Scholar 

  • MTA (1997) Geological map of the Gaziantep-K24 quadrangle. General Directorate of Mineral Research And Exploration, Ankara

    Google Scholar 

  • PLAXIS 2D v8.2, (2002) Finite element program, developed for the analysis of deformation, stability and groundwater flow in geotechnical engineering. Delft, Netherlands

  • Rocscience (2002) RocLab (v.1.0) Rock mass strength analysis using the generalized Hoek-Brown failure criterion

  • Sakurai S, Akutagawa S, Takeuchi K, Shinji M, Shimizu N (2003) Back analysis for tunnel engineering as a modern observational method. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 18:185–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0886-7798(03)00026-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sonmez H, Ulusay R (2007) Engineering properties of rock masses, 2nd edn. vol 60. TMMOB Chamber of Geological Engineers of Turkey, Ankara, p. 292 (in Turkish)

  • Suchowerska AM, Merifield RS, Carter JP, Clausen J (2012) Prediction of underground cavity roof collapse using the Hoek-Brown failure criterion. Comput Geotech 44:93–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2012.03.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terlemez I, Şentürk K, Ateş Ş, Sümengen M, Oral A (1992) Geology of between Gaziantep region and Pazarcık-Sakçagöz-Kilis Elbeyli-Oğuzeli. MTA, Report: 9526, Ankara

    Google Scholar 

  • Terlemez I, Şentürk K, Sümengen M, Oral A (1997) Turkey geological maps No: 45. Geological Studies Department, MTA, Ankara (in Turkish)

  • Tolun N, Pamir HN (1975) Explanatory text of the geological map of Turkey-Hatay. MTA, Ankara

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulusay R, Aydan Ö, Geniş M, Tano H (2013) Stability assessment of Avanos Underground Congress Centre (Cappadocia, Turkey) in soft tuffs through an integrated scheme of rock engineering methods. Int J Rock Mech Rock Eng 46:1303–1321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-012-0363-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waltam AC, Park HD (2002) Roads over lava tubes in Cheju Island, South Korea. Eng Geol 66:53–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-7952(02)00030-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wickham GE, Tiedemann HR, Skinner EH (1972) Support determination based on geologic predictions. In: North American rapid excavation tunneling conference, Chicago, pp 43–64

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank to the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality for the kind help and support provided.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Bartın University, Bartın, 74100, Turkey

    Serdar Allı

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Gaziantep, 27010, Turkey

    Hanifi Çanakçı

  3. Department of Mining Engineering, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, 67100, Turkey

    Melih Geniş

Authors
  1. Serdar Allı
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hanifi Çanakçı
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Melih Geniş
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Serdar Allı.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Communicated by Zeynal Abiddin Erguler.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Allı, S., Çanakçı, H. & Geniş, M. An integrated study on stability assessment of the Seyrantepe underground openings (Gaziantep, Turkey). Arab J Geosci 14, 2182 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08544-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08544-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation