Abstract
With the increase in the pace of development, the demand for tunnels has increased in recent years. Analysing the stability of a tunnel in a fractured rock mass is a very challenging and cumbersome activity. The tunnel stability depends on the strength of the rock, joints bolt strength, in-situ stresses, and their orientation. This paper focuses on constructing tunnels in fractured/jointed rock mass. Three different software namely Rocscience Phase2 (finite element based), FLAC3D (finite volume based) and PFC3D (distinct element based), were used to analyse the performance and stability under static and dynamic loading conditions. The geomaterial properties used for the analysis were taken from data obtained after laboratory testing and based on available literature. The effect of joint orientation and bolt length was analysed using Phase 2 assuming plain strain conditions. The effect of earthquake and performance of fully grouted, energy absorbing and deformation-controlled bolts under seismic loading conditions were compared using FLAC3D. While the 3D distinct element analysis of geometry was performed using PFC3D to evaluate the effect of joints and their orientation. The performance of the different types of bolts was also analysed numerically. The behaviour of bolts can be customised using the ‘fish‘function. The results indicate that analysis must incorporate the fusion of various numerical simulation techniques like finite element-, finite volume- and distinct element-based methods for more reliable results.
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Acknowledgement
The authors acknowledge accessing strong-motion data through the Centre for Engineering Strong Motion Data (CESMD), last visited on 18 Aug 2021. The networks or agencies providing the data used in this report are the California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program, the USGS National Strong Motion Project and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee. The authors also acknowledge the Department of Earthquake engineering, IIT Roorkee for their support to conduct this research.
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Harshal Verma is currently Research Scholar at the Civil Engineering Department of IIT Delhi. His research interest includes slope stability analysis, ground improvement and stability of underground excavations. He has performed the numerical analysis and written the first draft of the manuscript.
Rajesh Rai is currently Associate Professor at the Department of Mining Engineering, IIT BHU, Varanasi. His research interest includes rock mechanics and slope stability. He has revised the drafted manuscript and offered valuable comments.
T. N. Singh is currently Director IIT Patna and Professor at Department of Earth Sciences IIT Bombay. His research interest includes rock mechanics, artificial intelligence, engineering geology and mining rock engineering. He has revised the drafted manuscript, suggested valuable comments, and approved the final manuscript.
Arunava Ray is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Disaster Mitigation and Management, VIT Vellore. His research interest includes slope stability analysis, post failure debris flow and ground improvement in slopes. He has performed the numerical analysis and written the first draft of the manuscript.
Bappaditya Manna is Professor at the Civil Engineering Department of IIT Delhi. His research interest includes designing of deep foundations and vibration isolation system of railway track for high-speed trains and underground metros. He has revised the drafted manuscript and suggested valuable comments.
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Verma, H., Ray, A., Rai, R. et al. Numerical Analysis of a Tunnel Passing through Jointed Rockmass. J Geol Soc India 99, 1683–1694 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-023-2524-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-023-2524-5