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Experimental and numerical investigations on cross rock pillar method for super large cross-sectional tunnel excavation

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Abstract

To solve stability issues of super large cross-sectional tunnel with greater than 20 m across and an overall area greater than 314 m2 during excavation, a new technique named cross rock pillar method (CRPM) is proposed. A physical model test was firstly conducted to investigate the deformation and failure mechanisms of a tunnel using CRPM. In this physical model, a rock-like material simulating the V-class surrounding rock was made and a geomechanical model test bench was developed to simulate and observe the progressive failure process of the tunnel. Furthermore, fiber sensing technology was used to continuously monitor the horizontal strain in different cross sections. Test results show that the cross rock pillars play a significant role in preventing deformation of the surrounding rock during the tunnel excavation. A numerical model was then established to verify the results obtained by the physical model test. The deformation and stability mechanisms of the surrounding rock are determined using CRPM in super large cross-sectional tunnels. Finally, the proposed CRPM was successfully implemented in the Hongqihegou rail station, and the monitoring results show that the surrounding rock was adequately controlled throughout the excavation process.

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Data availability

Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

b 1 :

Radius of the circular tunnel

B :

Calculated width of the slip surface

C :

Cohesion

C E :

Elastic modulus similarity ratio

C f :

Internal friction angle similarity ratio

C L :

Geometric similarity ratio

Cr:

Unit weight similarity ratio

C ε :

Strain similarity ratio

C σ :

Compressive strength similarity ratio

C μ :

Poisson’s ratio similarity ratio

C φ :

Friction coefficient similarity ratio

h 0 :

Carven height

H :

Buried depth

L1 :

Strength envelope before support

L2 :

Strength envelope after support

L AB :

Length of initial fiber

U A :

Displacement of the point A

U B :

Displacement of the point B

∆U :

Relative displacement of interval Z1 and Z2; when Z1 is fixed, ∆U is the displacement of Z2

ε AB :

Strain value of the fiber at the monitoring point in interval A and B.

ε(Z):

Strain value of the fiber at the monitoring point in interval Z1 and Z2.

σ n0(σ n1,σ n2):

Normal stress

σ t0(σ t1,σ t2):

Tangential stress

φ :

Internal friction angle

CD:

Center diaphragm

CRD:

Cross diaphragm

CRPM:

Cross rock pillar method

EMI:

Electromagnetic interference

FFT:

Fast Fourier transform

FMCW:

Frequency modulated continuous wave

LO:

Local oscillator

OFDR:

Optical frequency domain reflectometry

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the editor and reviewer for their helpful comments and constructive suggestions in improving this paper.

Funding

This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 51974289 and 42177140. The anonymous reviewers are also deeply acknowledged for reviewing this article and giving their valuable comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, Hubei, China

    Haomin Sang, Bin Liu & Yongshui Kang

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Haomin Sang

  3. Key Laboratory of Safety for Geotechnical and Structural Engineering of Hubei Province, School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, Hubei, China

    Quansheng Liu & Yucong Pan

  4. Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia

    Annan Zhou

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  1. Haomin Sang
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  2. Bin Liu
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  4. Quansheng Liu
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Correspondence to Yongshui Kang.

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Sang, H., Liu, B., Kang, Y. et al. Experimental and numerical investigations on cross rock pillar method for super large cross-sectional tunnel excavation. Bull Eng Geol Environ 82, 274 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03316-y

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