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Understanding the failure mechanism of a large underground cavern in steeply dipping layered rock mass using an enhanced ubiquitous-joint model

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Abstract

To understand the mechanical behavior and failure mechanism of the surrounding layered rock masses during the excavation of underground caverns for a hydropower station, an enhanced equivalent continuum model based on the ubiquitous-joint concept is developed and compiled as a plugin DLL file in FLAC3D. This model is then applied to analyze two engineering geological issues arisen during the excavations of a large underground powerhouse. Both cases are the typical responses controlled primarily by the internal structure of layered rock mass. The first case is mainly concerned with the continuous increase in the displacement of the upstream sidewall after removal of an auxiliary tunnel crown. Numerical simulation reveals the mixed shear-tensile fractures developed along bedding planes. The preserved crown thickness can affect the maximum displacement of sidewall. Failure region will progressively deepen into the interior if no effective reinforcements are adopted. The second case exhibits as the gradual cracking or slabbing of the shotcrete at downstream roof. Stress concentration is the main cause of shotcrete cracking as shown by numerical simulation. The degree of stress concentration can be influenced largely by the angle between rock strata and cavern axis. This degree also varies with the initial stress level and with excavation process, which is confirmed by field monitoring data. The validity and capability of the newly developed model are thus verified by the actual engineering issues.

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Acknowledgements

This study is financially supported by the Wudongde Project Construction Department, China Three Gorges Projects Development Co., Ltd and by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51709043 and 51309219).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Safe Mining of Deep Metal Mines, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, Liaoning, China

    Yang-Yi Zhou

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

    Ding-Ping Xu

  3. Wudongde Project Construction Department, China Three Gorges Projects Development Co., Ltd., Kunming, 541004, China

    Ke Liu

  4. School of Resources and Environment Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China

    Dong-Fang Chen

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  1. Yang-Yi Zhou
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  2. Ding-Ping Xu
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Correspondence to Ding-Ping Xu.

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Zhou, YY., Xu, DP., Liu, K. et al. Understanding the failure mechanism of a large underground cavern in steeply dipping layered rock mass using an enhanced ubiquitous-joint model. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 4621–4638 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02213-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02213-6

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