Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of Tunnel Shape and Support System on Stability of a Tunnel in a Deep Coal Mine in China

  • Original paper
  • Published:
Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Stability level of tunnels that exist in an underground mine has a great influence on the safety, production and economic performance of the mine. Ensuring of stability for soft-rock tunnels is an important task for deep coal mines located in high in situ stress conditions. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of tunnel shape and support pattern on the deformation, failure zone and stability around a tunnel located in a coal rock mass in China and to select an appropriate tunnel shape and a support pattern to provide a stable stress-deformation condition around the tunnel. Using the available information on stratigraphy, geological structures, in situ stress measurements and geo-mechanical properties of intact rock and discontinuity interfaces, a three-dimensional numerical model was built using the FLAC software to simulate the stress conditions around the tunnel in the coal rock mass. Analyses were conducted for several tunnel shapes and rock support patterns. Results obtained for the distribution of failed zones, and stress and displacement fields around the tunnel were compared to select the best tunnel shape and support pattern to achieve the optimum stability conditions. Also, a comparison is given between the numerical predictions and field deformation monitoring results.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Corkum AG, Martin CD (2007) Modeling a mine-by test at the Mont Terri rock laboratory, Switzerland. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 44(6):846–859

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong T, Xie YY, Zhu HL (2008) Application of yield pressure and bolt-grouting in soft rock roadway. J Min Saf Eng 25(1):41–45

    Google Scholar 

  • FLAC3D (Fast Lagrangian Analysis Continua in 3dimensions) (2002) Version 2.1, Itasca Consulting Group, Minneapolis

  • Han LJ, Chen XW, Li F (1998) Test of roof bolting and grouting in a roadway in soft rock under dynamic pressure. J China Coal Soc 3(3):241–245

    Google Scholar 

  • He MC (2004) Present situation and prospect of rock mechanics in deep mining engineering. In: Proceedings of the 8th Chinese conference on rock mechanics and engineering, Edited by Chinese Society for Rock Mechanics and Engineering, Beijing, Science Press, pp 88–94

  • He MC, Yang J, Qi G (2007) Optimized design and its application of coupling support for soft rock roadway at great depth. J Liaoning Tech Univ 26(1):40–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Kaiser PK, Bawden WF (1995) Support of underground excavations in hard rock. Balkema, Rotterdam, p 215

    Google Scholar 

  • Kang HP, Lu SL (1991) An analysis on the mechanism of roadway floor heave. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 10(4):362–373

    Google Scholar 

  • Kulatilake PHSW, Park J, Um J (2004) Estimation of rock mass strength and deformability in 3-D for a 30 m cube at a depth of 485 m at Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden. Int J Geotech Geol Engg 22(3):313–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li SQ, Feng T, Wang CL (2005) Study on mechanism and control of soft rock roadway floor heave in Gequan coal mine. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 24(8):1450–1455

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu QS, Zhang H (2003) Study on stability and support of rock masses surrounding deep coal-mine roadway. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 22(S1):2195–2220

    Google Scholar 

  • Niu XL, Fu ZL, Gao YF (2007) Grouting reinforcement test of surrounding rocks and stability controlling of roadways. J Min Saf Eng 24(4):439–443

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang LF, Jiang FX, Yu ZX (2009) Similar material simulation experiment on destressing effects of the deep thick coal seam with high burst liability after mining upper and lower protective seams. Chin J Geotech Eng 31(3):442–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Windsor CR, Thompson AG (1993) Rock reinforcement-technology, testing, design and evaluation. In: Hudson JA (ed) Comprehensive rock engineering, principles, practice & projects, vol 4. Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp 451–484

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie HP, Chen ZH, Wang JC (1999) Three-dimensional numerical analysis of deformation and failure during top coal caving. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 36(5):651–658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yasitli NE, Unver B (2005) 3-D numerical modeling of longwall mining with top-coal caving. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 42(2):219–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Xiezhuang Coal Mine for providing funding and good quality laboratory and field data for this research. The help provided by Mr. Luofeng Wang, working in China Molybdenum Co. Ltd, with respect to this research is very much appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China

    Zhengxing Yu & Fuxing Jiang

  2. Geological Engineering Program, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Zhengxing Yu & Pinnaduwa H. S. W. Kulatilake

Authors
  1. Zhengxing Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pinnaduwa H. S. W. Kulatilake
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fuxing Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pinnaduwa H. S. W. Kulatilake.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yu, Z., Kulatilake, P.H.S.W. & Jiang, F. Effect of Tunnel Shape and Support System on Stability of a Tunnel in a Deep Coal Mine in China. Geotech Geol Eng 30, 383–394 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-011-9475-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-011-9475-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation