Abstract
Based on the basic principle of the finite element method, the implicit composite element method for numerical simulation of seepage in underground engineering is proposed. In the simulation, the faults and drainage holes are set implicitly in the model elements without adding additional elements. Elements containing fault or drainage-hole data are termed composite elements. Then, their information data in model could be obtained. By determining the osmotic transmission matrix of the composite elements, the permeability coefficient matrix is then obtained. The method was applied to the numerical simulation of the seepage field around the underground powerhouse of the Ganhe Pumping Station in Yunnan, China, using a compiled three-dimensional finite element method calculation program. The rock mass around the site includes two faults. The seepage field in the rock mass was analyzed at different stages of the engineering project. The results show that, before the excavation of the underground caverns, the rock mass seepage is affected by the faults and the groundwater permeated down along the tangential fault plane. After the excavation of the caverns during the operation period, the groundwater is basically drained away and the underground caverns are mostly above the groundwater level. Thus, the calculation results of the engineering example verify the implicit composite method for the simulation of faults and drainage holes. This method can well meet the calculation demands of practical engineering.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahmed A, McLoughlin S, Johnston H. 3D Analysis of Seepage under Hydraulic Structures with Intermediate Filters. J Hydraul Eng, 2015, 141: 060140–19
Saada Z, Maghous S, Garnier D. Stability analysis of rock slopes subjected to seepage forces using the modified Hoek-Brown criterion. Int J Rock Mech Min, 2012; 55: 45–54
Shin Y J, Kim B M, Shin J H, et al. The ground reaction curve of underwater tunnels considering seepage forces. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech, 2010; 25: 315–324
Zhong D H, Zhang X X, Ao X F, et al. Study on coupled 3D seepage and stress fields of the complex channel project. Sci China Tech Sci, 2013; 56: 1906–1914
Bian K, Xiao M, Chen J T. Study on coupled seepage and stress fields in the concrete lining of the underground pipe with high water pressure. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech, 2009; 24: 287–295
Lee S W, Jung J W, Nam S W, et al. The influence of seepage forces on ground reaction curve of circular opening. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech, 2007; 22: 28–38
Chen Y F, Zhou C B, Hu R, et al. Key issues on seepage flow analysis in large scale hydropower projects. Chinese J Geotech Eng, 2010; 32: 1448–1454
Ji Y J, Liu J J, Cheng L S. Numerical simulation of tunnel excavation considering fluid solid coupling. Rock Soil Mech, 2011; 32: 1229–1233
Meier S, Bauer J F, Philipp S L. Fault zone characteristics, fracture systems and permeability implications of Middle Triassic Muschelkalk in Southwest Germany. J Struct Geol, 2015; 70: 170–189
Ju Y, Zhang Q G, Yang Y M, et al. An experimental investigation on the mechanism of fluid flow through single rough fracture of rock. Sci China Tech Sci, 2013; 56: 2070–2080
Baghbanan A, Jing L. Hydraulic properties of fractured rock masses with correlated fracture length and aperture. Int J Rock Mech Min, 2007; 44: 704–719
Zheng H K, Chen Y F, Hong J M, et al. Elaborate simulation of seepage control effects on surrounding rocks of underground powerhouse. J Tianjin Univ Sc Tech, 2014; 47: 823–828
Li L Z, Xiao M. Analysis of the effects of advanced consolidation grouting on water diversion tunnels in fractured zones. Mod Tun Tech, 2015; 52: 97–104
Du C B, Ren Q W. A new three-dimensional nonlinear interface element for modeling joints. J Southeast Univ (Natural Science Edition), 2001; 31: 92–96
Liu J B, Wang W H, Dasgupta G. Pushover analysis of underground structures: Method and application. Sci China Tech Sci, 2014; 57: 423–437
Wang W M, Liu Y L, Ding J X, et al. Superposed element method for simulating of drainage holes in seepage analysis. Rock Soil Mech, 2011; 32: 674–679
Cui H D, Zhu Y M, Wu S Y. Numerical simulation for densely- distributed drainage holes in seepage Held with free surface. Chinese J Geotech Eng, 2008; 30: 440–445
Wang J, Jiang H X. Simulating drainage holes with line sink drainage element. Chinese J Geotech Eng, 2008; 30: 677–684
Hu J, Chen S H. Air element method for modeling drainage holes in seepage analysis. Rock Soil Mech, 2003; 24: 281–283+287
Zhu B F. The finite Element Method Theory and Applications. Beijing: China Water Power Press, 2009. 250
Luo Y, Wang T H, Liu X J. Study on seepage character of loess vertical joint. Disaster Adv, 2013; 6: 154–160
Gong X N. Reflections on numerical analysis of geotechnical engineering. Rock Soil Mech, 2011; 32: 321–325
Chen S H, Feng X M. Composite element model for rock mass seepage flow. J Hydrodyn, 2006; 18: 219–224
Xiao M, Ye C, Fu Z H. Three-dimensional numerical simulation and analysis of excavation and support in underground tunnel. Rock Soil Mech, 2007; 28: 2501–2505
Zhang Y T, Xiao M, Chen J T. A new methodology for block identification and its application in a large scale underground cavern complex. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech, 2010; 25: 168–180
Ni S H, Xiao M. Study on numerical simulation of drainage hole of seepage field in underground engineering with implicit composite element method. Rock Soil Mech, 2008; 29: 1659–1664
Xu G S, Feng X M, Chen S H. Composite element method for simulation of discontinuous surface and drainage hole in seepage analysis. Chinese J Rock Mech Eng, 2006; 25: 3714–3718
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Li, L., Xiao, M. Study on implicit composite element method for seepage analysis in underground engineering. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 58, 1617–1626 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-015-5888-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-015-5888-y