Improving Rockbolt Design in Tunnels Using Topology Optimization
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 16, Issue 1
Abstract
Finding an optimum reinforcement layout for underground excavation can result in a safer and more economical design, and is therefore highly desirable. Some works in the literature have applied topology optimization in tunnel reinforcement design in which reinforced rock is modeled as homogenized isotropic material. Optimization results, therefore, do not clearly show reinforcement distributions, leading to difficulties in explaining the final outcomes. To overcome this deficiency, a more sophisticated modeling technique in which reinforcements are explicitly modeled as truss elements embedded in rock mass media is used. An optimization algorithm extending the solid isotropic material with penalization method is introduced to seek for an optimal bolt layout. To obtain the stiffest structure with a given amount of reinforced material, external work along the opening is selected as the objective function with a constraint on the volume of reinforcement. The presented technique does not depend on material models used for rock and reinforcements and can be applied to any material model. Nonlinear material behavior of rock and reinforcement is considered in this work. Through solving some typical examples, the proposed approach is proved to enhance the conventional reinforcement design and provide clear and practical reinforcement layouts.
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Acknowledgments
This is a part of the Ph.D. work of the first author sponsored by CESRC, USQ, and FHES. This financial support is gratefully acknowledged. The authors are grateful to the reviewers for their helpful comments.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 16 • Issue 1 • February 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 20, 2014
Accepted: Jan 8, 2015
Published online: May 8, 2015
Discussion open until: Oct 8, 2015
Published in print: Feb 1, 2016
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