Prediction Model for Performance Evaluation of Tunnel Excavation in Blocky Rock Mass
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18, Issue 1
Abstract
The response of tunnel excavations in blocky rock mass is dominated by the presence of discontinuities. However, many of the studies reported in the literature consider these geological features in a simplistic manner by adopting the equivalent continuum approach, thereby neglecting the structurally controlled mechanism of response. To overcome the aforementioned limitation, the present study adopts the Voronoi tessellation scheme in a discrete-element-based framework to simulate the blocky rock mass. An attempt was made to frame the prediction model for convergence strains of the tunnel by considering the uncertainties of joint parameters and in situ stress ratio. The prediction model was framed following the identification of important parameters affecting the strains using the robust central composite design. Finally, the concept of critical strain was used to demonstrate the applicability of the framed model through the probabilistic assessment of various performance levels of tunnel excavation.
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Acknowledgments
The first author acknowledges the financial support provided by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. The second author acknowledges Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad for providing funding through the Faculty Research Scheme [Project FRS(105)/2016-17/CE]. The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of the Department of Earthquake Engineering, IIT Roorkee, for granting permission to utilize the computing facility to carry out the present study.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18 • Issue 1 • January 2018
Copyright
© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 3, 2016
Accepted: Jun 30, 2017
Published online: Oct 27, 2017
Published in print: Jan 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Mar 27, 2018
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