Stability Assessment and Support Design for Underground Tunnels Located in Complex Geologies and Subjected to Engineering Activities: Case Study
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 19, Issue 5
Abstract
A good understanding of rock mass behavior around underground tunnels is necessary for stability assessment and support design. This paper presents a three-dimensional (3D) numerical analysis to support the aforementioned statement for an underground mine by using the distinct element method. Geological and engineering complexities simulated in the numerical model include large-scale faults and a nonplanar weak interlayer, as well as open and backfilled tunnels. Sequential excavation, backfilling, and delayed supporting were simulated according to the field construction process. Numerical analysis investigated the effect of complex geologies and engineering activities on tunnel stability. Deformations and strength degradation areas around the tunnels are illustrated and analyzed at different locations. Based on the rock mass behavior and the failure conditions of the applied rock supports, useful suggestions are made on the selection of appropriate tunnel support for this underground mine. These suggestions shared similarities and slight differences with the guidelines suggested by an empirical method. The accuracy of the numerical results is verified by comparing with the field deformation data. This study provides a comprehensive procedure for stability assessment and support design for similar underground rock mass projects.
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Acknowledgments
The research was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the Contract 200-2011-39886. The support provided by the mining company through providing geological and geotechnical data, rock core and mine technical tours, and allowing access to the mine to perform field investigations is very much appreciated. The first author is grateful to the Chinese Scholarship Council and the University of Arizona Graduate College for providing scholarships to conduct the research described in this paper first as a visiting research student and then as a Ph.D. student at the University of Arizona.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 19 • Issue 5 • May 2019
Copyright
© 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 8, 2018
Accepted: Oct 26, 2018
Published online: Feb 22, 2019
Published in print: May 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Jul 22, 2019
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