Expansion of Water Inrush Channel by Water Erosion and Seepage Force
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 21, Issue 7
Abstract
Water and mud inrush is a common geological disaster in the construction of karst tunnels. The loss of soil particles in filling-type karst disaster-causing structures is the key factor leading to the expansion of the water inrush channel. Considering the effects of water erosion, seepage force, and soil cohesive force, three-dimensional force analysis for soil particles on the side wall of the water inrush channel is conducted. The critical condition of incipient particle motion is established. The incipient flow velocity for sliding instability and rolling instability of the particle is deduced, respectively. The criterion of incipient particle motion is proposed. The expansion mechanism of the water inrush channel is revealed. The influencing factors of the incipient flow velocity are analyzed and the rules of particle loss are discussed. Finally, through the analysis of particle–fluid coupling and calculation of discrete element method (DEM)–computational fluid dynamics (CFD) coupling, numerical simulation for the incipient particle motion and channel expansion is implemented, and the proposed mechanism of incipient particle motion is verified. The results show that: (1) the incipient flow velocity of rolling instability is obviously greater than that of sliding instability; (2) the incipient flow velocity first decreases and then increases with the increasing particle radius and dip angle of the inclined plane; (3) the incipient flow velocity decreases linearly with the increase of hydraulic gradient and porosity; and (4) in the expansion of the water inrush channel, the incipient flow velocity of most particles is the critical flow velocity of rolling instability, while the incipient flow velocity of a few particles is the critical flow velocity of sliding instability.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
This work was done under the guidance of the first author’s supervisor, Professor Jian Zhao at Monash University, during the joint Ph.D. period of the first author. The special acknowledgments should be given to professors Jian Zhao and Qianbing Zhang at Monash University for their help and suggestions in conducting and revising this paper.
The authors acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 42007234 and 41977222), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2019M652384), and the Open Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. Z019009).
References
Armanini, A., and C. Gregoretti. 2005. “Incipient sediment motion at high slopes in uniform flow condition.” Water Resour. Res. 41 (12): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1029/2005WR004001.
Bai, H. B., D. Ma, and Z. Q. Chen. 2013. “Mechanical behavior of groundwater seepage in karst collapse pillars.” Eng. Geol. 164: 101–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.07.003.
Bong, C. H. J., T. L. Lau, and A. A. Ghani. 2013. “Verification of equations for incipient motion studies for a rigid rectangular channel.” Water Sci. Technol. 67 (2): 395–403. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.580.
Bong, C. H. J., T. L. Lau, A. A. Ghani, and N. W. Chan. 2016. “Sediment deposit thickness and its effect on critical velocity for incipient motion.” Water Sci. Technol. 74 (8): 1876–1884. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2016.376.
Catalano, E., B. Chareyre, and E. Barthélémy. 2014. “Pore-scale modeling of fluid-particles interaction and emerging poromechanical effects.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech. 38 (1): 51–71. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.2198.
Feng, M. M., J. Y. Wu, D. Ma, X. Y. Ni, B. Y. Yu, and Z. Q. Chen. 2017. “Experimental investigation on the seepage property of saturated broken red sandstone of continuous gradation.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 77 (3): 1167–1178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1046-z.
Fleshman, M. S., and J. D. Rice. 2014. “Laboratory modeling of the mechanisms of piping erosion initiation.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 140 (6): 04014017. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001106.
Fujisawa, K., A. Murakami, and S.-I. Nishimura. 2010. “Numerical analysis of the erosion and the transport of fine particles within soils leading to the piping phenomenon.” Soils Found. 50 (4): 471–482. https://doi.org/10.3208/sandf.50.471.
Han, Q. W., and M. M. He. 1999. The incipient law and incipient velocity of sediment. Beijing: Science Press.
Home, L. 2016. “Hard rock TBM tunneling in challenging ground: Developments and lessons learned from the field.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 57: 27–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2016.01.008.
Jia, K., H. Cao, and X. H. Li. 2013. “Research on mechanism and computational method of piping channel expansion of double-layer dike foundation.” Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng. 32 (11): 2368–2376.
Kothyari, U. C., and R. K. Jain. 2008. “Influence of cohesion on the incipient motion condition of sediment mixtures.” Water Resour. Res. 44 (4): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007WR006326.
Lee, C.-H., and T.-T. Wang. 2016. “Invert anomalies in operational rock tunnels: Appearance, causes, and countermeasures.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil 30 (3): 04015048. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0000726.
Lee, I.-M., S.-W. Nam, and J.-H. Ahn. 2003. “Effect of seepage forces on tunnel face stability.” Can. Geotech. J. 40 (2): 342–350. https://doi.org/10.1139/t02-120.
Li, S. C., and J. Wu. 2019. “A multi-factor comprehensive risk assessment method of karst tunnel and its application.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 78: 1761–1776. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1214-1.
Li, X. Z., P. X. Zhang, Z. C. He, Z. Huang, M. L. Cheng, and L. Guo. 2017. “Identification of geological structure which induced heavy water and mud inrush in tunnel excavation: A case study on Lingjiao tunnel.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 69: 203–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2017.06.014.
Liu, J. Q., W. Z. Chen, W. Nie, J. Q. Yuan, and J. L. Dong. 2019. “Experimental research on the mass transfer and flow properties of water inrush in completely weathered granite under different particle size distributions.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 52 (7): 2141–2153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-018-1719-3.
Liu, J. Q., W. Z. Chen, D. S. Yang, J. Q. Yuan, X. F. Li, and Q. Y. Zhang. 2018. “Nonlinear seepage–erosion coupled water inrush model for completely weathered granite.” Mar. Georesour. Geotechnol. 36 (4): 484–493. https://doi.org/10.1080/1064119X.2017.1340373.
Liu, J. Q., D. S. Yang, W. Z. Chen, J. Q. Yuan, C. J. Li, and X. Y. Qi. 2017. “Research on particle starting velocity in the expansion of water inrush channel in completely weathered granite.” Rock Soil Mech. 38 (4): 1179–1187. https://doi.org/10.16285/j.rsm.2017.04.032.
Lominé, F., L. Scholtes, L. Sibille, and P. Poullain. 2013. “Modeling of fluid–solid interaction in granular media with coupled lattice Boltzmann/discrete element methods: Application to piping erosion.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech. 37 (6): 577–596. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.1109.
Ma, D., H. B. Bai, X. X. Miao, H. Pu, B. Y. Jiang, and Z. Q. Chen. 2016. “Compaction and seepage properties of crushed limestone particle mixture: An experimental investigation for Ordovician karst collapse pillar groundwater inrush.” Environ. Earth Sci. 75 (11): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4799-3.
Ma, D., M. Rezania, H.-S. Yu, and H.-B. Bai. 2017. “Variations of hydraulic properties of granular sandstones during water inrush: Effect of small particle migration.” Eng. Geol. 217: 61–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.12.006.
Marsh, N. A., A. W. Western, and R. B. Grayson. 2004. “Comparison of methods for predicting incipient motion for sand beds.” J. Hydraul. Eng. 130 (7): 616–621. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2004)130:7(616).
Ni, X. D., Y. Wang, and Y. G. Lu. 2010. “Study of meso-mechanism of seepage failure in tunnel excavation process.” Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng. 29 (S2): 4194–4201.
Prancevic, J. P., M. P. Lamb, and B. M. Fuller. 2014. “Incipient sediment motion across the river to debris-flow transition.” Geology 42 (3): 191–194. https://doi.org/10.1130/G34927.1.
Richards, K. S., and K. R. Reddy. 2012. “Experimental investigation of initiation of backward erosion piping in soils.” Géotechnique 62 (10): 933–942. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.11.P.058.
Shafipour, R., and A. Soroush. 2008. “Fluid coupled-DEM modelling of undrained behavior of granular media.” Comput. Geotech. 35 (5): 673–685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2007.12.003.
Shi, W. H., T. H. Yang, H. L. Liu, and B. Yang. 2018. “Numerical modeling of non-Darcy flow behavior of groundwater outburst through fault using the Forchheimer equation.” J. Hydrol. Eng. 23 (2): 04017062. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0001617.
Shimizu, H., S. Murata, and T. Ishida. 2011. “The distinct element analysis for hydraulic fracturing in hard rock considering fluid viscosity and particle size distribution.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 48 (5): 712–727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2011.04.013.
Song, K.-I., G.-C. Cho, and S.-B. Chang. 2012. “Identification, remediation, and analysis of karst sinkholes in the longest railroad tunnel in South Korea.” Eng. Geol. 135–136: 92–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2012.02.018.
Tao, H., and J. Tao. 2017. “Quantitative analysis of piping erosion micro-mechanisms with coupled CFD and DEM method.” Acta Geotech.12 (3): 573–592. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-016-0516-y.
Tomac, I., and M. Gutierrez. 2014. “Fluid lubrication effects on particle flow and transport in a channel.” Int. J. Multiphase Flow 65: 143–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2014.04.007.
Tomlinson, S. S., and Y. P. Vaid. 2000. “Seepage forces and confining pressure effects on piping erosion.” Can. Geotech. J. 37 (1): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1139/t99-116.
Verachtert, E., W. Maetens, M. Van Den Eeckhaut, J. Poesen, and J. Deckers. 2011. “Soil loss rates due to piping erosion.” Earth Surf. Processes Landforms 36 (13): 1715–1725. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.2186.
Wang, L. Z., Z. Q. Chen, and H. L. Kong. 2017. “An experimental investigation for seepage-induced instability of confined broken mudstones with consideration of mass loss.” Geofluids 2017: 3057910. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3057910.
Wu, J., S. C. Li, Z. H. Xu, X. Huang, Y. G. Xue, Z. C. Wang, and L. P. Li. 2017. “Flow characteristics and escape-route optimization after water inrush in a backward-excavated karst tunnel.” Int. J. Geomech.17 (4): 04016096. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000787.
Wu, J., S.-C. Li, Z.-H. Xu, and J. Zhao. 2019. “Determination of required rock thickness to resist water and mud inrush from karst caves in front of tunnel face under earthquake action.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 85: 43–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2018.11.048.
Wu, Q., Y. Liu, D. Liu, and W. Zhou. 2011. “Prediction of floor water inrush: The application of GIS-based AHP vulnerable index method to Donghuantuo coal mine, China.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 44 (5): 591–600. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-011-0146-5.
Xu, Z. H., J. Wu, S. C. Li, B. Zhang, and X. Huang. 2018. “Semianalytical solution to determine the minimum safety thickness of the rock resisting water inrush from filling-type karst caves.” Int. J. Geomech. 18 (2): 04017152. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001071.
Zarei, H. R., A. Uromeihy, and M. Sharifzadeh. 2012. “Identifying geological hazards related to tunneling in carbonate karstic rocks-Zagros, Iran.” Arabian J. Geosci. 5 (3): 457–464. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-010-0218-y.
Zhang, H. Q., Y. N. He, C. A. Tang, B. Ahmad, and L. J. Han. 2009. “Application of an improved flow-stress-damage model to the criticality assessment of water inrush in a mine: A case study.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 42 (6): 911–930. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-008-0004-2.
Zhang, S. C., W. J. Guo, Y. Y. Li, W. B. Sun, and D. W. Yin. 2017. “Experimental simulation of fault water inrush channel evolution in a coal mine floor.” Mine Water Environ. 36 (3): 443–451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0433-9.
Zhao, Y., P. F. Li, and S. M. Tian. 2013. “Prevention and treatment technologies of railway tunnel water inrush and mud gushing in China.” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng. 5 (6): 468–477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2013.07.009.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 21 • Issue 7 • July 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 29, 2020
Accepted: Nov 27, 2020
Published online: May 6, 2021
Published in print: Jul 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Oct 6, 2021
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Fengran Wei, Huaning Wang, Guangshang Zeng, Mingjing Jiang, Seepage flow around twin circular tunnels in anisotropic ground revealed by an analytical solution, Underground Space, 10.1016/j.undsp.2022.08.003, 10, (1-14), (2023).
- Fangyuan Niu, Yuancheng Cai, Hongjian Liao, Jigang Li, Kunjie Tang, Qiang Wang, Zhichao Wang, Dedi Liu, Tong Liu, Chi Liu, Tao Yang, Unfavorable Geology and Mitigation Measures for Water Inrush Hazard during Subsea Tunnel Construction: A Global Review, Water, 10.3390/w14101592, 14, 10, (1592), (2022).
- Chong Li, Sifeng He, Erosion Effect on Non-Darcy Hydraulic Characteristics of Limestone and Mudstone Mixture, Geofluids, 10.1155/2022/8781289, 2022, (1-13), (2022).
- Dan Ma, Hongyu Duan, Jixiong Zhang, Haibo Bai, A state-of-the-art review on rock seepage mechanism of water inrush disaster in coal mines, International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, 10.1007/s40789-022-00525-w, 9, 1, (2022).