[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/
Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Rock Mass Stability Investigation Around Tunnels in an Underground Mine in USA

  • Original paper
  • Published:
Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Stability and deformation of rock masses around tunnels in underground mines play significant roles on the safety and efficient exploitation of the ore body. Therefore, understanding of geomechanical behavior around underground excavations is important and necessary. In this study, a three-dimensional numerical model was built and stress analyses were performed by using 3DEC software for an underground mine in USA using the available information on stratigraphy, geological structures and mechanical properties of rock masses and discontinuities. Investigations were conducted to study the effect of the lateral stress ratio (K0), material constitutive models, boundary conditions and rock support system on the stability of rock masses around the tunnels. Results of the stress, displacement, failure zone, accumulated plastic shear strain and post-failure cohesion distributions were obtained for these cases. Finally, comparisons of the deformation were made between the field deformation measurements and numerical simulations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
£29.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (United Kingdom)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26
Fig. 27
Fig. 28
Fig. 29
Fig. 30
Fig. 31

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aydan O, Ulusay R, Kawamoto T (1997) Assessment of rock mass strength for underground excavations. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 34:18.e1–18.e17

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton N, Lien R, Lunde J (1974) Engineering classification of rock masses for the design of tunnel support. Rock Mech 6:189–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen G, Jia ZH, Ke JC (1997) Probabilistic analysis of underground excavation stability. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 34:51.e1–51.e16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chryssanthakis P, Barton N, Lorig L, Christianson M (1997) Numerical simulation of fiber reinforced shotcrete in tunnel using the discrete element method. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 34:54.e1–54.e14

    Google Scholar 

  • Cundall PA (1971) A computer model for simulating progressive, large-scale movements in blocky rock systems. In: Proceedings of the international symposium rock fracture. ISRM Proceedings, vol 2, pp 129–136

  • Cundall PA (1980) UDEC-A generalized distinct element program for modelling jointed rock. Report from P. Cundall Associates to U.S. Army European Research Office, London

  • Cundall PA (1988) Formulation of a three-dimensional distinct element model—part I. A scheme to detect and represent contacts in a system composed of many polyhedral blocks. Int J Rock Mech Sci Geomech 25:107–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cundall PA, Hart RD (1992) Numerical modelling of discontinua. Eng Comput 9:101–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fekete S, Diederichs M (2013) Integration of three-dimensional laser scanning with discontinuum modelling for stability analysis of tunnels in blocky rockmasses. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 57:11–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Funatsu T, Hoshino T, Sawae H, Shimizu N (2008) Numerical analysis to better understand the mechanism of the effects of ground supports and reinforcements on the stability of tunnels using the distinct element method. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 23:561–573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hajiabdolmajid V, Kaiser PK, Martin CD (2002) Modelling brittle failure of rock. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 39:731–741

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hao YH, Azzam R (2005) The plastic zones and displacements around underground openings in rock masses containing a fault. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 20:49–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He ZM, Cao P (2008) Deformation and stability analysis of underground stope after excavation considering strain softening. J Cent South Univ (Sci Technol) 39:641–646

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Kaiser PK, Bawden WF (1995) Support of underground excavations in hard rock. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Itasca Consulting Group, Inc (2007) 3DEC-3 dimensional distinct element code, version 4.1

  • Jiang Y, Yoneda H, Tanabashi Y (2001) Theoretical estimation of loosening pressure on tunnels in soft rocks. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 16:99–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang YJ, Tanabashi Y, Li B, Xiao J (2006) Influence of geometrical distribution of rock joints on deformational behavior of underground opening. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 21:485–491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jing L (2003) A review of techniques, advances and outstanding issues in numerical modelling for rock mechanics and rock engineering. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 40:283–353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kulatilake PHSW, Ucpirti H, Wang S, Radberg G, Stephansson O (1992) Use of the distinct element method to perform stress analysis in rock with non-persistent joints and to study the effect of joint geometry parameters on the strength and deformability of rock masses. Rock Mech Rock Eng 25:253–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kulatilake PHSW, Wang S, Stephansson O (1993) Effect of finite size joints on the deformability of jointed rock in three dimensions. Int J Rock Mech Sci Geomech 30:479–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kulatilake PHSW, Wu Q, Yu ZX, Jiang FX (2013) Investigation of stability of a tunnel in deep coal mine in China. Int J Min Sci Technol 23:579–589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee YK, Pietruszczak S (2008) A new numerical procedure for elasto-plastic analysis of a circular opening excavated in a strain-softening rock mass. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 23:588–599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu HB, Chen JT, Ming Xiao (2012) Modeling and simulation of joint zone for stability analysis of underground excavation engineering. Procedia Eng 37:1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nickson SD (1992) Cable support guidelines for underground hard rock mine operations. Thesis, The University of British Columbia

  • Ray AK (2009) Influence of cutting sequence and time effects on cutters and roof falls in underground coal mine—numerical approach. Dissertation, West Virginia University

  • Read HE, Hegemier GA (1984) Strain softening of rock, soil and concrete—a review article. Mech Mater 3:271–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen B, Barton N (1997) The disturbed zone around tunnels in jointed rock masses. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 34:117–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shreedharan S, Kulatilake PHSW (2016) Discontinuum-equivalent continuum analysis of the stability of the stability of tunnels in a deep coal mine using the distinct element method. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49:1903–1922

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tan WH, Kulatilake PHSW, Sun HB (2014a) Influence of an inclined rock stratum on in situ stress state in an open-pit mine. Geotech Geol Eng 32:31–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tan WH, Kulatilake PHSW, Sun HB (2014b) Effect of faults on in situ stress state in an open-pit mine. Electron J Geotech Eng 19:9597–9629

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang SL, Zheng H, Li CG, Ge XR (2011) A finite element implementation of strain-softening rock mass. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 48:67–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Kulatilake PHSW, Song WD (2012) Stability investigations around a mine tunnel through three-dimensional discontinuum and continuum stress analyses. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 32:98–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Q, Kulatilake PHSW (2012a) REV and its properties on fracture system and mechanical properties, and an orthotropic constitutive model for a jointed rock mass in a dam site in China. Int J Comput Geotech 43:124–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Q, Kulatilake PHSW (2012b) Application of equivalent continuum and discontinuum stress analyses in three-dimensions to investigate stability of a rock tunnel in a dam site in China. Int J Comput Geotech 46:48–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The research was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the Contract No. 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 as a Visiting PhD Student (in the first year) as well as a regular Ph.D. student (in the second year) at the University of Arizona.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Yan Xing

  2. State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    Yan Xing

  3. Rock Mass Modeling and Computational Rock Mechanics Laboratories, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    P. H. S. W. Kulatilake

  4. Barrick Gold Inc., Golconda, NV, 89414, USA

    L. A. Sandbak

Authors
  1. Yan Xing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. H. S. W. Kulatilake
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. A. Sandbak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. H. S. W. Kulatilake.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xing, Y., Kulatilake, P.H.S.W. & Sandbak, L.A. Rock Mass Stability Investigation Around Tunnels in an Underground Mine in USA. Geotech Geol Eng 35, 45–67 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-016-0084-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-016-0084-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation