Stresses in Multiple Excavations. A Comparative Study


Estudio Científico, 2017

34 Páginas, Calificación: 2.0


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Table of Contents

1.0 Pre-stressed state of the rock mass

2.0 Stresses around excavations in solid homogenous materials
2.1 Stresses around single excavations
2.1.1 Circular Excavation
2.1.2 Square excavation

3.0 Analytical solutions around multiple circular and square excavations

4.0 Loading behaviour around circular and square excavations using numerical modelling
4.1 Circular Excavation
4.2 Square Excavation

5.0 Results
5.1 Analytical solution
5.2 Numerical solutions for circular and square excavation
5.3 Comparison of equivalent stresses and strains

6.0 Conclusion

7.0 References

8.0 Appendix
8.1 Appendix A: stress and strain distribution around a square excavation
8.2 Appendix B: stress and strain distribution around a circular excavation

Abstract

Determining the stresses that exist in the rock mass opening has been a significant area of research in mining for a long time. The main reason for this is the concern of roof collapse of the excavation due to overlying pressure from the rock mass. This thesis is concerned with the state of stresses that exist in the rock mass in 2 conditions: 1. Stresses in rock before the mine openings; 2. Altered state of stresses after the excavations are made.

Theories have been formulated to calculate the pre-stressed state of the rock mass. But any sort of measurement invalidates the original condition of the intact rock. There are mainly 3 ways to study these different stress conditions in the rock mass.

- Analytical solutions using pre-defined mathematical equations
- Using numerical modelling to predict the stresses by duplicating the in-situ stress conditions.
- In-situ measurements of the stress conditions in the rock mass.

One of the first assumptions we take while doing the measurements is assume that the rock mass is elastic and homogenous (single layer). There are also assumptions where the rock is considered viscous, plastic or a combination of these. But for this research project, I have considered the first assumption. This is done to ease up the subsequent calculations on the more complex characteristics of the rock mass.

In this research project, we attempt to do a comparison of the initial and final stressed conditions of the rock mass in a series of square and circular drifts between the analytical and the numerical solutions of the model. It must be noted that a completely accurate picture of the stress phenomena cannot be drawn because of the lack of knowledge of the physical properties of rock under field conditions.

The purpose of these project is to compare numerically calculated loading behaviour of rock mass to that of analytical solutions obtained from the same.

List of Figures

Fig. 1 : Assumed state of stress from any disturbing influence. (Caudle, 2007)

Fig. 2 : Pressure dome and stress trajectories around a drift (Caudle, 2007)

Fig. 3 : Initial conditions assumed for the analytical solution

Fig. 4 : Equations for stress and strain in circular excavations (Düsterloh,2016)

Fig. 5 : Equivalent stress of the FLAC 3D model for circular excavations

Fig. 6 : Equivalent stress of FLAC 3D model for square excavations

Fig. 7 : Stress curves for a Circular and idealised square excavation (analytical)

Fig. 8 : Strain Curves for Circular and idealised square excavations (analytical)

Fig. 9 : Stress curves for numerically calculated data for circular excavation

Fig. 10 : Stress curves for numerically calculated data for square excavation

Fig. 11 : Strain curves for numerically calculated data for circular excavation

Fig. 12 : Strain curves for numerically calculated data for square excavation

Fig. 13 : Comparison of equivalent stresses in numerical and analytical solutions

Fig. 14 : Regression analysis (stress) of numerical values with analytical values

Fig. 15 : Comparison of equivalent strains in numerical and analytical solutions

Fig. 16 : Regression analysis (strain) of numerical values with analytical values

List of Tables

Table 1: Analytical solutions of the circular excavations and idealised square excavations

Table 2: Solutions from FLAC 3D for multiple circular excavations

Table 3: Solutions from FLAC 3D for multiple square excavations

1.0 Pre-stressed state of the rock mass

The pre-stressed state of the rock mass is influenced by the following factors:

- Weight of the overburden
- Depth of overburden
- Geological discontinuities (folds, faults etc.)
- Physical characteristics of the surrounding rock

A reasonable hypothesis for the initial stresses existing in underground rock before an excavation has been introduced was given by Mindlin in 1939. It was assumed that the stresses inside the earth at different depths maybe approximated by one of the 3 states of pressure. As shown in fig 1. (Caudle, 2007)

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Fig. 1 : Assumed state of stress from any disturbing influence. (Caudle, 2007)

These cases represent the state of variation of the earth stresses. The actual initial stress condition lies between the 2 extreme values mentioned in the diagram. Hence, these 3 conditions mentioned in the Fig. are widely used in elastic analytical methods. Sometimes, however insignificant, soil erosion results in the decrease in the vertical stress on the rock mass. But the lateral pressure remains the same. Because of this, the resultant force pushes the rock mass together and can lead to mountain building.

Beyl (1952), obtained the state of stress in the rock mass at the surface and at depth by superposing three fields of pressure:

- Horizontal force due to orogenetic pressure of the rock mass.
- Vertical force due to the overlying weight of the rock mass.
- A hydrostatic pressure equal in all directions.

Since using these forces requires a knowledge of the orogenetic pressure of the rock mass, which we have not considered in our solution, we can use the theories of Mindlin to solve the problem in the analytical solution.

2.0 Stresses around excavations in solid homogenous materials

For the purposes of the project, we have selected the seam of coal and assumed it to be homogenous with no faults existing in the rock mass or the seam. The material is assumed to be elastic for the purposes of easier calculations.

The main aim of doing the stress analysis is to determine the existing stresses in the rock mass before the excavation, and the subsequent change and redistribution of the stresses after the excavations have been introduced.

Many early investigations conducted in obtaining the stress states of the rock mass was centred around the fact that a dome shaped space used to form around caved underground openings. When the opening is finished, the rock fails after a while and the original opening was converted to a dome shaped opening which re-established equilibrium in the rock mass. This simple observation gave rise to the dome theory in excavation engineering and is the cornerstone of our solution using the analytical method.

According to the dome theory, we assume that the rocks overlying an excavation are acted on by two forces only – cohesion and gravity. When the value of the gravitational force increases compared to the cohesion, there is roof failure forming an enlarging arch as shown in fig. 2 (Singh, 2005). Subsidence can occur if the dome reaches the surface.

illustration not visible in this excerpt

Fig. 2 : Pressure dome and stress trajectories around a drift (Caudle, 2007)

2.1 Stresses around single excavations

As the starting point of any calculation, we must first consider the effect of a single excavation on the underground and then move on to multiple excavations. This is of paramount importance as the pressure redistribution changes in different shapes as well as the number of excavations and the circular excavation seems like the most basic shape to start the analysis with.

The main objective of these problems is to achieve:

- Effect of different shapes in stress concentrations around the boundary of the excavation.
- The most stable shape to perform the excavation to avoid failure of the rock
- Determine in situ stress around the mine openings

2.1.1 Circular Excavation

The 3 states of pressure that existed before the excavation was made is used to solve the problem of the stress due to gravity in the circular excavation. During these calculations, we consider the length of the tunnel to be infinite compared to the cross-sectional diameter of the excavation. This is also one of the preliminary conditions mentioned in the problem.

Panek (1952), postulated that the maximum tensile and compressive stresses occur in the boundary of the opening. The roof and floor of the excavation are in tension and the ribs are in compression. But when the lateral pressure is greater than one half the vertical pressure, the tangential stress becomes compressive. Therefore, the Poisson’s ratio is important because it determines the lateral pressure (Caudle, 2007).

2.1.2 Square excavation

In square excavations, the stress concentrations are a little varied. It is a more unstable configuration, and hence, not widely used in mines. The maximum stress concentrations are around the edges of the mine pillars, on the roof. The floor sometimes is subjected to tensile stresses rather than compressive stress. This leads to uneven stress distribution and roof collapse. While making square pillars, we must keep in mind the cross-sectional area of the roof so that it can withstand the overlying rock mass. Most of the load measurements are done in-situ in case of a square excavation (less accuracy through analytical solutions).

3.0 Analytical solutions around multiple circular and square excavations

While doing analytical calculations we assume certain characteristics of the rock mass. The first one being that the rock is elastic and isotropic. The mineral group where the excavation is taking place is assumed to be a coal seam which is at a depth of 100 m. The initial conditions for finding out the solutions of stresses are mentioned in Fig. 3.

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Fig. 3 : Initial conditions assumed for the analytical solution

As we can see from fig. 3, the support resistance is assumed to be zero. When we have not made the excavations, the initial vertical pressure of the entire rock mass along the middle of the coal seam is calculated as 2.38 MPa.

The equations used to obtain the analytical solutions are displayed in Fig. 4. The first two equations are for the radial and tangential stresses respectively. The last two equations are for the radial and tangential strains respectively. The symbols mentioned in the equations are all described in fig. 3 with the initial conditions.

Fig. 4 : Equations for stress and strain in circular excavations (Düsterloh,2016)

The equations have been simplified due to the value of K0 being 1 and some of the terms cancelling out.

The results of the analytical solution are in table 1. Note that this solution is for circular excavations only. The solution for square excavations is also assumed to be same as the square excavations are idealised as circular and the dimensions remain the same. The values we get from these equations are a result of 2 excavations on either side of the pillar. the values mentioned here are a resultant of the stresses due to both the excavations on the pillar. To find the resultant stresses, we simply add the stresses from both the excavations and then subtract the vertical stress from the result to obtain the stress on each part. The analytical solutions are only an assumption and not related to the actual field conditions.

The graphs of the stresses and strains will be analysed in the later part of the study.

illustration not visible in this excerpt

Table 1: Analytical solutions of the circular excavations and idealised square excavations

4.0 Loading behaviour around circular and square excavations using numerical modelling

While using numerical modelling software, we must keep in mind first the boundary conditions of the model. For this project, we have used FLAC 3D to analyse the loading behaviour of the rock mass. It is a rock mechanics software used to model these excavations and simulate the approximate conditions as one might find in the real excavation. To write the code for the boundary conditions as well as to model this, we have used the FISH language which is an indigenous programming language exclusive to FLAC 3D.

During the start of this project, the first thing to do is to learn the library of FISH functions which help in creating the boundary conditions and other functions. Without getting in detail into the language and the programming part, we will concentrate on the execution part of the numerical modelling. After we create the model including the rock mass and the mineral, we provide different characteristics to each of them including the young’s modulus, density and strength of the rock mass or the mineral. Based on these properties, we get an initial model of the excavation as shown in Fig. 5 where the groups are mentioned.

illustration not visible in this excerpt

Fig. 5 : Initial zone assignment for simulation

Once these are discretised, we move on to applying the load on the model under the given boundary conditions. The model is discretised into individual zones on which the loads and other properties are applied. For our project, we have taken a total of 12000 zones. Of these, 4800 zones are assigned to the rock and coal group each, and the remaining 2400 zones equally divided among the 6 tunnels. In this project, we have assumed a mechanical elastic model. First the load is applied to the unexcavated rock mass. After that, the excavations are made and the load is applied on the excavated rock mass for both the shapes. The results are summarised usually in colour scale to get a glimpse of the load distribution. The list function in FLAC 3D is used to get the values of loading on specific points in the model so that we can compare it to the analytical solutions obtained above. The results of numerical modelling on both the shapes are mentioned below.

4.1 Circular Excavation

The results were analysed from the model and are represented in tabular form in table 2. A glimpse of how the results look like is shown in Fig. 6. It represents the equivalent stress of the model in colour scale.

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Fig. 6 : Equivalent stress of the FLAC 3D model for circular excavations

The points that we use for the readings of the numerical simulation are all located at the centre of the respective elements of the model. So, the stress we measure is at the centroid of each element in the pillar because it is an average Stress applied to the whole element in the pillar.

illustration not visible in this excerpt

Table 2: Solutions from FLAC 3D for multiple circular excavations

4.2 Square Excavation

For the square excavation, the results for the equivalent stress look like as shown in Fig. 7. The rest of the stresses and strains are listed in table 3.

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Fig. 7 : Equivalent stress of FLAC 3D model for square excavations

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Table 3: Solutions from FLAC 3D for multiple square excavations

[...]

Final del extracto de 34 páginas

Detalles

Título
Stresses in Multiple Excavations. A Comparative Study
Universidad
Technical University of Clausthal  (Department of waste disposal and Geomechanics)
Curso
Applied rock mechanics
Calificación
2.0
Autor
Año
2017
Páginas
34
No. de catálogo
V380431
ISBN (Ebook)
9783668581890
ISBN (Libro)
9783668581906
Tamaño de fichero
1960 KB
Idioma
Inglés
Palabras clave
rock mechanics, excavations, stress concentration
Citar trabajo
Arijit Ghosh (Autor), 2017, Stresses in Multiple Excavations. A Comparative Study, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/380431

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