scholarly journals Generation of Numerical Models of Anisotropic Columnar Jointed Rock Mass Using Modified Centroidal Voronoi Diagrams

Symmetry ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingxiang Meng ◽  
Long Yan ◽  
Yulong Chen ◽  
Qiang Zhang

A columnar joint network is a natural fracture pattern with high symmetry, which leads to the anisotropy mechanical property of columnar basalt. For a better understanding the mechanical behavior, a novel modeling method for columnar jointed rock mass through field investigation is proposed in this paper. Natural columnar jointed networks lies between random and centroidal Voronoi tessellations. This heterogeneity of columnar cells in shape and area can be represented using the coefficient of variation, which can be easily estimated. Using the bisection method, a modified Lloyd’s algorithm is proposed to generate a Voronoi diagram with a specified coefficient of variation. Modelling of the columnar jointed rock mass using six parameters is then presented. A case study of columnar basalt at Baihetan Dam is performed to demonstrate the feasibility of this method. The results show that this method is applicable in the modeling of columnar jointed rock mass as well as similar polycrystalline materials.

2011 ◽  
Vol 90-93 ◽  
pp. 2033-2036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Shan Sun ◽  
Hong Jun Guo ◽  
Wen Bo Lu ◽  
Qing Hui Jiang

The factors affecting the TBM tunnel behavior in jointed rock mass is investigated. In the numerical models the concrete segment lining of TBM tunnel is concerned, which is simulated as a tube neglecting the segment joint. And the TBM tunnel construction process is simulate considering the excavation and installing of the segment linings. Some cases are analyzed with different joint orientation, joint spacing, joint strength and tunnel depth. The results show that the shape and areas of loosing zones of the tunnel are influenced by the parameters of joint sets and in-situ stress significantly, such as dip angle, spacing, strength, and the in-situ stress statement. And the stress and deformation of the tunnel lining are influenced by the parameters of joint sets and in-situ stress, too.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Qian-Cheng Sun ◽  
Hao-Sen Guo ◽  
Zhi-Hua Xu ◽  
Yue Liu ◽  
Xiao Xu

It is very important to accurately determine the depth of excavation damaged zone for underground engineering excavation and surrounding rock stability evaluation, and it can be measured by acoustic test, but there is no quantitative method for analysis of the results, and it relies heavily on the experience of engineers, which leads to the low reliability of the results and also limits the application of the acoustic method. According to substantial field test data and the feedback of surrounding rock support parameters, the boundary method is proposed to determine the depth of excavation damaged zone in surrounding rock based on the relation between the ultrasonic velocity of measured point and the background wave velocity of rock mass. When the method is applied to the columnar jointed rock mass of Baihetan and the deep-buried hard rock of Jinping, the excavation damaged zone was well judged. The results in the Baihetan project show that the proposed method of determining excavation damage zone by the acoustic test can well demonstrate the anisotropy characteristics of the columnar jointed rock mass, and the damage evolution characteristics of jointed rock mass at the same position can also be obtained accurately. Moreover, the method also can accurately reveal the damage evolution process of the deep-buried hard rock under the condition of high ground stress, which proved the applicability of this method in jointed or nonjointed rock masses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Yanxin He ◽  
Zhende Zhu ◽  
Wenbin Lu ◽  
Yuan Tian ◽  
Xinghua Xie ◽  
...  

Many columnar jointed rock masses (basalt) are present at the Baihetan hydropower dam site, and their seepage characteristics have a significant impact on the project’s safety and stability. In this study, model samples consisting of material similar to the columnar jointed rock mass with different inclination angles (0°–90°) were prepared and laboratory triaxial seepage tests were performed to study the seepage characteristics of the columnar jointed rock mass under maximum axial principal stress. The experimental results showed that the similar material model samples of columnar jointed rock mass showed obvious seepage anisotropy. The nonlinear seepage characteristics were well described by the Forchheimer and Izbash equations, and the fitting coefficients of the two equations were in good correspondence. The curves describing the relationship between the inherent permeability and the stress of the samples with different dip angles were U-shaped and L-shaped, and a one-variable cubic equation well described the relationship. The 45° angle specimen had the highest sensitivity to the maximum principal stress, and its final permeability increased by 144.25% compared with the initial permeability. The research results can provide theoretical support for the stability evaluation of the Baihetan hydropower station.


Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Yanxin He ◽  
Zhende Zhu ◽  
Wenbin Lu ◽  
Yunjin Hu ◽  
Xinghua Xie ◽  
...  

A columnar jointed rock mass is a type of rock mass with strong geometric anisotropy and high interface permeability. Its seepage characteristics pose new challenges to the construction and maintenance of the Baihetan Hydropower Station on the Jinsha River. The research object in this study is the columnar jointed rock mass (basalt) in the dam area of Baihetan Hydropower Station. Similar-material model samples of the columnar jointed rock mass with different column dip angles ( α = 0 ° ~90°) were prepared following a similar principle. A true triaxial seepage–stress coupling test was conducted to evaluate the seepage characteristics of similar-material samples with different dip angles under intermediate principal stress and minimum principal stress. The experimental results showed that the columnar jointed rock mass exhibited apparent seepage anisotropy. The relationship curve between the volume flow rate Q and the pressure gradient − d P / d L of the samples with different dip angles showed evident nonlinear seepage under intermediate principal stress, which could be well expressed using the Forchheimer equation. It shows the characteristics of a typical linear Darcy flow under minimum principal stress. The law of variations in the permeability of the samples with different dip angles under intermediate principal stress can be well expressed using the one-dimensional quadratic function equation k = a + b σ 2 + c σ 2 2 , and the law of variations in the permeability of the samples with different dip angles under minimum principal stress can be well expressed using the logarithmic function k = a + b ln σ 3 . The permeabilities of the columnar jointed rock mass with dip angles of 0°, 15°, 30°, and 60° were most sensitive to changes in stress, and the seepage characteristics increased in complexity after changes in stress.


Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zihao Niu ◽  
Zhende Zhu ◽  
Xiangcheng Que

Columnar jointed rock mass (CJRM) is a highly symmetrical natural fractured structure. As the rock mass of the dam foundation of the Baihetan Hydropower Station, the study of its permeability anisotropy is of great significance to engineering safety. Based on the theory of composite mechanics and Goodman’s joint superposition principle, the constitutive model of joints of CJRM is derived according to the Quadrangular prism, the Pentagonal prism and the Hexagonal prism model; combined with Singh’s research results on intermittent joint stress concentration, considering column deflection angles, the joint constitutive model of CJRM in three-dimensional space is established. For the CJRM in the Baihetan dam site area, the Quadrangular prism, the Pentagonal prism and the Hexagonal prism constitutive models were used to calculate the permeability coefficients of CJRM under different deflection angles. The permeability anisotropy characteristics of the three models were compared and verified by numerical simulation results. The results show that the calculation results of the Pentagonal prism model are in good agreement with the numerical simulation results. The variation of permeability coefficient under different confining pressures is compared, and the relationship between permeability coefficient and confining pressure is obtained, which accords with the negative exponential function and conforms to the general rule of joint seepage.


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