Analysis of fracture propagation in a rock mass surrounding a tunnel under high internal pressure by the element-free Galerkin method
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Author list: Tunsakul J., Jongpradist P., Soparat P., Kongkitkul W., Nanakorn P.
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication year: 2014
Journal: Computers and Geotechnics (0266-352X)
Volume number: 55
Start page: 78
End page: 90
Number of pages: 13
ISSN: 0266-352X
eISSN: 1873-7633
Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)
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Abstract
Fractures developed around high pressurized gas or air storage tunnels can progressively extend to the ground surface, eventually leading to an uplift failure. A tool reasonably reproducing the failure patterns is necessary for stability assessment. In this study, a numerical method based on the element-free Galerkin (EFG) method with a cohesive crack model is developed to simulate fracture propagation patterns in the rock mass around a tunnel under high internal pressure. A series of physical model tests was also conducted to validate the reliability of the developed method. A qualitative agreement between physical model tests and numerical results can be obtained. The in situ stress ratio, k, has a strong influence on both the position of crack initiation and the propagation direction. The numerical analyses were extended to full-scale problems. Numerical tests were performed to investigate the prime influencing factors on the failure patterns of a high pressurized gas circular tunnel with varying parameters. The results suggest that initial in situ stress conditions with a high k (larger than 1) is favorable for construction of pressurized gas or air storage tunnels. ฉ 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords
EFG, Fracture propagation, Tunnel in rock
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