Modified ground response curve (GRC) in strain-softening rock mass based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion considering over-excavation

The ground response curve (GRC) depicts the relationship between support reaction force and ground displacement, which improves the understanding of ground-support interaction and provides important references to the tunnel design. However, it is difficult to anticipate the tunneling-induced large d...

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Main Authors: Chen Xu, Caichu Xia, Changling Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2021-10-01
Series:Underground Space
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2467967421000556
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author Chen Xu
Caichu Xia
Changling Han
author_facet Chen Xu
Caichu Xia
Changling Han
author_sort Chen Xu
collection DOAJ
description The ground response curve (GRC) depicts the relationship between support reaction force and ground displacement, which improves the understanding of ground-support interaction and provides important references to the tunnel design. However, it is difficult to anticipate the tunneling-induced large deformation with sufficient reliability in soft rock with high geostress since the small strain theory is not applicable. When large deformation occurs, the tunnel needs to be over-excavated. Thus, the GRC should be modified considering the enlarged excavation radius since the actual excavation radius is usually greater than the designed one. To overcome the shortcomings of small strain theory in recognizing ground-support interaction under large deformation circumstances, a new large strain numerical approach for modifying the GRC was proposed considering over-excavation in strain-softening rock masses based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion. A case study was conducted based on the Lianchengshan tunnel in China. The modified GRC was employed to investigate the ground-support behavior for different support schemes and to explore the applicability of the stress release measures. Combined with field tests, the proposed approach was validated. By comparing with GRCs proposed by previous work, the present modified GRC was proved to be superior to others. Parametric studies were conducted and it is found that over-excavation, for example, reserving a very large clearance between the surrounding rock and the support, is necessary to reduce ground pressure to a large extent. The yielding supports which can provide high support pressure during the process of deformation are highly recommended when tunneling in high geostress environment. However, if the initial geostress is not very high, it is not necessary to pursue unwarranted over-excavation since the ground pressure applied on the support is mainly the loosening stress when the deformation is large. Ample support stiffness should be provided in the process of deformation to prevent uncontrolled large deformation of surrounding rock.
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spelling doaj.art-7dfc72a8d42f41e78137cce132de527d2023-09-02T16:08:45ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Underground Space2467-96742021-10-0165585602Modified ground response curve (GRC) in strain-softening rock mass based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion considering over-excavationChen Xu0Caichu Xia1Changling Han2Institute of Rock Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; Department of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Corresponding authors at: Institute of Rock Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China (C. Xu).Institute of Rock Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; Corresponding authors at: Institute of Rock Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China (C. Xu).CCCC First Highway Consultants Co., Ltd, Xi’an, Shaanxi, ChinaThe ground response curve (GRC) depicts the relationship between support reaction force and ground displacement, which improves the understanding of ground-support interaction and provides important references to the tunnel design. However, it is difficult to anticipate the tunneling-induced large deformation with sufficient reliability in soft rock with high geostress since the small strain theory is not applicable. When large deformation occurs, the tunnel needs to be over-excavated. Thus, the GRC should be modified considering the enlarged excavation radius since the actual excavation radius is usually greater than the designed one. To overcome the shortcomings of small strain theory in recognizing ground-support interaction under large deformation circumstances, a new large strain numerical approach for modifying the GRC was proposed considering over-excavation in strain-softening rock masses based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion. A case study was conducted based on the Lianchengshan tunnel in China. The modified GRC was employed to investigate the ground-support behavior for different support schemes and to explore the applicability of the stress release measures. Combined with field tests, the proposed approach was validated. By comparing with GRCs proposed by previous work, the present modified GRC was proved to be superior to others. Parametric studies were conducted and it is found that over-excavation, for example, reserving a very large clearance between the surrounding rock and the support, is necessary to reduce ground pressure to a large extent. The yielding supports which can provide high support pressure during the process of deformation are highly recommended when tunneling in high geostress environment. However, if the initial geostress is not very high, it is not necessary to pursue unwarranted over-excavation since the ground pressure applied on the support is mainly the loosening stress when the deformation is large. Ample support stiffness should be provided in the process of deformation to prevent uncontrolled large deformation of surrounding rock.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2467967421000556Ground response curveLarge strainOver-excavationStrain-softeningSoft rock tunnel
spellingShingle Chen Xu
Caichu Xia
Changling Han
Modified ground response curve (GRC) in strain-softening rock mass based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion considering over-excavation
Underground Space
Ground response curve
Large strain
Over-excavation
Strain-softening
Soft rock tunnel
title Modified ground response curve (GRC) in strain-softening rock mass based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion considering over-excavation
title_full Modified ground response curve (GRC) in strain-softening rock mass based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion considering over-excavation
title_fullStr Modified ground response curve (GRC) in strain-softening rock mass based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion considering over-excavation
title_full_unstemmed Modified ground response curve (GRC) in strain-softening rock mass based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion considering over-excavation
title_short Modified ground response curve (GRC) in strain-softening rock mass based on the generalized Zhang-Zhu strength criterion considering over-excavation
title_sort modified ground response curve grc in strain softening rock mass based on the generalized zhang zhu strength criterion considering over excavation
topic Ground response curve
Large strain
Over-excavation
Strain-softening
Soft rock tunnel
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2467967421000556
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AT caichuxia modifiedgroundresponsecurvegrcinstrainsofteningrockmassbasedonthegeneralizedzhangzhustrengthcriterionconsideringoverexcavation
AT changlinghan modifiedgroundresponsecurvegrcinstrainsofteningrockmassbasedonthegeneralizedzhangzhustrengthcriterionconsideringoverexcavation