Excavation-induced structural deterioration of rock masses at different depths

• Published in: Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering Vol. 22; no. 2; p. 81
• Main Authors: Zhang, R., Xie, H. P., Ren, L., Deng, J. H., Gao, M. Z., Feng, G., Zhang, Z. T., Li, X. P., Tan, Q.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 26.02.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acoustic waves; Acoustics; Boreholes; Civil Engineering; Damage patterns; Deterioration; Digital imaging; Engineering; Excavation; Field study; Hydroelectric power; Lithology; Marble; Mechanical Engineering; Original Article; Rock mass rating; Stress concentration; Structural Materials; Velocity; Rock mass; Damage; Fracture network; Deep tunnel
• ISSN: 2083-3318; 1644-9665; 2083-3318
• DOI: 10.1007/s43452-022-00401-z

The excavation-induced deterioration of rock mass quality and integrity may significantly affect the stability of deep underground spaces. However, the influence of the burial depth on excavation-induced rock mass structural deterioration remains unclear. To address this issue, in the Jinping II auxiliary tunnels, borehole acoustic wave and digital panoramic borehole imaging tests were conducted at five depths, and the surrounding rock mass structure deterioration was comprehensively quantified at these depths. The results show that the wave curve significantly varies with increasing depth, and the deeper the tunnel section is, the more severe the rock damage is, the larger the excavation damage zone is, and the more complex the generated fracture network is. An excavation-damaged zone and excavation-disturbed zone (EdZ) were found in the rock masses at shallow depths, while a highly damaged zone (HDZ) and EdZ were observed at greater depths. Further investigation demonstrates that the formation pattern of excavation-damaged zones (EDZs) at deep depths follows a stress-concentration-controlled mode, and at very shallow depths, horizontal unloading plays a dominant role in the EDZ formation process (yielding a pure unloading-controlled mode), while at intermediate depths, a mixed EDZ formation mode is observed.