Wellbore breakout is one of the critical issues in drilling due to the fact that the related problems result in additional costs and impact the drilling scheme severely.However,the majority of such wellbore breakout a...Wellbore breakout is one of the critical issues in drilling due to the fact that the related problems result in additional costs and impact the drilling scheme severely.However,the majority of such wellbore breakout analyses were based on continuum mechanics.In addition to failure in intact rocks,wellbore breakouts can also be initiated along natural discontinuities,e.g.weak planes and fractures.Furthermore,the conventional models in wellbore breakouts with uniform distribution fractures could not reflect the real drilling situation.This paper presents a fully coupled hydro-mechanical model of the SB-X well in the Tarim Basin,China for evaluating wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks under anisotropic stress states using the distinct element method(DEM)and the discrete fracture network(DFN).The developed model was validated against caliper log measurement,and its stability study was carried out by stress and displacement analyses.A parametric study was performed to investigate the effects of the characteristics of fracture distribution(orientation and length)on borehole stability by sensitivity studies.Simulation results demonstrate that the increase of the standard deviation of orientation when the fracture direction aligns parallel or perpendicular to the principal stress direction aggravates borehole instability.Moreover,an elevation in the average fracture length causes the borehole failure to change from the direction of the minimum in-situ horizontal principal stress(i.e.the direction of wellbore breakouts)towards alternative directions,ultimately leading to the whole wellbore failure.These findings provide theoretical insights for predicting wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks.展开更多
Borehole instability in naturally fractured rocks poses significant challenges to drilling.Drilling mud invades the surrounding formations through natural fractures under the difference between the wellbore pressure(P...Borehole instability in naturally fractured rocks poses significant challenges to drilling.Drilling mud invades the surrounding formations through natural fractures under the difference between the wellbore pressure(P w)and pore pressure(P p)during drilling,which may cause wellbore instability.However,the weakening of fracture strength due to mud intrusion is not considered in most existing borehole stability analyses,which may yield significant errors and misleading predictions.In addition,only limited factors were analyzed,and the fracture distribution was oversimplified.In this paper,the impacts of mud intrusion and associated fracture strength weakening on borehole stability in fractured rocks under both isotropic and anisotropic stress states are investigated using a coupled DEM(distinct element method)and DFN(discrete fracture network)method.It provides estimates of the effect of fracture strength weakening,wellbore pressure,in situ stresses,and sealing efficiency on borehole stability.The results show that mud intrusion and weakening of fracture strength can damage the borehole.This is demonstrated by the large displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on natural fractures,and the generation of fracture at shear limit.Mud intrusion reduces the shear strength of the fracture surface and leads to shear failure,which explains that the increase in mud weight may worsen borehole stability during overbalanced drilling in fractured formations.A higher in situ stress anisotropy exerts a significant influence on the mechanism of shear failure distribution around the wellbore.Moreover,the effect of sealing natural fractures on maintaining borehole stability is verified in this study,and the increase in sealing efficiency reduces the radial invasion distance of drilling mud.This study provides a directly quantitative prediction method of borehole instability in naturally fractured formations,which can consider the discrete fracture network,mud intrusion,and associated weakening of fracture strength.The information provided by the numerical approach(e.g.displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on fracture,and fracture at shear limit)is helpful for managing wellbore stability and designing wellbore-strengthening operations.展开更多
Modeling unsaturated flow in fractured rocks is essential in various subsurface engineering applications,but it remains a great challenge due to the difficulties in determining the unsaturated hydraulic properties of ...Modeling unsaturated flow in fractured rocks is essential in various subsurface engineering applications,but it remains a great challenge due to the difficulties in determining the unsaturated hydraulic properties of rocks that contain various scales of fractures.It is generally accepted that the van Genuchten(VG)model can be applied to fractured rocks,provided that the hydraulic parameters could be representatively determined.In this study,scaling relationships between the VG parameters(a and n)and hydraulic conductivity(K)across 8 orders of magnitude,from 10^(-10)m/s to 10^(-2)m/s,were proposed by statistical analysis of data obtained from 1416 soil samples.The correlations were then generalized to predict the upper bounds of VG parameters for fractured rocks from the K data that could be obtained more easily under field conditions,and were validated against a limited set of data from cores,fractures and fractured rocks available in the literature.The upper bound estimates significantly narrow the ranges of VG parameters,and the representative values of a and n for fractured rocks at the field scale can then be determined with confidence by inverse modeling using groundwater observations in saturated zones.The proposed methodology was applied to saturated-unsaturated flow modeling in the right-bank slope at the Baihetan dam site with a continuum approach,showing that most of the flow behaviors in fractured rocks in this complex hydrogeological condition could be properly reproduced.The proposed method overcomes difficulties in suction measurement in fractured rocks with strong heterogeneity,and provides a feasible way for modeling of saturated-unsaturated flow in fractured rocks with acceptable engineering accuracy.展开更多
Prediction of radon flux from the fractured zone of a propagating cave mine is basically associated with uncertainty and complexity. For instance, there is restricted access to these zones for field measure- ments, an...Prediction of radon flux from the fractured zone of a propagating cave mine is basically associated with uncertainty and complexity. For instance, there is restricted access to these zones for field measure- ments, and it is quite difficult to replicate the complex nature of both natural and induced fractures in these zones in laboratory studies. Hence, a technique for predicting radon flux from a fractured rock using a discrete fracture network (DFN) model is developed to address these difficulties. This model quantifies the contribution of fractures to the total radon flux, and estimates the fracture density from a measured radon flux considering the effects of advection, diffusion, as well as radon generation and decay. Radon generation and decay are classified as reaction processes. Therefore, the equation solved is termed as the advection-diffusion-reaction equation (ADRE). Peclet number (Pe), a conventional dimensionless parameter that indicates the ratio of mass transport by advection to diffusion, is used to classify the transport regimes. The results show that the proposed model effectively predicts radon flux from a fractured rock. An increase in fracture density for a rock sample with uniformly distributed radon generation rate can elevate radon flux significantly compared with another rock sample with an equivalent increase in radon generation rate. In addition to Pe, two other independent dimensionless parameters (derived for radon transport through fractures) significantly affect radon dimensionless flux. Findings provide insight into radon transport through fractured rocks and can be used to improve radon control measures for proactive mitigation.展开更多
Knowledge of the strength and deformability of fractured rocks is important for design, construction and stability evaluation of slopes, foundations and underground excavations in civil and mining engineering. However...Knowledge of the strength and deformability of fractured rocks is important for design, construction and stability evaluation of slopes, foundations and underground excavations in civil and mining engineering. However, laboratory tests of intact rock samples cannot provide information about the strength and deformation behaviors of fractured rock masses that include many fractures of varying sizes, orientations and locations. On the other hand, large-scale in situ tests of fractured rock masses are economically costly and often not practical in reality at present. Therefore, numerical modeling becomes necessary. Numerical predicting using discrete element methods(DEM) is a suitable approach for such modeling because of their advantages of explicit representations of both fractures system geometry and their constitutive behaviors of fractures, besides that of intact rock matrix. In this study, to generically determine the compressive strength of fractured rock masses, a series of numerical experiments were performed on two-dimensional discrete fracture network models based on the realistic geometrical and mechanical data of fracture systems from feld mapping. We used the UDEC code and a numerical servo-controlled program for controlling the progressive compressive loading process to avoid sudden violent failure of the models. The two loading conditions applied are similar to the standard laboratory testing for intact rock samples in order to check possible differences caused by such loading conditions. Numerical results show that the strength of fractured rocks increases with the increasing confning pressure, and that deformation behavior of fractured rocks follows elasto-plastic model with a trend of strain hardening. The stresses and strains obtained from these numerical experiments were used to ft the well-known Mohr-Coulomb(MC) and Hoek-Brown(H-B) failure criteria, represented by equivalent material properties defning these two criteria. The results show that both criteria can provide fair estimates of the compressive strengths for all tested numerical models. Parameters of the elastic deformability of fractured models during elastic deformation stages were also evaluated, and represented as equivalent Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio as functions of lateral confning pressure. It is the frst time that such systematic numerical predicting for strength of fractured rocks was performed considering different loading conditions, with important fndings for different behaviors of fractured rock masses, compared with testing intact rock samples under similar loading conditions.展开更多
Grouting is an effective method to improve the integrity and stability of fractured rocks that surround deep roadways.After years of research and practice,various theories and a complete set of grouting technologies f...Grouting is an effective method to improve the integrity and stability of fractured rocks that surround deep roadways.After years of research and practice,various theories and a complete set of grouting technologies for deep roadways with fractured rocks have been developed and are widely applied in Chinese coal mining production.This paper systematically summarizes and analyzes the research results concerning the theory,design,materials,processes,and equipment for the grouting and reinforcement of fractured rocks surrounding deep roadways.Specifically,in terms of grouting methods,pregrouting,groutingwhile-excavation,and postgrouting methods are explored;in terms of grouting theory,backfill grouting,compaction grouting,infiltration grouting,and fracture grouting theories are studied.In addition,this paper also studies grouting borehole arrangement,water-cement ratio,grouting pressure,grouting volume,grout diffusion radius,and other grouting parameters and their determination methods.On this basis,this paper explores the physical and mechanical properties of organic and organic-inorganic composite grouting materials,and assess grouting reinforcement quality testing methods and instruments.Taken as the field cases,the application of pregrouting in front of heading faces,groutingwhile-excavation,and postgrouting in the Kouzidong coal mine are then introduced,and the effects of the grouting reinforcements are evaluated.This paper proposes a development direction for grouting technology based on problems existing in the grouting reinforcement of fractured rocks surrounding deep roadways.展开更多
The continuum approach in fluid flow modeling is generally applied to porous geological media, but has limited applicability to fractured rocks. With the presence of a discrete fracture network relatively sparsely dis...The continuum approach in fluid flow modeling is generally applied to porous geological media, but has limited applicability to fractured rocks. With the presence of a discrete fracture network relatively sparsely distributed in the matrix, it may be difficult or erroneous to use a porous medium fluid flow model with continuum assumptions to describe the fluid flow in fractured rocks at small or even large field scales. A discrete fracture fluid flow approach incorporating a stochastic fracture network with numerical fluid flow simulations could have the capability of capturing fluid flow behaviors such as inhomogeneity and anisotropy while reflecting the changes of hydraulic features at different scales. Moreover, this approach can be implemented to estimate the size of the representative elementary volume (REV) in order to find out the scales at which a porous medium flow model could be applied, and then to determine the hydraulic conductivity tensor for fractured rocks. The following topics are focused on in this study: (a) conceptual discrete fracture fluid flow modeling incorporating a stochastic fracture network with numerical flow simulations; (b) estimation of REV and hydraulic conductivity tensor for fractured rocks utilizing a stochastic fracture network with numerical fluid flow simulations; (c) investigation of the effect of fracture orientation and density on the hydraulic conductivity and REV by implementing a stochastic fracture network with numerical fluid flow simulations, and (d) fluid flow conceptual models accounting for major and minor fractures in the 2 D or 3 D flow fields incorporating a stochastic fracture network with numerical fluid flow simulations.展开更多
Groundwater flow through fractured rocks has been recognized as an important issue in many geotechnical engineering practices.Several key aspects of fundamental mechanisms,numerical modeling and engineering applicatio...Groundwater flow through fractured rocks has been recognized as an important issue in many geotechnical engineering practices.Several key aspects of fundamental mechanisms,numerical modeling and engineering applications of flow in fractured rocks are discussed.First,the microscopic mechanisms of fluid flow in fractured rocks,especially under the complex conditions of non-Darcian flow,multiphase flow,rock dissolution,and particle transport,have been revealed through a com-bined effort of visualized experiments and theoretical analysis.Then,laboratory and field methods of characterizing hydraulic properties(e.g.intrinsic permeability,inertial permeability,and unsaturated flow parameters)of fractured rocks in different flow regimes have been proposed.Subsequently,high-performance numerical simulation approaches for large-scale modeling of groundwater flow in frac-tured rocks and aquifers have been developed.Numerical procedures for optimization design of seepage control systems in various settings have also been proposed.Mechanisms of coupled hydro-mechanical processes and control of flow-induced deformation have been discussed.Finally,three case studies are presented to illustrate the applications of the improved theoretical understanding,characterization methods,modeling approaches,and seepage and deformation control strategies to geotechnical engi-neering projects.展开更多
Anisotropy of the strength and deformation behaviors of fractured rock masses is a crucial issue for design and stability assessments of rock engineering structures, due mainly to the non-uniform and non- regular geom...Anisotropy of the strength and deformation behaviors of fractured rock masses is a crucial issue for design and stability assessments of rock engineering structures, due mainly to the non-uniform and non- regular geometries of the fracture systems. However, no adequate efforts have been made to study this issue due to the current practical impossibility of laboratory tests with samples of large volumes con- taining many fractures, and the difficulty for controlling reliable initial and boundary conditions for large-scale in situ tests. Therefore, a reliable numerical predicting approach for evaluating anisotropy of fractured rock masses is needed. The objective of this study is to systematically investigate anisotropy of strength and deformability of fractured rocks, which has not been conducted in the past, using a nu- merical modeling method. A series of realistic two-dimensional (2D) discrete fracture network (DFN) models were established based on site investigation data, which were then loaded in different directions, using the code UDEC of discrete element method (DEM), with changing confining pressures. Numerical results show that strength envelopes and elastic deformability parameters of tested numerical models are significantly anisotropic, and vary with changing axial loading and confining pressures. The results indicate that for design and safety assessments of rock engineering projects, the directional variations of strength and deformability of the fractured rock mass concerned must be treated properly with respect to the directions of in situ stresses. Traditional practice for simply positioning axial orientation of tunnels in association with principal stress directions only may not be adequate for safety requirements. Outstanding issues of the present study and su^zestions for future study are also oresented.展开更多
Characterizing the permeability variation in fractured rocks is important in various subsurface applications,but how the permeability evolves in the foundation rocks of high dams during operation remains poorly unders...Characterizing the permeability variation in fractured rocks is important in various subsurface applications,but how the permeability evolves in the foundation rocks of high dams during operation remains poorly understood.This permeability change is commonly evidenced by a continuous decrease in the amount of discharge(especially for dams on sediment-laden rivers),and can be attributed to fracture clogging and/or hydromechanical coupling.In this study,the permeability evolution of fractured rocks at a high arch dam foundation during operationwas evaluated by inverse modeling based on the field timeseries data of both pore pressure and discharge.A procedure combining orthogonal design,transient flow modeling,artificial neural network,and genetic algorithm was adopted to efficiently estimate the hydraulic conductivity values in each annual cycle after initial reservoir filling.The inverse results show that the permeability of the dam foundation rocks follows an exponential decay annually during operation(i.e.K/K0=0.97e^(-0.59t)+0.03),with good agreement between field observations and numerical simulations.The significance of the obtained permeability decay function was manifested by an assessment of the long-term seepage control performance and groundwater flow behaviors at the dam site.The proposed formula is also of merit for characterizing the permeability change in riverbed rocks induced by sediment transport and deposition.展开更多
In recent years, many useful experimental results on the cracking behaviors of fractured rocks have been obtainedvia uniaxial, biaxial, triaxial, and Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) tests. In this paper, the influ...In recent years, many useful experimental results on the cracking behaviors of fractured rocks have been obtainedvia uniaxial, biaxial, triaxial, and Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) tests. In this paper, the influence of theinclination angle of flaws, number of flaws, and patterns of cracks on the mechanical properties during the failureprocess under static loading and dynamic loading conditions is introduced and reviewed. The results show thatthe presence of cracks can decrease the strengths of precracked specimens, and the inclination angles, numbers,and crack patterns of pre-existing flaws can change the mechanical properties and cracking behaviors of precracked specimens. Under static loading, the closer the inclination angle is to 90, the greater the strength, theelastic modulus, and the peak strain of the precracked specimen. However, under dynamic loading, the influenceof the inclination angle varies, and the strength can increase or decrease, possibly in a V-shaped manner. Thischange can be determined by multiple factors, such as the loading path, the materials of the precracked specimen,and the number of pre-existing cracks. Under dynamic loading, the precracked specimen usually exhibits an Xshaped conjugated failure. Additionally, some problems in the study of the cracking behaviors of fractured rocksand related future research are described and presented, and corresponding suggestions and solutions are given.In particular, excavation in deep rock engineering, support of the rock surrounding the tunnel, and mining engineering have important scientific and engineering significance.展开更多
Grouting has been the most effective approach to mitigate water inrush disasters in underground engineering due to its ability to plug groundwater and enhance rock strength.Nevertheless,there is a lack of potent numer...Grouting has been the most effective approach to mitigate water inrush disasters in underground engineering due to its ability to plug groundwater and enhance rock strength.Nevertheless,there is a lack of potent numerical tools for assessing the grouting effectiveness in water-rich fractured strata.In this study,the hydro-mechanical coupled discontinuous deformation analysis(HM-DDA)is inaugurally extended to simulate the grouting process in a water-rich discrete fracture network(DFN),including the slurry migration,fracture dilation,water plugging in a seepage field,and joint reinforcement after coagulation.To validate the capabilities of the developed method,several numerical examples are conducted incorporating the Newtonian fluid and Bingham slurry.The simulation results closely align with the analytical solutions.Additionally,a set of compression tests is conducted on the fresh and grouted rock specimens to verify the reinforcement method and calibrate the rational properties of reinforced joints.An engineering-scale model based on a real water inrush case of the Yonglian tunnel in a water-rich fractured zone has been established.The model demonstrates the effectiveness of grouting reinforcement in mitigating water inrush disaster.The results indicate that increased grouting pressure greatly affects the regulation of water outflow from the tunnel face and the prevention of rock detachment face after excavation.展开更多
Particle-fluid two-phase flows in rock fractures and fracture networks play a pivotal role in determining the efficiency and effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing operations,a vital component in unconventional oil and...Particle-fluid two-phase flows in rock fractures and fracture networks play a pivotal role in determining the efficiency and effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing operations,a vital component in unconventional oil and gas extraction.Central to this phenomenon is the transport of proppants,tiny solid particles injected into the fractures to prevent them from closing once the injection is stopped.However,effective transport and deposition of proppant is critical in keeping fracture pathways open,especially in lowpermeability reservoirs.This review explores,then quantifies,the important role of fluid inertia and turbulent flows in governing proppant transport.While traditional models predominantly assume and then characterise flow as laminar,this may not accurately capture the complexities inherent in realworld hydraulic fracturing and proppant emplacement.Recent investigations highlight the paramount importance of fluid inertia,especially at the high Reynolds numbers typically associated with fracturing operations.Fluid inertia,often overlooked,introduces crucial forces that influence particle settling velocities,particle-particle interactions,and the eventual deposition of proppants within fractures.With their inherent eddies and transient and chaotic nature,turbulent flows introduce additional complexities to proppant transport,crucially altering proppant settling velocities and dispersion patterns.The following comprehensive survey of experimental,numerical,and analytical studies elucidates controls on the intricate dynamics of proppant transport under fluid inertia and turbulence-towards providing a holistic understanding of the current state-of-the-art,guiding future research directions,and optimising hydraulic fracturing practices.展开更多
The creep phenomenon of inelastic deformation of surrounding rock may occur under the action of deepgeological stress for a long period of time,potentially resulting in large-scale deformations or eveninstability fail...The creep phenomenon of inelastic deformation of surrounding rock may occur under the action of deepgeological stress for a long period of time,potentially resulting in large-scale deformations or eveninstability failure of the underground engineering.Accurate characterization of the creep behavior of thesurrounding rock is essential for evaluating the long-term stability and safety of high-level radioactivewaste(HLW)disposal repositories.Although the laboratory creep tests of brittle undamaged rocks,suchas granite,have been extensively performed,the creep characteristics of fractured surrounding rockunder the multi-field coupling environment still require attention.In this study,a series of creep experimentswas conducted on Beishan granite,which was identified as the optimal candidate surroundingrock for the disposal repository in China.The effects of various factors,including inclination angle offractures,stress conditions,temperatures,and water content,were investigated.The experimental resultsshow that the axial total strain increases linearly with increasing stress level,while the lateral totalstrain,axial and lateral creep strain rates increase exponentially.The failure time of saturated specimensfractured at 45°and 60°is approximately 1.05‰and 0.84‰of that of dry specimens,respectively.Theeffect of temperature,ranging from room temperature to 120℃,is minimal,compared to the substantialvariations in strain and creep rates caused by stress and water content.The creep failure of specimensfractured at 30°is dominated by rock material failure,whereas the creep failure of specimens fractured at60°is dominated by pre-existing fracture slip.At a 45°fracture angle,a composite failure mechanism isobserved that includes both rock material failure and pre-existing fracture slip.展开更多
Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)processes in fractured rock are playing a crucial role in geoscience and geoengineering applications.Diverse and conceptually distinct approaches have emerged over the past decades ...Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)processes in fractured rock are playing a crucial role in geoscience and geoengineering applications.Diverse and conceptually distinct approaches have emerged over the past decades in both continuum and discontinuum perspectives leading to significant progress in their comprehending and modeling.This review paper offers an integrated perspective on existing modeling methodologies providing guidance for model selection based on the initial and boundary conditions.By comparing various models,one can better assess the uncertainties in predictions,particularly those related to the conceptual models.The review explores how these methodologies have significantlyenhanced the fundamental understanding of how fractures respond to fluid injection and production,and improved predictive capabilities pertaining to coupled processes within fractured systems.It emphasizes the importance of utilizing advanced computational technologies and thoroughly considering fundamental theories and principles established through past experimental evidence and practical experience.The selection and calibration of model parameters should be based on typical ranges and applied to the specificconditions of applications.The challenges arising from inherent heterogeneity and uncertainties,nonlinear THM coupled processes,scale dependence,and computational limitations in representing fieldscale fractures are discussed.Realizing potential advances on computational capacity calls for methodical conceptualization,mathematical modeling,selection of numerical solution strategies,implementation,and calibration to foster simulation outcomes that intricately reflectthe nuanced complexities of geological phenomena.Future research efforts should focus on innovative approaches to tackle the hurdles and advance the state-of-the-art in this critical fieldof study.展开更多
The fractured rock mass inherently exhibits uncertainty due to the presence of pre-existing discontinuities.In this study,a particle-based model incorporating the discrete fracture network(DFN)to elucidate the dynamic...The fractured rock mass inherently exhibits uncertainty due to the presence of pre-existing discontinuities.In this study,a particle-based model incorporating the discrete fracture network(DFN)to elucidate the dynamic tensile responses and asso-ciated uncertainty of rock mass.At first,the particle-based model was used synthesize the intact rock and split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB)system,while the fractures were represented using the smooth fracture model(SJM).Subsequently,the samples of the fractured rock mass with varying joint geometrical configurations were conducted the dynamic tensile test using the numerical SHPB system.The simulated results demonstrate a gradual decrease in dynamic tensile strength(TS)with increasing fracture intensity and fracture length,which can be effectively described by nonlinear exponential func-tions.Additionally,the fracture orientation significantly influences the dynamic TS,however,the anisotropic characteristics gradually diminish as the deviation angle approaches 90°.Furthermore,as fracture intensity and fracture length increase,the dynamic TS variability also rises steadily.However,no noticeable pattern is seen when considering cases with varying fracture orientations.When subjected to SHPB loading,the fractured rock mass primarily exhibits a combined tensile-shear failure mode,contrasting with the pure tensile failure mode exhibited by the intact rock.These findings contribute signifi-cantly to comprehending the dynamic tensile responses of the fractured rock mass and can further enhance the stability analysis of in-situ rock engineering.展开更多
The discrete version of solute transport equation for porous matrix depicted with the continuum model and the discrete fractured-network model are derived for fractured rocks with the Finite Volume Method (FVM). The...The discrete version of solute transport equation for porous matrix depicted with the continuum model and the discrete fractured-network model are derived for fractured rocks with the Finite Volume Method (FVM). The two models are coupled according to the continuity condition of hydraulic head and concentration and the conservation of flow flux and mass flux in the contact plane between porous matrix and fractures. Numerical results show that the simulated concentration of the coupling model based on the FVM agrees well with that from analytical solution, which demonstrates that the coupling model can effectively be applied to the simulation of solute transport in fractured rocks.展开更多
Stability analysis of underground constructions requires a model study of rock masses’ long-term performance. Creep tests under different stress conditions was conducted on intact granite and granite samples fracture...Stability analysis of underground constructions requires a model study of rock masses’ long-term performance. Creep tests under different stress conditions was conducted on intact granite and granite samples fractured at 30° and 45° angles. The experimental results indicate that the steady creep strain rates of intact and fractured rock present an exponential increase trend with the increase of stress level. A nonlinear creep model is developed based on the experimental results, in which the initial damage caused by fracture together with the damage caused by constant load have been taken into consideration. The fitting analysis results indicated that the model proposed is more accurate at identifying the full creep regions in fractured granite, especially the accelerated stage of creep deformation. The least-square fit error of the proposed creep model is significantly lower than that of Nishihara model by almost an order of magnitude. An analysis of the effects of elastic modulus, viscosity coefficient, and damage factors on fractured rock strain rate and creep strain is conducted. If no consideration is given to the effects of the damage, the proposed nonlinear creep model can degenerate into to the classical Nishihara model.展开更多
As a calculation method based on the Galerkin variation,the numerical manifold method(NMM)adopts a double covering system,which can easily deal with discontinuous deformation problems and has a high calculation accura...As a calculation method based on the Galerkin variation,the numerical manifold method(NMM)adopts a double covering system,which can easily deal with discontinuous deformation problems and has a high calculation accuracy.Aiming at the thermo-mechanical(TM)coupling problem of fractured rock masses,this study uses the NMM to simulate the processes of crack initiation and propagation in a rock mass under the influence of temperature field,deduces related system equations,and proposes a penalty function method to deal with boundary conditions.Numerical examples are employed to confirm the effectiveness and high accuracy of this method.By the thermal stress analysis of a thick-walled cylinder(TWC),the simulation of cracking in the TWC under heating and cooling conditions,and the simulation of thermal cracking of the SwedishÄspöPillar Stability Experiment(APSE)rock column,the thermal stress,and TM coupling are obtained.The numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the test data and other numerical results,thus verifying the effectiveness of the NMM in dealing with thermal stress and crack propagation problems of fractured rock masses.展开更多
Complexities in mechanical behaviours of rock masses mainly stem from inherent discontinuities,which calls for advanced bolt-grouting techniques for stability enhancement.Understanding the mechanical properties of bol...Complexities in mechanical behaviours of rock masses mainly stem from inherent discontinuities,which calls for advanced bolt-grouting techniques for stability enhancement.Understanding the mechanical properties of bolt-grouted fractured rock mass(BGFR)and developing accurate prediction methods are crucial to optimize the BGFR support strategies.This paper establishes a new elastoplastic(E-P)model based on the orthotropic and the Mohr-Coulomb(M-C)plastic-yielding criteria.The elastic parameters of the model were derived through a meso-mechanical analysis of composite materials mechanics(CMM).Laboratory BGFR specimens were prepared and uniaxial compression test and variable-angle shear test considering different bolt arrangements were carried out to obtain the mechanical parameters of the specimens.Results showed that the anisotropy of BGFR mainly depends on the relative volume content of each component material in a certain direction.Moreover,the mechanical parameters deduced from the theory of composite materials which consider the short fibre effect are shown to be in good agreement with those determined by laboratory experiments,and the variation rules maintained good consistency.Last,a case study of a real tunnel project is provided to highlight the effectiveness,validity and robustness of the developed E-P model in prediction of stresses and deformations.展开更多
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52074312 and 52211530097)CNPC Science and Technology Innovation Foundation(Grant No.2021DQ02-0505).
文摘Wellbore breakout is one of the critical issues in drilling due to the fact that the related problems result in additional costs and impact the drilling scheme severely.However,the majority of such wellbore breakout analyses were based on continuum mechanics.In addition to failure in intact rocks,wellbore breakouts can also be initiated along natural discontinuities,e.g.weak planes and fractures.Furthermore,the conventional models in wellbore breakouts with uniform distribution fractures could not reflect the real drilling situation.This paper presents a fully coupled hydro-mechanical model of the SB-X well in the Tarim Basin,China for evaluating wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks under anisotropic stress states using the distinct element method(DEM)and the discrete fracture network(DFN).The developed model was validated against caliper log measurement,and its stability study was carried out by stress and displacement analyses.A parametric study was performed to investigate the effects of the characteristics of fracture distribution(orientation and length)on borehole stability by sensitivity studies.Simulation results demonstrate that the increase of the standard deviation of orientation when the fracture direction aligns parallel or perpendicular to the principal stress direction aggravates borehole instability.Moreover,an elevation in the average fracture length causes the borehole failure to change from the direction of the minimum in-situ horizontal principal stress(i.e.the direction of wellbore breakouts)towards alternative directions,ultimately leading to the whole wellbore failure.These findings provide theoretical insights for predicting wellbore breakouts in heavily fractured rocks.
基金financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52074312 and 52211530097)CNPC Science and Technology Innovation Foundation(Grant No.2021DQ02-0505).
文摘Borehole instability in naturally fractured rocks poses significant challenges to drilling.Drilling mud invades the surrounding formations through natural fractures under the difference between the wellbore pressure(P w)and pore pressure(P p)during drilling,which may cause wellbore instability.However,the weakening of fracture strength due to mud intrusion is not considered in most existing borehole stability analyses,which may yield significant errors and misleading predictions.In addition,only limited factors were analyzed,and the fracture distribution was oversimplified.In this paper,the impacts of mud intrusion and associated fracture strength weakening on borehole stability in fractured rocks under both isotropic and anisotropic stress states are investigated using a coupled DEM(distinct element method)and DFN(discrete fracture network)method.It provides estimates of the effect of fracture strength weakening,wellbore pressure,in situ stresses,and sealing efficiency on borehole stability.The results show that mud intrusion and weakening of fracture strength can damage the borehole.This is demonstrated by the large displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on natural fractures,and the generation of fracture at shear limit.Mud intrusion reduces the shear strength of the fracture surface and leads to shear failure,which explains that the increase in mud weight may worsen borehole stability during overbalanced drilling in fractured formations.A higher in situ stress anisotropy exerts a significant influence on the mechanism of shear failure distribution around the wellbore.Moreover,the effect of sealing natural fractures on maintaining borehole stability is verified in this study,and the increase in sealing efficiency reduces the radial invasion distance of drilling mud.This study provides a directly quantitative prediction method of borehole instability in naturally fractured formations,which can consider the discrete fracture network,mud intrusion,and associated weakening of fracture strength.The information provided by the numerical approach(e.g.displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on fracture,and fracture at shear limit)is helpful for managing wellbore stability and designing wellbore-strengthening operations.
基金financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51925906 and 51988101)the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2018YFC0407001)。
文摘Modeling unsaturated flow in fractured rocks is essential in various subsurface engineering applications,but it remains a great challenge due to the difficulties in determining the unsaturated hydraulic properties of rocks that contain various scales of fractures.It is generally accepted that the van Genuchten(VG)model can be applied to fractured rocks,provided that the hydraulic parameters could be representatively determined.In this study,scaling relationships between the VG parameters(a and n)and hydraulic conductivity(K)across 8 orders of magnitude,from 10^(-10)m/s to 10^(-2)m/s,were proposed by statistical analysis of data obtained from 1416 soil samples.The correlations were then generalized to predict the upper bounds of VG parameters for fractured rocks from the K data that could be obtained more easily under field conditions,and were validated against a limited set of data from cores,fractures and fractured rocks available in the literature.The upper bound estimates significantly narrow the ranges of VG parameters,and the representative values of a and n for fractured rocks at the field scale can then be determined with confidence by inverse modeling using groundwater observations in saturated zones.The proposed methodology was applied to saturated-unsaturated flow modeling in the right-bank slope at the Baihetan dam site with a continuum approach,showing that most of the flow behaviors in fractured rocks in this complex hydrogeological condition could be properly reproduced.The proposed method overcomes difficulties in suction measurement in fractured rocks with strong heterogeneity,and provides a feasible way for modeling of saturated-unsaturated flow in fractured rocks with acceptable engineering accuracy.
基金the financial support from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)(200-2014-59613)for conducting this research
文摘Prediction of radon flux from the fractured zone of a propagating cave mine is basically associated with uncertainty and complexity. For instance, there is restricted access to these zones for field measure- ments, and it is quite difficult to replicate the complex nature of both natural and induced fractures in these zones in laboratory studies. Hence, a technique for predicting radon flux from a fractured rock using a discrete fracture network (DFN) model is developed to address these difficulties. This model quantifies the contribution of fractures to the total radon flux, and estimates the fracture density from a measured radon flux considering the effects of advection, diffusion, as well as radon generation and decay. Radon generation and decay are classified as reaction processes. Therefore, the equation solved is termed as the advection-diffusion-reaction equation (ADRE). Peclet number (Pe), a conventional dimensionless parameter that indicates the ratio of mass transport by advection to diffusion, is used to classify the transport regimes. The results show that the proposed model effectively predicts radon flux from a fractured rock. An increase in fracture density for a rock sample with uniformly distributed radon generation rate can elevate radon flux significantly compared with another rock sample with an equivalent increase in radon generation rate. In addition to Pe, two other independent dimensionless parameters (derived for radon transport through fractures) significantly affect radon dimensionless flux. Findings provide insight into radon transport through fractured rocks and can be used to improve radon control measures for proactive mitigation.
文摘Knowledge of the strength and deformability of fractured rocks is important for design, construction and stability evaluation of slopes, foundations and underground excavations in civil and mining engineering. However, laboratory tests of intact rock samples cannot provide information about the strength and deformation behaviors of fractured rock masses that include many fractures of varying sizes, orientations and locations. On the other hand, large-scale in situ tests of fractured rock masses are economically costly and often not practical in reality at present. Therefore, numerical modeling becomes necessary. Numerical predicting using discrete element methods(DEM) is a suitable approach for such modeling because of their advantages of explicit representations of both fractures system geometry and their constitutive behaviors of fractures, besides that of intact rock matrix. In this study, to generically determine the compressive strength of fractured rock masses, a series of numerical experiments were performed on two-dimensional discrete fracture network models based on the realistic geometrical and mechanical data of fracture systems from feld mapping. We used the UDEC code and a numerical servo-controlled program for controlling the progressive compressive loading process to avoid sudden violent failure of the models. The two loading conditions applied are similar to the standard laboratory testing for intact rock samples in order to check possible differences caused by such loading conditions. Numerical results show that the strength of fractured rocks increases with the increasing confning pressure, and that deformation behavior of fractured rocks follows elasto-plastic model with a trend of strain hardening. The stresses and strains obtained from these numerical experiments were used to ft the well-known Mohr-Coulomb(MC) and Hoek-Brown(H-B) failure criteria, represented by equivalent material properties defning these two criteria. The results show that both criteria can provide fair estimates of the compressive strengths for all tested numerical models. Parameters of the elastic deformability of fractured models during elastic deformation stages were also evaluated, and represented as equivalent Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio as functions of lateral confning pressure. It is the frst time that such systematic numerical predicting for strength of fractured rocks was performed considering different loading conditions, with important fndings for different behaviors of fractured rock masses, compared with testing intact rock samples under similar loading conditions.
基金Innovation and Entrepreneurship Funds of Tiandi Science&Technology Co.Ltd.,Grant/Award Number:2022-2-TD-MS013。
文摘Grouting is an effective method to improve the integrity and stability of fractured rocks that surround deep roadways.After years of research and practice,various theories and a complete set of grouting technologies for deep roadways with fractured rocks have been developed and are widely applied in Chinese coal mining production.This paper systematically summarizes and analyzes the research results concerning the theory,design,materials,processes,and equipment for the grouting and reinforcement of fractured rocks surrounding deep roadways.Specifically,in terms of grouting methods,pregrouting,groutingwhile-excavation,and postgrouting methods are explored;in terms of grouting theory,backfill grouting,compaction grouting,infiltration grouting,and fracture grouting theories are studied.In addition,this paper also studies grouting borehole arrangement,water-cement ratio,grouting pressure,grouting volume,grout diffusion radius,and other grouting parameters and their determination methods.On this basis,this paper explores the physical and mechanical properties of organic and organic-inorganic composite grouting materials,and assess grouting reinforcement quality testing methods and instruments.Taken as the field cases,the application of pregrouting in front of heading faces,groutingwhile-excavation,and postgrouting in the Kouzidong coal mine are then introduced,and the effects of the grouting reinforcements are evaluated.This paper proposes a development direction for grouting technology based on problems existing in the grouting reinforcement of fractured rocks surrounding deep roadways.
基金ChinaCommitteeofEducation theUniver sityofArizonaandtheMetropolitanWaterDistrictofSouthernCaliforni a.
文摘The continuum approach in fluid flow modeling is generally applied to porous geological media, but has limited applicability to fractured rocks. With the presence of a discrete fracture network relatively sparsely distributed in the matrix, it may be difficult or erroneous to use a porous medium fluid flow model with continuum assumptions to describe the fluid flow in fractured rocks at small or even large field scales. A discrete fracture fluid flow approach incorporating a stochastic fracture network with numerical fluid flow simulations could have the capability of capturing fluid flow behaviors such as inhomogeneity and anisotropy while reflecting the changes of hydraulic features at different scales. Moreover, this approach can be implemented to estimate the size of the representative elementary volume (REV) in order to find out the scales at which a porous medium flow model could be applied, and then to determine the hydraulic conductivity tensor for fractured rocks. The following topics are focused on in this study: (a) conceptual discrete fracture fluid flow modeling incorporating a stochastic fracture network with numerical flow simulations; (b) estimation of REV and hydraulic conductivity tensor for fractured rocks utilizing a stochastic fracture network with numerical fluid flow simulations; (c) investigation of the effect of fracture orientation and density on the hydraulic conductivity and REV by implementing a stochastic fracture network with numerical fluid flow simulations, and (d) fluid flow conceptual models accounting for major and minor fractures in the 2 D or 3 D flow fields incorporating a stochastic fracture network with numerical fluid flow simulations.
基金The financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51988101,51925906 and 52122905)are gratefully acknowledged.
文摘Groundwater flow through fractured rocks has been recognized as an important issue in many geotechnical engineering practices.Several key aspects of fundamental mechanisms,numerical modeling and engineering applications of flow in fractured rocks are discussed.First,the microscopic mechanisms of fluid flow in fractured rocks,especially under the complex conditions of non-Darcian flow,multiphase flow,rock dissolution,and particle transport,have been revealed through a com-bined effort of visualized experiments and theoretical analysis.Then,laboratory and field methods of characterizing hydraulic properties(e.g.intrinsic permeability,inertial permeability,and unsaturated flow parameters)of fractured rocks in different flow regimes have been proposed.Subsequently,high-performance numerical simulation approaches for large-scale modeling of groundwater flow in frac-tured rocks and aquifers have been developed.Numerical procedures for optimization design of seepage control systems in various settings have also been proposed.Mechanisms of coupled hydro-mechanical processes and control of flow-induced deformation have been discussed.Finally,three case studies are presented to illustrate the applications of the improved theoretical understanding,characterization methods,modeling approaches,and seepage and deformation control strategies to geotechnical engi-neering projects.
文摘Anisotropy of the strength and deformation behaviors of fractured rock masses is a crucial issue for design and stability assessments of rock engineering structures, due mainly to the non-uniform and non- regular geometries of the fracture systems. However, no adequate efforts have been made to study this issue due to the current practical impossibility of laboratory tests with samples of large volumes con- taining many fractures, and the difficulty for controlling reliable initial and boundary conditions for large-scale in situ tests. Therefore, a reliable numerical predicting approach for evaluating anisotropy of fractured rock masses is needed. The objective of this study is to systematically investigate anisotropy of strength and deformability of fractured rocks, which has not been conducted in the past, using a nu- merical modeling method. A series of realistic two-dimensional (2D) discrete fracture network (DFN) models were established based on site investigation data, which were then loaded in different directions, using the code UDEC of discrete element method (DEM), with changing confining pressures. Numerical results show that strength envelopes and elastic deformability parameters of tested numerical models are significantly anisotropic, and vary with changing axial loading and confining pressures. The results indicate that for design and safety assessments of rock engineering projects, the directional variations of strength and deformability of the fractured rock mass concerned must be treated properly with respect to the directions of in situ stresses. Traditional practice for simply positioning axial orientation of tunnels in association with principal stress directions only may not be adequate for safety requirements. Outstanding issues of the present study and su^zestions for future study are also oresented.
基金the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2018YFC0407001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51925906)the Research Program of China Three Gorges Corporation(Grant No.XLD/2119)are gratefully acknowledged.
文摘Characterizing the permeability variation in fractured rocks is important in various subsurface applications,but how the permeability evolves in the foundation rocks of high dams during operation remains poorly understood.This permeability change is commonly evidenced by a continuous decrease in the amount of discharge(especially for dams on sediment-laden rivers),and can be attributed to fracture clogging and/or hydromechanical coupling.In this study,the permeability evolution of fractured rocks at a high arch dam foundation during operationwas evaluated by inverse modeling based on the field timeseries data of both pore pressure and discharge.A procedure combining orthogonal design,transient flow modeling,artificial neural network,and genetic algorithm was adopted to efficiently estimate the hydraulic conductivity values in each annual cycle after initial reservoir filling.The inverse results show that the permeability of the dam foundation rocks follows an exponential decay annually during operation(i.e.K/K0=0.97e^(-0.59t)+0.03),with good agreement between field observations and numerical simulations.The significance of the obtained permeability decay function was manifested by an assessment of the long-term seepage control performance and groundwater flow behaviors at the dam site.The proposed formula is also of merit for characterizing the permeability change in riverbed rocks induced by sediment transport and deposition.
文摘In recent years, many useful experimental results on the cracking behaviors of fractured rocks have been obtainedvia uniaxial, biaxial, triaxial, and Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) tests. In this paper, the influence of theinclination angle of flaws, number of flaws, and patterns of cracks on the mechanical properties during the failureprocess under static loading and dynamic loading conditions is introduced and reviewed. The results show thatthe presence of cracks can decrease the strengths of precracked specimens, and the inclination angles, numbers,and crack patterns of pre-existing flaws can change the mechanical properties and cracking behaviors of precracked specimens. Under static loading, the closer the inclination angle is to 90, the greater the strength, theelastic modulus, and the peak strain of the precracked specimen. However, under dynamic loading, the influenceof the inclination angle varies, and the strength can increase or decrease, possibly in a V-shaped manner. Thischange can be determined by multiple factors, such as the loading path, the materials of the precracked specimen,and the number of pre-existing cracks. Under dynamic loading, the precracked specimen usually exhibits an Xshaped conjugated failure. Additionally, some problems in the study of the cracking behaviors of fractured rocksand related future research are described and presented, and corresponding suggestions and solutions are given.In particular, excavation in deep rock engineering, support of the rock surrounding the tunnel, and mining engineering have important scientific and engineering significance.
基金supported by the China Scholarship Council(CSC,Grant No.202108050072)JSPS KAKENHI(Grant No.JP19KK0121)。
文摘Grouting has been the most effective approach to mitigate water inrush disasters in underground engineering due to its ability to plug groundwater and enhance rock strength.Nevertheless,there is a lack of potent numerical tools for assessing the grouting effectiveness in water-rich fractured strata.In this study,the hydro-mechanical coupled discontinuous deformation analysis(HM-DDA)is inaugurally extended to simulate the grouting process in a water-rich discrete fracture network(DFN),including the slurry migration,fracture dilation,water plugging in a seepage field,and joint reinforcement after coagulation.To validate the capabilities of the developed method,several numerical examples are conducted incorporating the Newtonian fluid and Bingham slurry.The simulation results closely align with the analytical solutions.Additionally,a set of compression tests is conducted on the fresh and grouted rock specimens to verify the reinforcement method and calibrate the rational properties of reinforced joints.An engineering-scale model based on a real water inrush case of the Yonglian tunnel in a water-rich fractured zone has been established.The model demonstrates the effectiveness of grouting reinforcement in mitigating water inrush disaster.The results indicate that increased grouting pressure greatly affects the regulation of water outflow from the tunnel face and the prevention of rock detachment face after excavation.
基金the Australian Research Council Discovery Project(ARC DP 220100851)scheme and would acknowledge that.
文摘Particle-fluid two-phase flows in rock fractures and fracture networks play a pivotal role in determining the efficiency and effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing operations,a vital component in unconventional oil and gas extraction.Central to this phenomenon is the transport of proppants,tiny solid particles injected into the fractures to prevent them from closing once the injection is stopped.However,effective transport and deposition of proppant is critical in keeping fracture pathways open,especially in lowpermeability reservoirs.This review explores,then quantifies,the important role of fluid inertia and turbulent flows in governing proppant transport.While traditional models predominantly assume and then characterise flow as laminar,this may not accurately capture the complexities inherent in realworld hydraulic fracturing and proppant emplacement.Recent investigations highlight the paramount importance of fluid inertia,especially at the high Reynolds numbers typically associated with fracturing operations.Fluid inertia,often overlooked,introduces crucial forces that influence particle settling velocities,particle-particle interactions,and the eventual deposition of proppants within fractures.With their inherent eddies and transient and chaotic nature,turbulent flows introduce additional complexities to proppant transport,crucially altering proppant settling velocities and dispersion patterns.The following comprehensive survey of experimental,numerical,and analytical studies elucidates controls on the intricate dynamics of proppant transport under fluid inertia and turbulence-towards providing a holistic understanding of the current state-of-the-art,guiding future research directions,and optimising hydraulic fracturing practices.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42307258)the China Atomic Energy Authority(CAEA)through the Geological Disposal Program,and the Science and Technology Department of Sichuan Province Project,China(Grant No.2023ZYD0154).
文摘The creep phenomenon of inelastic deformation of surrounding rock may occur under the action of deepgeological stress for a long period of time,potentially resulting in large-scale deformations or eveninstability failure of the underground engineering.Accurate characterization of the creep behavior of thesurrounding rock is essential for evaluating the long-term stability and safety of high-level radioactivewaste(HLW)disposal repositories.Although the laboratory creep tests of brittle undamaged rocks,suchas granite,have been extensively performed,the creep characteristics of fractured surrounding rockunder the multi-field coupling environment still require attention.In this study,a series of creep experimentswas conducted on Beishan granite,which was identified as the optimal candidate surroundingrock for the disposal repository in China.The effects of various factors,including inclination angle offractures,stress conditions,temperatures,and water content,were investigated.The experimental resultsshow that the axial total strain increases linearly with increasing stress level,while the lateral totalstrain,axial and lateral creep strain rates increase exponentially.The failure time of saturated specimensfractured at 45°and 60°is approximately 1.05‰and 0.84‰of that of dry specimens,respectively.Theeffect of temperature,ranging from room temperature to 120℃,is minimal,compared to the substantialvariations in strain and creep rates caused by stress and water content.The creep failure of specimensfractured at 30°is dominated by rock material failure,whereas the creep failure of specimens fractured at60°is dominated by pre-existing fracture slip.At a 45°fracture angle,a composite failure mechanism isobserved that includes both rock material failure and pre-existing fracture slip.
基金funding from the European Research Council(ERC)under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program through the Starting Grant GEoREST(grant agreement No.801809)support by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by"European Union Next Generation EU/PRTR"through the‘Ramón y Cajal’fellowship(reference RYC2021-032780-I)+9 种基金funding by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by“ERDF,EU”through the‘HydroPoreII’project(reference PID2022-137652NBC44)support by the Institute for Korea Spent Nuclear Fuel(iKSNF)National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korea government(Ministry of Science and ICT,MSIT)(2021M2E1A1085196)support by the Swedish Radiation Safety(SSM),Swedish Transport Administration(Trafikverket),Swedish Rock Engineering Foundation(BeFo),and Nordic Energy Research(Grant 187658)supported by the US Department of Energy(DOE),the Officeof Nuclear Energy,Spent Fuel and Waste Science and Technology Campaign,and by the US Department of Energy(DOE),the Office of Basic Energy Sciences,Chemical Sciences,Geosciences,and Biosciences Division both under Contract Number DE-AC02-05CH11231 with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratorysupport from the US National Science Foundation(grant CMMI-2239630)funding from the European Research Council(ERC)under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme(grant agreement No.101002507)the UK Natural Environment Research Council(NERC)for funding SeisGreen Project(Grant No.NE/W009293/1)which supported this workthe Royal Society UK for supporting this research through fellowship UF160443IMEDEA is an accredited"Maria de Maeztu Excellence Unit"(Grant CEX2021-001198,funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).
文摘Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)processes in fractured rock are playing a crucial role in geoscience and geoengineering applications.Diverse and conceptually distinct approaches have emerged over the past decades in both continuum and discontinuum perspectives leading to significant progress in their comprehending and modeling.This review paper offers an integrated perspective on existing modeling methodologies providing guidance for model selection based on the initial and boundary conditions.By comparing various models,one can better assess the uncertainties in predictions,particularly those related to the conceptual models.The review explores how these methodologies have significantlyenhanced the fundamental understanding of how fractures respond to fluid injection and production,and improved predictive capabilities pertaining to coupled processes within fractured systems.It emphasizes the importance of utilizing advanced computational technologies and thoroughly considering fundamental theories and principles established through past experimental evidence and practical experience.The selection and calibration of model parameters should be based on typical ranges and applied to the specificconditions of applications.The challenges arising from inherent heterogeneity and uncertainties,nonlinear THM coupled processes,scale dependence,and computational limitations in representing fieldscale fractures are discussed.Realizing potential advances on computational capacity calls for methodical conceptualization,mathematical modeling,selection of numerical solution strategies,implementation,and calibration to foster simulation outcomes that intricately reflectthe nuanced complexities of geological phenomena.Future research efforts should focus on innovative approaches to tackle the hurdles and advance the state-of-the-art in this critical fieldof study.
基金supported by the Program for Guangdong Introducing Innovative and Entrepreneurial Teams(2019ZT08G315)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52304091,52004162 and 52274089)+1 种基金the Research Project of Education Department of Hunan Province(22B0427)the China postdoctoral science foundation(2023M741047).
文摘The fractured rock mass inherently exhibits uncertainty due to the presence of pre-existing discontinuities.In this study,a particle-based model incorporating the discrete fracture network(DFN)to elucidate the dynamic tensile responses and asso-ciated uncertainty of rock mass.At first,the particle-based model was used synthesize the intact rock and split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB)system,while the fractures were represented using the smooth fracture model(SJM).Subsequently,the samples of the fractured rock mass with varying joint geometrical configurations were conducted the dynamic tensile test using the numerical SHPB system.The simulated results demonstrate a gradual decrease in dynamic tensile strength(TS)with increasing fracture intensity and fracture length,which can be effectively described by nonlinear exponential func-tions.Additionally,the fracture orientation significantly influences the dynamic TS,however,the anisotropic characteristics gradually diminish as the deviation angle approaches 90°.Furthermore,as fracture intensity and fracture length increase,the dynamic TS variability also rises steadily.However,no noticeable pattern is seen when considering cases with varying fracture orientations.When subjected to SHPB loading,the fractured rock mass primarily exhibits a combined tensile-shear failure mode,contrasting with the pure tensile failure mode exhibited by the intact rock.These findings contribute signifi-cantly to comprehending the dynamic tensile responses of the fractured rock mass and can further enhance the stability analysis of in-situ rock engineering.
基金supported by the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (Grant No.IRT0717)the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars,State Education Ministrysupported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hohai University (Grant No.2008433111)
文摘The discrete version of solute transport equation for porous matrix depicted with the continuum model and the discrete fractured-network model are derived for fractured rocks with the Finite Volume Method (FVM). The two models are coupled according to the continuity condition of hydraulic head and concentration and the conservation of flow flux and mass flux in the contact plane between porous matrix and fractures. Numerical results show that the simulated concentration of the coupling model based on the FVM agrees well with that from analytical solution, which demonstrates that the coupling model can effectively be applied to the simulation of solute transport in fractured rocks.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42307258)the technological research projects in Sichuan Province(No.2022YFSY0007)the China Atomic Energy Authority(CAEA)through the Geological Disposal Program.
文摘Stability analysis of underground constructions requires a model study of rock masses’ long-term performance. Creep tests under different stress conditions was conducted on intact granite and granite samples fractured at 30° and 45° angles. The experimental results indicate that the steady creep strain rates of intact and fractured rock present an exponential increase trend with the increase of stress level. A nonlinear creep model is developed based on the experimental results, in which the initial damage caused by fracture together with the damage caused by constant load have been taken into consideration. The fitting analysis results indicated that the model proposed is more accurate at identifying the full creep regions in fractured granite, especially the accelerated stage of creep deformation. The least-square fit error of the proposed creep model is significantly lower than that of Nishihara model by almost an order of magnitude. An analysis of the effects of elastic modulus, viscosity coefficient, and damage factors on fractured rock strain rate and creep strain is conducted. If no consideration is given to the effects of the damage, the proposed nonlinear creep model can degenerate into to the classical Nishihara model.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42277165)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China University of Geosciences(Wuhan)(Grant No.CUGCJ1821)the National Overseas Study Fund(Grant No.202106410040).
文摘As a calculation method based on the Galerkin variation,the numerical manifold method(NMM)adopts a double covering system,which can easily deal with discontinuous deformation problems and has a high calculation accuracy.Aiming at the thermo-mechanical(TM)coupling problem of fractured rock masses,this study uses the NMM to simulate the processes of crack initiation and propagation in a rock mass under the influence of temperature field,deduces related system equations,and proposes a penalty function method to deal with boundary conditions.Numerical examples are employed to confirm the effectiveness and high accuracy of this method.By the thermal stress analysis of a thick-walled cylinder(TWC),the simulation of cracking in the TWC under heating and cooling conditions,and the simulation of thermal cracking of the SwedishÄspöPillar Stability Experiment(APSE)rock column,the thermal stress,and TM coupling are obtained.The numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the test data and other numerical results,thus verifying the effectiveness of the NMM in dealing with thermal stress and crack propagation problems of fractured rock masses.
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Plan(No.2022YFC3203200)Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province(No.2021ZT09G087)the National Natural Science Foundation Project of China(No.42167025).
文摘Complexities in mechanical behaviours of rock masses mainly stem from inherent discontinuities,which calls for advanced bolt-grouting techniques for stability enhancement.Understanding the mechanical properties of bolt-grouted fractured rock mass(BGFR)and developing accurate prediction methods are crucial to optimize the BGFR support strategies.This paper establishes a new elastoplastic(E-P)model based on the orthotropic and the Mohr-Coulomb(M-C)plastic-yielding criteria.The elastic parameters of the model were derived through a meso-mechanical analysis of composite materials mechanics(CMM).Laboratory BGFR specimens were prepared and uniaxial compression test and variable-angle shear test considering different bolt arrangements were carried out to obtain the mechanical parameters of the specimens.Results showed that the anisotropy of BGFR mainly depends on the relative volume content of each component material in a certain direction.Moreover,the mechanical parameters deduced from the theory of composite materials which consider the short fibre effect are shown to be in good agreement with those determined by laboratory experiments,and the variation rules maintained good consistency.Last,a case study of a real tunnel project is provided to highlight the effectiveness,validity and robustness of the developed E-P model in prediction of stresses and deformations.