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1 – 10 of over 2000
Article
Publication date: 14 July 2022

Yongliang Wang, Jin Huang and Guocheng Wang

This study aims to analyse the deep resource mining that causes high in situ stress, and the disturbance of tunnelling and mining which may induce large stress concentration…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the deep resource mining that causes high in situ stress, and the disturbance of tunnelling and mining which may induce large stress concentration, plastic deformation and rock strata compression deformation. The depth of deep resources, excavation rate and multilayered heterogeneity are critical factors of excavation disturbance in deep rock. However, at present, there are few engineering practices used in deep resource mining, and it is difficult to analyse the high in situ stress and dynamic three-dimensional (3D) excavation process in laboratory experiments. As a result, an understanding of the behaviours and mechanisms of the dynamic evolution of the stress field and plastic zone in deep tunnelling and mining surrounding rock is still lacking.

Design/methodology/approach

This study introduced a 3D engineering-scale finite element model and analysed the scheme involved the elastoplastic constitutive and element deletion techniques, while considering the influence of the deep rock mass of the roadway excavation, coal seam mining-induced stress, plastic zone in the process of mining disturbance of the in situ stress state, excavation rate and layered rock mass properties at the depths of 500 m, 1,500 m and 2,500 m of several typical coal seams, and the tunnelling and excavation rates of 0.5 m/step, 1 m/step and 2 m/step. An engineering-scale numerical model of the layered rock and soil body in an actual mining area were also established.

Findings

The simulation results of the surrounding rock stress field, dynamic evolution and maximum value change of the plastic zone, large deformation and settlement of the layered rock mass are obtained. The numerical results indicate that the process of mining can be accelerated with the increase in the tunnelling and excavation rate, but the vertical concentrated stress induced by the surrounding rock intensifies with the increase in the excavation rate, which becomes a crucial factor affecting the instability of the surrounding rock. The deep rock mass is in the high in situ stress state, and the stress and plastic strain maxima of the surrounding rock induced by the tunnelling and mining processes increase sharply with the excavation depth. In ultra-deep conditions (depth of 2,500 m), the maximum vertical stress is quickly reached by the conventional tunnelling and mining process. Compared with the deep homogeneous rock mass model, the multilayered heterogeneous rock mass produces higher mining-induced stress and plastic strain in each layer during the entire process of tunnelling and mining, and each layer presents a squeeze and dislocation deformation.

Originality/value

The results of this study can provide a valuable reference for the dynamic evolution of stress and plastic deformation in roadway tunnelling and coal seam mining to investigate the mechanisms of in situ stress at typical depths, excavation rates, stress concentrations, plastic deformations and compression behaviours of multilayered heterogeneity.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 39 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 August 2023

Yongliang Wang, Ruiguang Feng, Dongping Li and Ruidong Peng

The induction of geological disasters is predominantly influenced by the dynamic evolution of the stress and plastic zones of the multilayer rock formations surrounding deep-rock…

Abstract

Purpose

The induction of geological disasters is predominantly influenced by the dynamic evolution of the stress and plastic zones of the multilayer rock formations surrounding deep-rock roadways, and the behaviours and mechanisms of high in situ stress are key scientific issues related to deep-resource exploitation. The stress environment of deep resources is more complex owing to the influence of several geological factors, such as tectonic movements and landforms. Therefore, in practical engineering, the in situ stress field is in a complex anisotropic three-dimensional state, which may change the deformation and failure law of the surrounding rock. The purpose of this study is to investigate the tunnelling-induced stress and plastic evolution causing instability of multilayered surrounding rock by varying three-dimensional in situ stresses.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on data from the Yangquan Coal Mine, China, a finite difference model was established, and the elastic-plastic constitutive model and element deletion technology designed in the study were analysed. Gradual tunnelling along the roof and floor of the coal seam was used in the model, which predicted the impact tendency, and compared the results with the impact tendency report to verify the validity of the model. The evolutions of the stress field and plastic zone of the coal roadway in different stress fields were studied by modifying the maximum horizontal in situ stress, minimum horizontal in situ stress and lateral pressure coefficient.

Findings

The results shown that the in situ stress influenced the stress distribution and plastic zone of the surrounding rock. With an increase in the minimum horizontal in situ stress, the vertical in situ stress release area of the roof surrounding rock slowly decreased; the area of vertical in situ stress concentration area of the deep surrounding rock on roadway sides decreased, increased and decreased by turn; the area of roof now-shear failure area first increased and then decreased. With an increase in the lateral pressure coefficient, the area of the horizontal in situ stress release area of the surrounding rock increased; the area of vertical in situ stress release area of the roof and floor surrounding rock first decreased and then increased; the area of deep stress concentration area of roadway sides decreased; and the plastic area of the surrounding rock and the area of now-shear failure first decreased and then increased.

Originality/value

The results obtained in this study are based on actual cases and reveal the evolution law of the disturbing stress and plastic zone of multilayer surrounding rock caused by three-dimensional in situ stress during the excavation of deep rock roadways, which can provide a practical reference for the extraction of deep resources.

Article
Publication date: 24 August 2018

Bin Chen, Song Cen, Andrew R. Barron, D.R.J. Owen and Chenfeng Li

The purpose of this paper is to systematically investigate the fluid lag phenomena and its influence in the hydraulic fracturing process, including all stages of fluid-lag…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to systematically investigate the fluid lag phenomena and its influence in the hydraulic fracturing process, including all stages of fluid-lag evolution, the transition between different stages and their coupling with dynamic fracture propagation under common conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A plane 2D model is developed to simulate the complex evolution of fluid lag during the propagation of a hydraulic fracture driven by an impressible Newtonian fluid. Based on the finite element method, a fully implicit solution scheme is proposed to solve the strongly coupled rock deformation, fluid flow and fracture propagation. Using the proposed model, comprehensive parametric studies are performed to examine the evolution of fluid lag in various geological and operational conditions.

Findings

The numerical simulations predict that the lag ratio is around 5% or even lower at the beginning stage of hydraulic fracture under practical geological conditions. With the fracture propagation, the lag ratio keeps decreasing and can be ignored in the late stage of hydraulic fracturing for typical parameter combinations. On the numerical aspect, whether the fluid lag can be ignored depends not only on the lag ratio but also on the minimum mesh size used for fluid flow. In addition, an overall mixed-mode fracture propagation factor is proposed to describe the relationship between diverse parameters and fracture curvature.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, relatively simple physical models such as linear elasticity for solid, Newtonian model for fluid and linear elasticity fracture mechanics for fracture are used. The current model does not account for such effects like leak off, poroelasticity and softening of rock formations, which may also visibly affect the fluid lag depending on specific reservoir conditions.

Originality/value

This study helps to understand the effect of fluid lag during hydraulic fracturing processes and provides numerical experience in dealing with the fluid lag with finite element simulation.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 35 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2012

Vahed Ghiasi, Samad Ghiasi and Arun Prasad

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the methods employed for classifying and quantifying the potential of squeezing in tunnels. Along with the empirical and semi‐empirical…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the methods employed for classifying and quantifying the potential of squeezing in tunnels. Along with the empirical and semi‐empirical approaches presently available in order to anticipate the potential of squeezing tunnel problems, the squeezing potential of Karaj water transfer tunnel and North West Tunnel Convey (NWTC) tunnels (Lot 2), located in Iran, are evaluated and presented. Those two case studies have an interesting geology profile and parameters to identify and then evaluate the squeezing potential.

Design/methodology/approach

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the tunnel construction. This paper describes the squeezing behavior of poor rock mass associated with deformability and strength properties. In Karaj water transfer tunnel, there are eight lithological rock types; and NWTC tunnel (Lot2) has 21 Lithological rock types. The parameters for rock classification, such as rock quality designation (RQD), rock mass rating (RMR), modified RMR, Q‐system, geological strength index (GSI), rock mass index (RMi), and rock structure rating (RSR) are evaluated and presented here. The parameters mentioned above are the input parameters for squeezing study in Karaj and NWTC tunnels. According to different methods of squeezing evaluation of tunnel presented in tables, the results of two case studies are presented in this paper.

Findings

One of the more significant findings to emerge from this study showed that about 3 km of the second part of NWTC tunnel, and 2 km of the Karaj tunnel have high squeezing potential. This research deals with not only an overview of the methods used for the identifying and quantifying of squeezing along with the empirical and semi‐empirical approaches presently available in order to anticipate the potential of squeezing tunnel problem, but also the case studies of NWTC and Karaj tunnels to evaluate and compare the potential of squeezing by different methods. These two tunnel case studies have high potential of squeezing therefore the lining of those two tunnels must be strong enough to overcome this issue.

Originality/value

This study is a precise and concise comparison of the evaluation of tunnels under squeezing rock condition. The present study confirms the previous findings and contributes additional evidence that suggests that there are many studies conducted using empirical and analytical methods to determine the squeezing phenomenon in tunnels. This paper responds to the various questions like, what is the squeezing phenomenon. How can we quantify the potential of squeezing in weak rock? What are the different approaches to the understanding of squeezing phenomenon?

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 July 2016

Keju Yan, Zhichuan Guan, Hao Chen, Xiaofeng Zhao and Hongning Zhang

Casing damage problems are increasingly prominent in oil fields, most of which were caused by casing external squeezing loads. The traditional calculation method of casing…

Abstract

Purpose

Casing damage problems are increasingly prominent in oil fields, most of which were caused by casing external squeezing loads. The traditional calculation method of casing external squeezing loads is not very accurate now, especially in complex formation. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new calculation method to solve the problem of actual casing loads under above conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Lame’s model of elastic mechanics, a new calculation method of casing external squeezing loads is deduced. Comprehensive influence laws of the loads which caused by in-situ stress, internal pressure, formation parameters, cement annulus parameters and casing parameters are analyzed.

Findings

The paper provides a new calculation method of casing external squeezing loads, by which the dispersion effect of internal liquid pressure caused by casing wall material is eliminated. The main influence factors of casing external squeezing loads are in-situ stress and formation elastic modulus.

Research limitations/implications

The model and boundary conditions used in the paper is based on elastic mechanics. The accuracy of the calculation results depends on the quality and accuracy of the input formation parameters.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new method to calculate casing external squeezing loads. And compared with traditional methods, this method is more practical.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 33 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2019

Chao Liu, Mingyang Yang, Haoyu Han and Wenping Yue

To study fracture characteristics of jointed rock masses under blasting load, the RFPA2D analysis software for dynamic fracture of rocks based on the finite element method and…

Abstract

Purpose

To study fracture characteristics of jointed rock masses under blasting load, the RFPA2D analysis software for dynamic fracture of rocks based on the finite element method and statistical damage theory was used.

Design/methodology/approach

On this basis, this research simulated the fracture process of rock masses in blasting with different joint geometrical characteristics and mainly analysed the influences of distance from joints to blasting holes, the length of joints, the number of joints and joint angle on fracture of rock masses.

Findings

The calculation results show that with the constant increase of the distance from joints to blasting holes, the influences of joints on blasting effects of rock masses gradually reduced. Rock masses with long joints experienced more serious damages than those with short joints. Damages obviously increased with the changing from rock masses without joints to rock masses with joints, and when there were three joints, the further increase of the number of joints had unobvious changes on blasting effects of rock masses. Joints showed significant guidance effect on the propagation of cracks in blasting: promoting propagation of main vertical cracks deflecting to the ends of joints.

Originality/value

The research results are expected to provide some theoretical bases in practical application of engineering blasting.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 36 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 October 2018

Yuanqiang Chen, H. Zheng, Wei Li and Shan Lin

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new three-node triangular element in the framework of the numerical manifold method (NMM), which is designated by Trig3-MLScns.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new three-node triangular element in the framework of the numerical manifold method (NMM), which is designated by Trig3-MLScns.

Design/methodology/approach

The formulation uses the improved parametric shape functions of classical triangular elements (Trig3-0) to construct the partition of unity (PU) and the moving least square (MLS) interpolation method to construct the local approximation function.

Findings

Compared with the classical three-node element (Trig3-0), the Trig3-MLScns element has a higher order of approximations, much better accuracy and continuous nodal stress. Moreover, the linear dependence problem associated with many PU-based methods with high-order approximations is eliminated in the present element. A number of numerical examples indicate the high accuracy and robustness of the Trig3-MLScns element.

Originality/value

The proposed element inherits the individual merits of the NMM and the MLS.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 35 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 June 2022

Ke Ma, Yu Li, Guoyang Liu, Gang He, Chun Sha and Yilin Peng

The purpose of this study is to investigate the deformation characteristics and failure modes of the right bank slope of Xiluodu Hydropower Station after excavation.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the deformation characteristics and failure modes of the right bank slope of Xiluodu Hydropower Station after excavation.

Design/methodology/approach

Micro-seismic monitoring technology is applied to obtain the microfracture information and study the internal damage evolution law of the slope rock mass. A numerical model for discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) is established to analyse the deformation characteristics and failure mode of the slope. Micro-seismic monitoring and DDA can verify and supplement each other's results in the investigation of slope failure.

Findings

The results show that the slope has a downhill displacement along the weathered zone under natural conditions; the maximum resultant displacement at the monitoring point is 380 mm. The micro-seismic events are concentrated in an area located 30–100 m horizontally away from the slope surface and at an elevation of 390–470 m. The distribution of these micro-seismic events is consistent with the location of the unloading and weathered zones; it is the same as the DDA simulation result.

Originality/value

The study is anticipated to be used as reference for the stability analysis of rock slopes. By combining the continuous (micro-seismic monitoring technology) and discontinuous (DDA) methods, the entire process starting from the gradual accumulation of internal rock micro-damage to the macroscopic discontinuous deformation and failure of the slope can be investigated.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 39 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 March 2023

Minting Wang, Renjie Cao, HuiChao Chang and Dong Liang

Laser-based powder bed fusion (LPBF) is a new method for forming thin-walled parts, but large cooling rates and temperature gradients can lead to large residual stresses and…

Abstract

Purpose

Laser-based powder bed fusion (LPBF) is a new method for forming thin-walled parts, but large cooling rates and temperature gradients can lead to large residual stresses and deformations in the part. This study aims to reduce the residual stress and deformation of thin-walled parts by a specific laser rescanning strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional transient finite element model is established to numerically simulate the LPBF forming process of multilayer and multitrack thin-walled parts. By changing the defocus amount, the laser in situ annealing process is designed, and the optimal rescanning parameters are obtained, which are verified by experiments.

Findings

The results show that the annealing effect is related to the average surface temperature and scan time. When the laser power is 30 W and the scanning speed is 20 mm/s, the overall residual stress and deformation of the thin-walled parts are the smallest, and the in situ annealing effect is the best. When the annealing frequency is reduced to once every three layers, the total annealing time can be reduced by more than 60%.

Originality/value

The research results can help better understand the influence mechanism of laser in situ annealing process on residual stress and deformation in LPBF and provide guidance for reducing residual stress and deformation of LPBF thin-walled parts.

Article
Publication date: 10 February 2022

Pengxiong Zhao, Wei Wu, Zeyu Ma and Yong Dan

This paper aims to investigate the corrosion evolution process of AZ91 magnesium alloy in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution under different stresses by using in situ methods, thereby…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the corrosion evolution process of AZ91 magnesium alloy in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution under different stresses by using in situ methods, thereby evaluate the influence of stress on the corrosion sensitivity of AZ91 magnesium alloy, and discuss the potential mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

A four-point bending method was used to apply different loads to the magnesium alloy samples, a charge coupled device camera and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test being used for in situ study. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were performed for corrosion product and morphology characteristics.

Findings

The observation results show that the corrosion of AZ91 magnesium alloy becomes more and more serious with the increase in the stress and generated many corrosion products. Originally, corrosion products prevented alloy matrix from contacting the corrosive medium. However, the increase in the stress facilitated the emergence of the corrosion holes in the corrosion products, which provided the microscopic channels for corrosive solution to attack the Mg alloy matrix, and accelerated the corrosion of the magnesium alloy, resulting in a lot of corrosion pits on the magnesium alloy surface under the corrosion product layer.

Originality/value

The evolution information of corrosion process is crucial to explore the mechanism of corrosion. Currently, most researches about corrosion of magnesium alloy used traditional testing techniques to obtain corrosion information, lacking the direct tracking and monitoring of the corrosion evolution process. Hence, this paper focuses on in situ corrosion study of AZ91 magnesium alloy. The technology with spatial resolution capability observed the changes in magnesium alloy surface at different times in the corrosion process in situ. Meanwhile, the in situ electrochemical technology was used to monitor the changes in micro-electrochemical signals during the corrosion process of magnesium alloy under different stresses.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 69 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

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