CSIR Central

Determination of support pressure for tunnels and caverns using block theory

IR@CIMFR: CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad

View Archive Info
 
 
Field Value
 
Title Determination of support pressure for tunnels and caverns using block theory
 
Creator Prasad, V. V. R.
Dwivedi , R. D.
Swarup , A.
 
Subject Blasting
 
Description The estimation of support requirements to stabilize underground structures is of prime importance for rational design of these structures. The characterizing parameters of rock mass may vary with depth. Determination of these parameters by drilled cores and Ground-Probing-Radar (GPR) is difficult and expensive due to anisotropy of rock mass. Laboratory testing is also expensive. Also the in situ conditions are difficult to simulate in the laboratory. The designer is thus resorting to empirical methods and analytical methods to determine these parameters. Often, the analytical techniques may mesmerize the designer to feel the problem and its solution on the screen of the computer. In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop algorithm based on Block Theory with geological information & mechanical properties of rock for determining the rock pressure. Limitations of this technique are number of joint sets not less than three and width of the opening up to 25 m. The algorithm determines all the wedges formed at a time by 3, 4, 5, 6, …, n joint planes with excavation plane responsible for manifestation of rock pressure at roof/wall. All the permutations and combinations for wedge formation can be considered in this respect. Rock pressure for design is determined for reinforcement of the underground openings. Spacing of rock bolts is found out as an additional feature. The alignment of the opening for optimal reinforcement can also be determined. Case history of Tehri Power House, India is taken up for analysis. The empirical correlations developed by Goel (1994) are used for comparative study. It was found that no appreciable rock pressure was developed at walls. Roof pressure is determined to be 140 kPa, which is almost same as observed. It is thus established that block theory may be applicable for design criterion up to depth of 500 m.
 
Publisher Elsevier
 
Date 2013-08
 
Type Article
PeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Identifier http://cimfr.csircentral.net/1487/1/prasad.pdf
Prasad, V. V. R. and Dwivedi , R. D. and Swarup , A. (2013) Determination of support pressure for tunnels and caverns using block theory. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 37. pp. 55-61. ISSN 0886-7798
 
Relation http://cimfr.csircentral.net/1487/