Investigation on the AE characteristics and progressive failure behaviors of tunnels by strength reduction method

The fracture features and failure mechanisms of tunnels excavated in shallow and deep rock masses are investigated using a series of three-dimensional heterogeneous models that incorporate cross section, tunnel alignment, faults and tunnel support system. The strength reduction method is embedded in...

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Main Authors: Xianhui Feng, Yadav Kedar Prasad, Bin Gong, Xiaofeng Cheng, Wenshuo Duan, Huilin Liu, Fenhua Ren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Earth Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1426226/full
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author Xianhui Feng
Yadav Kedar Prasad
Bin Gong
Xiaofeng Cheng
Wenshuo Duan
Huilin Liu
Fenhua Ren
author_facet Xianhui Feng
Yadav Kedar Prasad
Bin Gong
Xiaofeng Cheng
Wenshuo Duan
Huilin Liu
Fenhua Ren
author_sort Xianhui Feng
collection DOAJ
description The fracture features and failure mechanisms of tunnels excavated in shallow and deep rock masses are investigated using a series of three-dimensional heterogeneous models that incorporate cross section, tunnel alignment, faults and tunnel support system. The strength reduction method is embedded in the rock failure process analysis method to achieve the gradual fracture process, macro failure mode and safety factor, and to reproduce the characteristic fracture phenomenon of surrounding rock masses. The mechanical mechanisms and acoustic emission energy of deep rocks at the different stages of the whole formation process of zonal disintegration are further discussed. The results indicate that the zonal disintegration process is triggered by the stress redistribution; cross section influences the stress buildup, stress shadow and stress transfer as well as the failure mode of surrounding rock mass; the dip of faults and tunnel support system can affect zonal disintegration pattern near the tunnel surface along their strikes; the twin-tunnel layout makes zonal disintegration pattern more intricate. These insights advance our understanding of the zonal disintegration in deep engineering.
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issn 2296-6463
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Earth Science
spelling doaj-art-8313f8bb656c4a43b5af7b330c064cc92025-08-20T03:09:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632025-05-011310.3389/feart.2025.14262261426226Investigation on the AE characteristics and progressive failure behaviors of tunnels by strength reduction methodXianhui Feng0Yadav Kedar Prasad1Bin Gong2Xiaofeng Cheng3Wenshuo Duan4Huilin Liu5Fenhua Ren6School of Civil and Resources Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, ChinaChina Communication Construction 4th Harbour Engineering Co. Ltd, Fuzhou, ChinaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Brunel University of London, London, United KingdomCollege of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, ChinaSchool of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaSchool of Civil and Resources Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, ChinaThe fracture features and failure mechanisms of tunnels excavated in shallow and deep rock masses are investigated using a series of three-dimensional heterogeneous models that incorporate cross section, tunnel alignment, faults and tunnel support system. The strength reduction method is embedded in the rock failure process analysis method to achieve the gradual fracture process, macro failure mode and safety factor, and to reproduce the characteristic fracture phenomenon of surrounding rock masses. The mechanical mechanisms and acoustic emission energy of deep rocks at the different stages of the whole formation process of zonal disintegration are further discussed. The results indicate that the zonal disintegration process is triggered by the stress redistribution; cross section influences the stress buildup, stress shadow and stress transfer as well as the failure mode of surrounding rock mass; the dip of faults and tunnel support system can affect zonal disintegration pattern near the tunnel surface along their strikes; the twin-tunnel layout makes zonal disintegration pattern more intricate. These insights advance our understanding of the zonal disintegration in deep engineering.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1426226/fulltunnel failurestrength reductioncross sectionfaultssupport systemtunnel layout
spellingShingle Xianhui Feng
Yadav Kedar Prasad
Bin Gong
Xiaofeng Cheng
Wenshuo Duan
Huilin Liu
Fenhua Ren
Investigation on the AE characteristics and progressive failure behaviors of tunnels by strength reduction method
Frontiers in Earth Science
tunnel failure
strength reduction
cross section
faults
support system
tunnel layout
title Investigation on the AE characteristics and progressive failure behaviors of tunnels by strength reduction method
title_full Investigation on the AE characteristics and progressive failure behaviors of tunnels by strength reduction method
title_fullStr Investigation on the AE characteristics and progressive failure behaviors of tunnels by strength reduction method
title_full_unstemmed Investigation on the AE characteristics and progressive failure behaviors of tunnels by strength reduction method
title_short Investigation on the AE characteristics and progressive failure behaviors of tunnels by strength reduction method
title_sort investigation on the ae characteristics and progressive failure behaviors of tunnels by strength reduction method
topic tunnel failure
strength reduction
cross section
faults
support system
tunnel layout
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1426226/full
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