Residual rock deformation of lined caverns for underground energy storage after air deflation considering stress path

This study investigates the mechanical response of an underground cavern subjected to cyclic high gas pressure, aiming to establish a theoretical foundation for the design of lined rock caverns (LRCs) for energy storage with high internal pressure, e.g. compressed air energy storage (CAES) undergrou...

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Main Authors: Chen Xu, Caichu Xia, Gecheng Zhang, Sheng Wang, Hui Lu, Yingjun Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674775525001362
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author Chen Xu
Caichu Xia
Gecheng Zhang
Sheng Wang
Hui Lu
Yingjun Xu
author_facet Chen Xu
Caichu Xia
Gecheng Zhang
Sheng Wang
Hui Lu
Yingjun Xu
author_sort Chen Xu
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the mechanical response of an underground cavern subjected to cyclic high gas pressure, aiming to establish a theoretical foundation for the design of lined rock caverns (LRCs) for energy storage with high internal pressure, e.g. compressed air energy storage (CAES) underground caverns or hydrogen storage caverns. Initially, the stress paths of the surrounding rock during the excavation, pressurization, and depressurization processes are delineated. Analytical expressions for the stress and deformation of the surrounding rock are derived based on the Mohr–Coulomb criterion. These expressions are then employed to evaluate the displacement of cavern walls under varying qualities of surrounding rock, the contact pressure between the steel lining and the surrounding rock subject to different gas storage pressures, the load-bearing ratio of the surrounding rock, and the impact of lining thickness on the critical gas pressure. Furthermore, the deformation paths of the surrounding rock are evaluated, along with the effects of tunnel depth and diameter on residual deformation of the surrounding rock, and the critical minimum gas pressure at which the surrounding rock and the lining do not detach. The results indicate that residual deformation of the surrounding rock occurs after depressurization under higher internal pressure for higher-quality rock masses, leading to detachment between the surrounding rock and the steel lining. The findings indicate that thicker linings correspond to higher critical minimum gas pressures. However, for lower-quality surrounding rock, thicker linings correspond to lower critical minimum gas pressures. These findings will provide invaluable insights for the design of LRCs for underground energy storage caverns.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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series Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
spelling doaj-art-bacb9681d4f84bccb3c4565c3e16a8672025-08-20T03:50:25ZengElsevierJournal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering1674-77552025-07-011774160417810.1016/j.jrmge.2024.12.029Residual rock deformation of lined caverns for underground energy storage after air deflation considering stress pathChen Xu0Caichu Xia1Gecheng Zhang2Sheng Wang3Hui Lu4Yingjun Xu5Institute of Rock Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Ningbo Key Laboratory of Energy Geostructure, Ningbo, 315211, ChinaInstitute of Rock Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; Ningbo Key Laboratory of Energy Geostructure, Ningbo, 315211, China; Corresponding author. Institute of Rock Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.Institute of Rock Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, ChinaInstitute of Rock Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, ChinaInstitute of Rock Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, ChinaDepartment of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, ChinaThis study investigates the mechanical response of an underground cavern subjected to cyclic high gas pressure, aiming to establish a theoretical foundation for the design of lined rock caverns (LRCs) for energy storage with high internal pressure, e.g. compressed air energy storage (CAES) underground caverns or hydrogen storage caverns. Initially, the stress paths of the surrounding rock during the excavation, pressurization, and depressurization processes are delineated. Analytical expressions for the stress and deformation of the surrounding rock are derived based on the Mohr–Coulomb criterion. These expressions are then employed to evaluate the displacement of cavern walls under varying qualities of surrounding rock, the contact pressure between the steel lining and the surrounding rock subject to different gas storage pressures, the load-bearing ratio of the surrounding rock, and the impact of lining thickness on the critical gas pressure. Furthermore, the deformation paths of the surrounding rock are evaluated, along with the effects of tunnel depth and diameter on residual deformation of the surrounding rock, and the critical minimum gas pressure at which the surrounding rock and the lining do not detach. The results indicate that residual deformation of the surrounding rock occurs after depressurization under higher internal pressure for higher-quality rock masses, leading to detachment between the surrounding rock and the steel lining. The findings indicate that thicker linings correspond to higher critical minimum gas pressures. However, for lower-quality surrounding rock, thicker linings correspond to lower critical minimum gas pressures. These findings will provide invaluable insights for the design of LRCs for underground energy storage caverns.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674775525001362Underground energy storageLined rock cavern (LRC)Cyclic high pressureMechanical responseStress path
spellingShingle Chen Xu
Caichu Xia
Gecheng Zhang
Sheng Wang
Hui Lu
Yingjun Xu
Residual rock deformation of lined caverns for underground energy storage after air deflation considering stress path
Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
Underground energy storage
Lined rock cavern (LRC)
Cyclic high pressure
Mechanical response
Stress path
title Residual rock deformation of lined caverns for underground energy storage after air deflation considering stress path
title_full Residual rock deformation of lined caverns for underground energy storage after air deflation considering stress path
title_fullStr Residual rock deformation of lined caverns for underground energy storage after air deflation considering stress path
title_full_unstemmed Residual rock deformation of lined caverns for underground energy storage after air deflation considering stress path
title_short Residual rock deformation of lined caverns for underground energy storage after air deflation considering stress path
title_sort residual rock deformation of lined caverns for underground energy storage after air deflation considering stress path
topic Underground energy storage
Lined rock cavern (LRC)
Cyclic high pressure
Mechanical response
Stress path
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674775525001362
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AT shengwang residualrockdeformationoflinedcavernsforundergroundenergystorageafterairdeflationconsideringstresspath
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