Analysis of Malignant Expansion of Plastic Zone of Surrounding Rocks in High Ground Temperature Hydraulic Tunnels and the Mechanical Characteristics of the Support Structure

Abstract

To explore the development process of the plastic zone of hydraulic tunnels and the mechanical characteristics of the support structure in a high ground temperature environment during construction period, methods, including theoretical analysis, numerical calculation, field monitoring test, etc., are used to analyze the generation and formation process of the plastic zone of surrounding rocks in the hydraulic tunnel under high ground temperature environment. The evolution law of mechanical characteristics of the support structure in surrounding rocks is studied. The development process and shape of the plastic zone in the tunnel under various high ground temperatures are simulated. The results show that after the excavation of the high ground temperature hydraulic tunnel, the plastic zone first appears at the arch waist in a crescent pattern, then extends to both sides and the spandrel, and connects with the plastic zone in the arch crown, forming a pattern of circle or butterfly. A higher initial temperature of the surrounding rock indicates a larger range and plastic strain of the plastic zone in the surrounding rock. At the same time, the plastic zone is easier to appear at the spandrel and arch foot and develop to the depth of the surrounding rock. The higher is the initial temperature of the surrounding rock, the greater will be the axial force and bending moment of supported shotcrete, the more obviously the bending moment of arch abutment and arch foot will grow, the greater will be the axial force value of the bolt and the farther the neutral point will be from the tunnel wall. While strengthening the arch waist, the support of the arch shoulder and arch foot should also be strengthened at a high temperature.