Failure behaviors of square-tunnel-structured rock specimens under various inclined boundary stress conditions

Abstract

In most engineering practices, the directions of geo-stress are not always perpendicular or parallel to the center line of underground tunnels’ cross section, and the surrounding rocks are subjected to inclined boundary stresses, which is often ignored in most previous studies. The investigations on the failure characteristics of surrounding rocks around tunnels under inclined boundary stresses have great practical significance. In this study, a series of uniaxial or biaxial compression tests were conducted using cubic red sandstone specimens with different prefabricated square holes. The horizontal centerline inclinations of square holes were designed as 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°. The test results show that the horizontal centerline inclinations of holes have a great impact on the strength of rock specimens which tend to increase firstly and followed by decreasing. The confining pressure stress σ2 amplify the horizontal centerline inclination effect of holes on the strength of rock specimens. In addition, the horizontal centerline inclination of holes also affected the failure mode and crack propagation of surrounding rock significantly, the stress concentration zone at the right-angle boundary of the hole can induce the propagation of cracks. The findings of this study may provide theoretical guidance and reference significance for the stability evaluation, support parameter and disaster control of underground tunnels.