Abstract
This study illustrates the classification of the rock mass and evaluation of rock squeezing, rock burst potential, deformation modulus along the proposed tunnel alignment of small hydropower in Swat Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. The field and laboratory studies were conducted to classify the rock mass by using geomechanical classification systems i.e. Rock Mass Rating (RMR), tunneling quality index (Q), Rock Mass Index (RMi). The empirical relations classified the ground as non-squeezing and minor to non-squeezing conditions, respectively. Whereas, other methods depict minor to medium bursting potential along chainage 1+000 to 4+000 m, while results along chainage 2+400 - 2+800 m present medium to high bursting potential. Furthermore, numerical analyses were carried out by RS3 for elastic and plastic conditions in order to assess the total displacement of each section in unsupported and supported conditions. The results gave maximum displacement along chainage 2+400 - 2+800 m (19.2 mm in unsupported and 16mm in supported condition) and minimum displacement along chainage 0+876 - 1+000 m (1.4 mm in unsupported and 1.3 mm in supported condition). Hence, the estimated support by empirical methods has been optimized by using numerical analyses for the stability of rock mass along the tunnel.
Highlights
The development of a country is directly related to the energy production
This study illustrates the classification of the rock mass and evaluation of rock squeezing, rock burst potential, deformation modulus along the proposed tunnel alignment of small hydropower in Swat Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan
In this study classification of the rock mass, prediction of rock burst, squeezing and deformation modulus of rock mass were assessed along headrace tunnel of hydropower which is 7.506 km long and 5 m in diameter
Summary
The development of a country is directly related to the energy production. Pakistan is facing worst energy crisis at present time. Many researchers [9] [10] [13] [14] [15] [19] [20] [22]-[27] have been studied deformation modulus with empirical equations on the basis of empirical classification systems as a input parameters such as Rock Quality Designation (RQD), Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Q-system (Q), Rock Mass Index (RMi) and Geological Strength Index (GSI). The geological mapping, discontinuity surveys, and laboratory testing were conducted to classify rock mass by empirical classification systems i.e. RMR, Q, and RMi. Whereas, rock bursting, squeezing and deformation modulus of rock mass along tunnel route were assessed by empirical equations proposed by various researchers.
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