In Situ Needle Penetration Test and Its Application in a Sericite Schist Railway Tunnel, Southwest of China

Abstract

AbstractThe sericite schist is a typical metamorphic soft rock. Large deformation of surrounding rock often occurs in the construction of a tunnel in this stratum. Due to the broken rock mass structure and poor mechanical strength in Baishitou tunnel project of Dalin line of Southwest railway, it is impossible to prepare standard samples for a traditional rock mechanical test. Therefore, we chose penetrometer (SH-70) for an in situ test. Firstly, we monitored the deformation of typical sections and analyzed the characteristics of large deformation of soft rock in the tunnel. Secondly, we tested the needle penetration index of fresh excavation face and side wall. Then, we estimated some mechanical parameters of sericite schist by a needle penetrometer and Hoek-brown criterion and discussed the acquisition of mechanical parameters of soft rock. The results show the following: (1) the characteristics of extrusion rock tunnel are summarized as large deformation, fast deformation rate, and obvious construction disturbance. (2) The reference value of penetration index of sericite schist (the vertical joint direction) is 3.90~7.77 N/mm, and the parallel joint direction is 1.27~2.99 N/mm. (3) The uniaxial compressive strength estimated by a penetrometer is 0.78~8.53 MPa, and the strength of the surrounding rock is negatively correlated with the amount of deformation. Therefore, it can be considered that the insufficient strength of surrounding rock is the fundamental reason for large deformation. (4) The reference value of cohesion of sericite schist estimated by a penetrometer is 0.203 MPa, and the reference value of internal friction angle is 18.224°. Compared with the common estimation methods, the penetrometer is more convenient and economical, which can provide a new idea for obtaining the mechanical parameters of sericite schist soft rock tunnel.