On the heterogeneous rock mass stress condition at the unsteady temperature condition

Abstract

The unsteady thermoelastic problem of the rock mass stress state in the vicinity of a spherical cavity in the temperature field presence is considered. The temperature field around the cavity, partially filled with coolant, is calculated by the explicit difference scheme. Such tasks arise during the creation and operation of the underground cavities for the various products’ long-term storage. Moreover, the tendency to self-heating of the stored substances leads to the appearance of high-temperature fields, which in turn can cause the significant temperature stresses’ occurrence. A feature of the work is to take into account the two-dimensional heterogeneity of the massif material, which is due to both the fracture of the rock and the dependence of the deformation characteristics on temperature. In the article, the problem of thermo-elasticity is solved as quasi-stationary. Obtaining analytical solutions in the problems of thermo-elasticity of inhomogeneous bodies is associated with great difficulties. Such solutions are obtained, as a rule, for the case of one-dimensional heterogeneity of an object’s material. The obtained temperature field was used to solve the problem of determining the stress state of the array, and the finite element method was used. The results obtained indicate the need for calculations and design of underground cavities to take into account the real properties of the rock mass materials, as well as their change under the influence of various physical processes.