Optimization Methods of Blasting Parameters of Large Cross-Section Tunnel in Horizontal Layered Rock Mass

Abstract

For large cross-section tunnel in horizontal layered rock mass, blasting excavation often causes serious overbreak and underbreak. In this study, blasting excavation tests of tunnel upper face were conducted, blast-induced excavation damage and the influence mechanisms of weak beddings and joints were analyzed based on the Panlongshan tunnel. In order to achieve fine excavation, the cut mode of “center holes and four-wedge cutting holes”, the blasthole pattern of “empty holes, long holes, short holes and additional relief holes”, the maximum single-hole charge and the air-deck charge structure were proposed. Compared with the damage characteristics, overbreak and underbreak, and deformations of surrounding rock before and after optimization, the latter was better in tunnel contour formation and surrounding rock stability. The results show that after optimization, the large-area separation of vault rock mass is solved, the step-like overbreak of spandrel rock mass is reduced and the large-size rock block and underbreak are avoided. The maximum linear overbreak of vault, spandrel, and haunch surrounding rock is decreased by 42.3%, 53.7% and 45.1%, respectively. The underbreak at the bottom of the upper face is reduced from − 111.5 to − 16.5 cm. The average overbreak area is decreased by 61.1%. The surrounding rock displacement after optimization finally converges to the smaller value. The arch crown settlement and the horizontal convergence of haunch are reduced by about 21.6% and 18.3%, respectively. Furthermore, from the completion of blasting excavation to the stabilization of surrounding rock, it takes less time by using the optimized blasting scheme.