Stress Analysis and Spalling Failure Simulation on Surrounding Rock of Deep Arch Tunnel

Abstract

To study the stress distribution characteristics of surrounding rock and the spalling mechanism of deep hard rock tunnels with different arch heights, the complex variable function and angle-preserving transformation method in elasticity theory were applied to the analytic solution of tangential stress distribution of arch tunnels during stress adjustment. In addition, true triaxial tests were conducted on granite cube specimens (100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm) containing holes with three arch heights (including the 25 mm semi-circular arch, 16.7 mm three-centered arch, 12.5 mm three-centered arch) to simulate the spalling process under different initial ground stresses. The stress distribution solution and experimental results show that the initial failure stress of arch holes is 0.39–0.48 times the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the rock. The initial failure location occurs at the arch foot, where tangential stress maximizes. When the lateral pressure coefficient is in the range of 0.38–0.50, the tangential stress is 3.2–3.5 times the UCS. The rock debris of the hole wall are in thin flake shapes. Symmetrical V-shaped or curved failure zones occurred on hole sidewalls. The stress distribution resolution of the surrounding rock of tunnels with different arch heights shows that with the increasing burial depth, the bearing performance of the semi-circular arch tunnel is optimal. In addition, the maximum tangential stress increases as the height of the arch decreases or the lateral stress increases, making it easier for the initial failure to occur at the foot of the arch.