Theoretical analysis on stress distribution characteristics around a shallow buried spherical Karst cave containing fill materials in limestone strata

Peng Xie,Shaokun Ma,Haijia Wen,Liangyong Li

doi:10.1007/s12665-021-10112-y

Abstract

The chief objective of the article is to learn the spatial characteristics of stress distribution around a shallow buried spherical Karst cave containing fill materials in limestone strata. First, considering the effect of external load, stress field in the Earth’s crust, internal filling and Karst geomorphology characteristics in China, a spatial axisymmetrical model was established. Concurrently, combing available work and the concept of elasticity, the boundary conditions are determined. Subsequently, the Love displacement method was introduced, and stress component expressions were obtained. The diagram characteristics of each stress component are summarized, which are affected by various influencing factors. Finally, to prove the rationality of the general solution, a numerical simulation was carried out based on practical engineering, and the maximum error is less than 5%. Thus, the analytical solution could represent the spatial characteristics of stress distribution around a shallow buried spherical karst cave containing fill materials in limestone strata.

Highlights

IntroductionVarious patterns of Karst cave have been found, including columnar, alter shaped, spherical, funnel shaped and so on [1,2], and filled by fill materials (such as clay, water, air and so on)
Karst landform exists widely in the world, and Karst cave is one of the typical representatives.Up to now, various patterns of Karst cave have been found, including columnar, alter shaped, spherical, funnel shaped and so on [1,2], and filled by fill materials
The expressions of stress components are composed of power function, which are beneficial to the application in practice

Summary

Introduction

Various patterns of Karst cave have been found, including columnar, alter shaped, spherical, funnel shaped and so on [1,2], and filled by fill materials (such as clay, water, air and so on). In recent years, owing to the rapid urban development as well as the growing occupation of terrestrial, the dimensions as well as the speed of engineering construction have been greatly accelerated [4]. The ground collapse has become a common engineering problem in mantled Karst region, and brings great loss to people's life and property. The losses encompass agricultural engineering, highway engineering, railway engineering, mining engineering, industrial and civil construction engineering, etc [5,6,7,8]

Objectives

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion