A Study on the Heat Transfer of Surrounding Rock-Supporting Structures in High-Geothermal Tunnels

Abstract

The temperature distribution is one of the most vital parameters which should be fully considered in high geothermal tunnel design. For the purpose of studying the impact of temperature disturbance caused by construction on temperature distribution of surrounding rock and lining structure in a high geothermal tunnel, a new finite difference model for temperature prediction was proposed. Based on the abundant field test results, forecast analysis for the research of a high geothermal tunnel in this paper is made. The results indicate that the temperature of the surrounding rock near the tunnel sidewall decreases obviously in the first 14 days while that of the surrounding rock far away is stable after tunnel excavation, and the rock temperature showed three ways of change: undulate type (<2 m), decline type (2–5 m) and stable type (>5 m). There is a linear relationship between the initial rock temperature and the released heat of the surrounding rock. The radius of the heat-adjusting layer and the initial rock temperature presents a quadratic function relation. The lining concrete actually cures under the variable high-temperature environment and the real curing temperature decreases with time and becomes stable seven days later. The results would contribute to providing support for high geothermal tunnel research and design.