Stability Analysis of Highway Tunnel through Mined-Out Area during Excavation Process

Abstract

Tianpingzhai Tunnel on Dazhou-Wanzhou Expressway passes through the mined-out area, the spatial position of the goaf changes constantly comparing to the tunnel during excavation, and broken rock mass of the caving zone is most likely to collapse, which affects construction safety in return. Two dimensional computation models were built by using finite differential software FLAC to simulate excavation process when the coal-mined area is right above or below the tunnel. In 2D models, goaf strata were regarded as horizontal, and buried depth and coal thickness were limited to 300 meters and 0.5 meter respectively. The displacement around the tunnel, forces of primary lining, axial force of bolts and plastic zone of surrounding rock have been analyzed under these circumstances that the distances between tunnel and goaf are 1m, 6m and 12m. According to the results, when the distance between goaf and tunnel is less than 12 meters,underlying goaf has greater impact on the displacement around the tunnel and average axial force of bolts than overlying goaf, as well as the size of plastic zone of surrounding rock. Its strongly suggested to avoid underlying goaf if the tunnel have to pass through the mined-out area.