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Influence of Lithology and Maximum Horizontal Stress on Arch-Bottom Rockburst Behavior and Tunnel Stability

delete2026-08-13
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PRE
AI
Z
Zhichao He
F
Fengqiang Gong *
J
Jianchun Li
L
Lei Xu
Y
Yaowen Yang *
DOI:10.1007/s00603-026-05853-wdelete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Lithology is a fundamental factor governing the stability and control design of surrounding rock in deep-buried tunnels. To investigate the combined influence of rock lithology and maximum horizontal principal stress (σH) on arch-bottom rockburst behavior and overall tunnel stability, a series of uniaxial compression and true-triaxial experiments were conducted on Miluo granite and Linyi red sandstone. The tests simulated arch-bottom rockburst and overall surrounding rock failure under in situ stress conditions corresponding to a burial depth of 1000 m. The results demonstrate pronounced lithological dependence in rockburst characteristics. Granite exhibits strong energy accumulation capacity and rockburst proneness, characterized by dynamic particle ejection during arch-bottom rockburst. In contrast, red sandstone shows moderate rockburst proneness, with failure dominated by static buckling and spalling, leading to a wider affected zone. Furthermore, disturbances induced by σH significantly intensify the risk of catastrophic failure at the arch-bottom in deep tunnels. Moreover, analysis of water-saturated red sandstone reveals that although water suppresses dynamic rockburst behavior, it substantially degrades mechanical properties and increases sensitivity to stress disturbance, thereby increasing the likelihood of surrounding rock instability. Based on 3D laser scanning and fractal theory, the failure morphology comparisons indicate that arch-bottom rockburst pits typically exhibit irregular V-shaped geometries with considerable damage depth and extent. Red sandstone tends to form deeper pits with larger and more numerous fragments, whereas granite failure produces shallower pits with smaller and fewer debris particles. These findings suggest that tunnels excavated in rock masses with high rockburst proneness should adopt a combined strategy of stress relief and reinforcement, while surrounding rock with medium-to-low rockburst proneness requires strengthened active support measures to ensure long-term stability.
Keywords:
Rock mechanics
Rockburst
Lithology
Deep-buried tunnel
Surrounding rock
Arch-bottom instability

Journal

Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering cover
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
IF:
6.6
Papers:
6.0K
Citations:
3.0W

Organization

S
School of Civil Engineering
Scholars:
1.8K
Papers: 728
Citations: 2
S
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Scholars:
258
Papers: 150
Citations: 0
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