Mechanical Anisotropy and Failure Characteristics of Columnar Jointed Rock Masses (CJRM) in Baihetan Hydropower Station: Structural Considerations Based on Digital Image Processing Technology

Yingjie Xia, Chuanqing Zhang, Hui Zhou, Chunsheng Zhang and Wangbing Hong
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Yingjie Xia: Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
Chuanqing Zhang: Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
Hui Zhou: Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
Chunsheng Zhang: Power China Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 310014, China
Wangbing Hong: Power China Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 310014, China

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 19, 1-24

Abstract: The columnar joints in Baihetan hydropower station are primary tensile joints since they were formed during the process of lava condensation. Understanding the influence of columnar jointed rock mass (CJRM) on the mechanical response and failure modes is the basis for designing of associated engineering works. Hence, the structural characteristics of Baihetan CJRM were analyzed by carrying out a geological survey at first. Three groups of numerical models capable of reflecting the structural characteristics of CJRM were then established to analyze the mechanical and failure characteristics. The results in this study showed that: (1) Irregularity of columnar basalt restricted crack propagation on columnar joints and also led to stress concentration in the distorted parts, and thus, damage of basalt columns; (2) when the included angle between direction of concentrated defect structures in CJRM and uniaxial stress was large, the defect structures can prevent crack propagation on columnar joints, and the failure of defect structure can cause the overall failure of the rock mass; and (3) under the condition of same columnar structure and included angle, the peak strength of models with microcracks and structural plane was low and the irregular shape of columnar joints decreased the anisotropy of mechanical parameters.

Keywords: columnar jointed rock mass; structural characteristic; anisotropy; numerical simulation; mechanical responses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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