Stress evolution in rocks around tunnel under uniaxial loading: Insights from PFC3D-GBM modelling and force chain analysis

Abstract

In underground engineerings, the evolution of the stress state in the surrounding rocks can effectively reveal its fracture mechanism. To precisely describe this microscopic information, the present study utilizes the three-dimensional Grain-based model based on Particle Flow Code (PFC3D-GBM) to construct a square numerical specimen with a pre-existing hole representing a tunnel and subjected it to uniaxial loading. In this model, different types of mineral structures and internal force chain networks are distinguished at a three-dimensional scale. Furthermore, the evolution of force chain networks in the top, bottom, left and right regions around the tunnel is quantitatively characterized. The anti-fracture capability depending on stress state of various structures is calculated and then the fracture mechanism from the point of anti-fracture capability is discussed. The research results indicate that at at the beginning of loading, some red force chains with higher level have appeared on both sides of the tunnel. As the load goes on, red force chain network extending from both sides of the tunnel to the upper and lower ends of the specimen have emerged. The average value and sum value of all force chains show an increasing trend before the peak load and a decreasing trend after the peak load. The average value of force chains within a specific structure can accurately reflect the microscopic mechanical properties of that structure. The average values of force chains on the left and right sides of the tunnel are higher, both in terms of starting points and ascending rates, than those in the upper and lower regions of the tunnel. The orientation distribution of all force chains is relatively uniform, but force chains with higher level are generally align with the loading direction. The fundamental reason for the high degree of fragmentation on the left and right sides of the tunnel is that these regions bear more external load than the upper and lower regions, rather than being inherently more prone to fracture.