• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.339-352
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• 2022

Studying slope stability is an important branch of civil engineering. In this way, engineers have employed machine learning models, due to their high efficiency in complex calculations. This paper examines the robustness of various novel optimization schemes, namely equilibrium optimizer (EO), Harris hawks optimization (HHO), water cycle algorithm (WCA), biogeography-based optimization (BBO), dragonfly algorithm (DA), grey wolf optimization (GWO), and teaching learning-based optimization (TLBO) for enhancing the performance of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in slope stability prediction. The hybrid models estimate the factor of safety (F_S) of a cohesive soil-footing system. The role of these algorithms lies in finding the optimal parameters of the membership function in the fuzzy system. By examining the convergence proceeding of the proposed hybrids, the best population sizes are selected, and the corresponding results are compared to the typical ANFIS. Accuracy assessments via root mean square error, mean absolute error, mean absolute percentage error, and Pearson correlation coefficient showed that all models can reliably understand and reproduce the F_S behavior. Moreover, applying the WCA, EO, GWO, and TLBO resulted in reducing both learning and prediction error of the ANFIS. Also, an efficiency comparison demonstrated the WCA-ANFIS as the most accurate hybrid, while the GWO-ANFIS was the fastest promising model. Overall, the findings of this research professed the suitability of improved intelligent models for practical slope stability evaluations.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.365-373
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• 2022

In order to investigate the damage evolution law of rock specimens under cyclic loading, cyclic loading tests under constant loads with different amplitudes were carried out on limestone specimens with high strength and brittleness values using acoustic emission (AE) technology and the energy evolution and AE characteristics were evaluated. Based on dissipated energy density and AE counts, the damage variable of specimen was characterized and two damage evolution processes were analyzed and compared. The obtained results showed that the change of AE counts was closely related to radial deformation. Higher cyclic loading values result in more significant radial strain of limestone specimen and larger accumulative AE counts of cyclic loading segment, which indicated Felicity effect. Regarding dissipated energy density, the damage of limestone specimen was defined without considering the influence of radial deformation, which made the damage value of cyclic loading segment higher at lower amplitude loads. The damage of cyclic loading segment was increased with the magnitude of load. When dissipated energy density was applied to define damage, the damage value at unloading segment was smaller than that of AE counts. Under higher cyclic loading values, rocks show obvious damage during both loading and unloading processes. Therefore, during deep rock excavation, the damages caused by the deformation recovery of unloading rocks could not be ignored when considering the damage caused by abutment pressure.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2024

Determination of jointed rock mass properties plays a significant role in the design and construction of underground structures such as tunneling and mining. Rock mass classification systems such as Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Rock Mass Index (RMi), Rock Mass Quality (Q), and deformation modulus (Em) are determined from the jointed rock masses. However, parameters of jointed rock masses can be affected by the tunnel depth below the surface due to the effect of the in situ stresses. In addition, the geomechanical properties of rocks change due to the effect of metamorphism. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to apply correlation analysis to investigate the relationships between rock mass properties and some parameters related to the depth of the tunnel studied. For this purpose, the field work consisted of determining rock mass parameters in a tunnel alignment (~7.1 km) at varying depths from 21 m to 431 m below ground surface. At the same excavation depths, thirty-seven rock types were also sampled and tested in the laboratory. Correlations were made between vertical stress and depth, horizontal/vertical stress ratio (k) and depth, k and Em, k and RMi, k and point load index (PLI), k and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), Em and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), UCS and PLI, UCS and BTS. Relationships were significant (significance level=0.000) at the confidence interval of 95% (r = 0.77-0.88) between the data pairs for the rocks taken from depths greater than 166 m where the ratio of horizontal to vertical stress is between 0.6 and 1.2. The in-situ stress parameters affected rock mass properties as well as metamorphism which affected the geomechanical properties of rock materials by affecting the behavior of minerals and textures within rocks. This study revealed that in-situ stress parameters and metamorphism should be reviewed when tunnel studies are carried out.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.217-229
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• 2024

Determining lateral earth pressure coefficient (EPC) K is a classic problem in geotechnical engineering. It is a key parameter for estimating the stresses in backfilled openings. For backfilled openings with rigid and immobile walls, some suggested using the Jaky's at-rest earth pressure coefficient K₀ while other suggested taking the Rankine's active earth pressure coefficient K_a. A single value was proposed for the entire backfilled opening. To better understand the distributions of stresses and K in a backfilled opening, a series of laboratory tests have been conducted. The horizontal and vertical normal stresses at the center and near the wall of the opening were measured. The values of K at the center and near the wall were then calculated with the measured horizontal and vertical normal stresses. The results show that the values of K are close to K_a at the center and close to K₀ near the wall. Furthermore, the experimental results show that the horizontal stress is almost the same at the center and near the wall, indicating a uniform distribution from the center to the wall. It can be estimated by analytical solutions using either K_a or K₀. The vertical stress is higher near the center than near the wall. Its analytical estimation can only be done by using K_a at the center and K₀ near the wall. Finally, the test results were used to calibrate a numerical model of FLAC2D, which was then used to analyze the influence of column size on the stresses and K in the backfilled opening.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.671-683
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• 2017

Groundwater control is a significant issue in most underground construction. An estimate of the inflow rate is required to size the pumping system, and treatment plant facilities for construction planning and cost assessment. An estimate of the excavation-induced drawdown of the initial groundwater level is required to evaluate potential environmental impacts. Analytical and empirical methods used in current engineering practice do not adequately account for the effect of the jointed-rock-mass anisotropy and heterogeneity. The impact of geostructural anisotropy of fractured rocks on tunnel inflows is addressed and the limitations of analytical solutions assuming isotropic hydraulic conductivity are discussed. In this paper the unexcavated Zagros tunnel route has been classified from groundwater flow point of view based on the combination of observed water inflow and numerical modeling results. Results show that, in this hard rock tunnel, flow usually concentrates in some areas, and much of the tunnel is dry. So the remaining unexcavated Zagros tunnel route has been categorized into three categories including high Risk, moderately risk and low risk. Results show that around 60 m of tunnel (3%) length can conduit the large amount of water into tunnel and categorized into high risk zone and about 45% of tunnel route has moderately risk. The reason is that, in this tunnel, most of the water flows in rock fractures and fractures typically occur in a clustered pattern rather than in a regular or random pattern.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.461-476
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• 2015

Rankine's theory of earth pressure cannot be directly employed to c-${\phi}$ soils backfill with a sloping ground subjected to complex loadings. In this paper, an analytical solution for active earth pressures on retaining structures of cohesive backfill with an inclined surface subjected to surcharge, pore water pressure and seismic loadings, are derived on the basis of the lower-bound theorem of limit analysis combined with Rankine's earth pressure theory and the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion. The generalized active earth pressure coefficients (dimensionless total active thrusts) are presented for use in comprehensive design charts which eliminate the need for tedious and cumbersome graphical diagram process. Charts are developed for rigid earth retaining structures under complex environmental loadings such as the surcharge, pore water pressure and seismic inertia force. An example is presented to illustrate the practical application for the proposed coefficient charts.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.515-530
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• 2016

In this paper, five different quantitative parameters were proposed for the characterization of the primary roughness which is the component of surface morphology that prevails during large strike-slip faults of more than 50 m. These parameters are mostly the anisotropic properties of rock surface morphology at various scales: (i) coefficient ($k_a$) and degree (${\delta}_a$) of apparent structural anisotropy of surface; (ii) coefficient ($k_r$) and degree (${\delta}_r$) of real structural anisotropy of surface; (iii) surface anisotropy function P(${\varphi}$); and (iv) degree of surface waviness ($W_s$). The coefficient and degree of apparent structural anisotropy allow qualifying the anisotropy/isotropy of a discontinuity according to a classification into four classes: anisotropic, moderately anisotropic/isotropic and isotropic. The coefficient and degree of real structural anisotropy of surface captures directly the actual surface anisotropy using geostatistical method. The anisotropy function predicts directional geometric properties of a surface of discontinuity from measurements in two orthogonal directions. These predicted data may subsequently be used to highlight the anisotropy/isotropy of the surface (radar plot). The degree of surface waviness allows qualifying the undulation of anisotropic surfaces. The proposed quantitative parameters allows their application at both lab and field scales.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.769-774
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• 2018

The growth of cities requires the construction of new tunnels close to the existing ones. Prediction and control of ground movement around the tunnel are important especially in urban area. The ground respond due to EPB (Earth Pressure Balance) pressure are investigated using the finite element method by ABAQUS in intersection of the triplet tunnels (Line 2, 3 and 4) of Mashhad Urban Railway in Iran. Special attention is paid to the effect of EPB pressure on the tunnel face displacement. The results of the analysis show that in EPB tunneling, surface settlement and face displacement is related to EPB pressure. Moreover, it is found that tunnel construction sequence is a great effect in face displacement value. For this study, this value in Line 4 where is excavated after line 3, is smaller than that line. In addition, the trend of the displacement curves are changed with the depth for all lines where is located in above and below, close to and above the centerline tunnel face for Line 2, 3 and 4, respectively. It is concluded that: (i) the surface settlement decreases with increasing EPB pressure on the tunnel face; (ii) at a constant EPB pressure, the tunnel face displacement values increase with depth. In addition, this is depended on the tunneling sequence; (iii) the trend of the displacement curves change with the depth.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.805-810
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• 2018

The abrasivity of rocks results in tool wear in rock excavation or drilling projects. It can affect significantly the cost and schedule of the projects performed in abrasive rock massess. For this reason, the understanding of the mechanism of rock abrasivity is very important for excavation projects. This study investigates the effect of strength on the LCPC abrasivity coefficient (LAC) for igneous rocks. The LCPT test, the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and the Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) tests were carried out on the igneous rock samples. The abrasive mineral content (AMC) was also determined for each rock type. First, the LAC was correlated to the AMC and a very good correlation was found between the two parameters. Then, the multiple regression analysis was carried out by including the AMC, UCS and BTS to the analysis in order to infer the effect of the strength on the LAC. It was seen that the correlation coefficients of multiple regression models were greater than that of the relation between the LAC and the AMC. It is concluded that the AMC is the dominant parameter determining the abrasivity of rock. On the other hand, the rock strength has also significant effect on rock abrasivity.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.285-300
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• 2017

Shallow coal resources are increasingly depleted, the mining has entered the deep stage. Due to "High stress, high gas, strong adsorption and low permeability" of coal seam, the gas drainage has become more difficult and the probability of coal and gas outburst accident increases. Based on the flow solid coupling theory of coal seam gas, the coupling model about stress and gas seepage of coal seam was set up by solid module and Darcy module in Comsol Multiphysics. The gas extraction effects were researched after applying hydraulic technology to increase permeability. The results showed that the effective influence radius increases with the expanded borehole radius and drainage time, decreases with initial gas pressure. The relationship between the effective influence radius and various factors presents in the form: $y=a+{\frac{b}{\left(1+{(\frac{x}{x_0})^p}\right)}}$. The effective influence radius with multiple boreholes is obviously larger than that of the single hole. According to the actual coal seam and gas geological conditions, appropriate layout way was selected to achieve the best effect. The field application results are consistent with the simulation results. It is found that the horizontal stress plays a very important role in coal seam drainage effect. The stress distribution change around the drilling hole will lead to the changes in porosity of coal seam, further resulting in permeability evolution and finally gas pressure distribution varies.