• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.499-507
• /
• 2018

In this paper splitting failure on rock pillars among the underground caverns has been studied. The damaged structure is considered to be thin plates and then the failure mechanism of rock pillars has been studied consequently. The critical load of buckling failure of the rock plate has also been obtained. Furthermore, with a combination of the basic energy dissipation principle, generalized formulas in estimating the number of splitting cracks and in predicting the maximum deflection of thin plate have been proposed. The splitting criterion and the mechanical model proposed in this paper are finally verified with numerical calculations in FLAC 3D.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.190-198
• /
• 1992

This study is to summarize the contents for the investigation and design of the construction for oil storage. Since underground caverns are large scale, in their construction one should consider the mechanical stability of caverns and the economic view of construction. On the basis of them, cavern's section and layout were determined and water curtains were designed to maintain hydraulic equilibrium so that gases were sealed tightly. Also the supporting criterial for rock bolt and stotcrete were determined by means of the classification of rock masses and the results of finite element method. The criteria of grouting reinforcement were presented according to the results of injection test in the pilot holes of working face.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.204-217
• /
• 1991

In this study, the elastic modulus and the initial stresses of the rock were calculated through back analysis of in-situ displacements measured during excavation of the underground caverns. Results from back analysis were employed to determine the redistributed stresses the displacements and relaxed zone in the rock around the caverns, which supplement the geological characterization results. To verify the reliability of the back analysis program the elastic modulus and the initial stresses were obtained from inputting the displacements calculated by FEM. These were compared with the assumed normalized stresses in FEM and were in a reasonable agreement with an error of more or less than 3%.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.170-185
• /
• 1994

Surface subsidence is one of the problems caused by mined out caverns. Depending on the geologic conditions and mining methods, subsidence can occur in various forms. This report describes the ground stability assessment for the mining induced subsidence area where unfilled caverns still exist abandoned. Geologic features which could affect the stability of the ground were investigated and all the possible geophysical methods were employed to obtain data that could explain the state of the ground in question. Basic rock tests were conducted from the drill cores and rock mass classification was performed by core logging and borehole camera investigation. Numerical analyses were carried out to predict the ground stability using data obtained by various investigations. The result could have been more reliable if in-situ stress were measure and reflected in the numerical analysis.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 1996.10a
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 1996

In this study, a stochastic finite element model is proposed with a view to consider the uncertainty of physical properties of discontinuous rock mass in the analysis of structural behavior on underground caverns. In so doing, the LHS(Latin Hypercube sampling) technique has been applied to make up weak points of the Crude Monte Carlo technique. Concerning the effect of discontinuities, a joint finite element model is used that is known to be superior in explaining faults, cleavage, things of that nature. To reflect the uncertainty of material properties, the variables such as the the elastic modulus, the poisson's ratio, the joint shear stiffness, and the joint normal stiffness have been used, all of which can be applicable through normal distribution, log-normal distribution, and rectangulary uniform distribution. The validity of the newly developed computer program has been confirmed in terms of verification examples. And, the applicability of the program has been tested in terms of the analysis of the circular cavern in discontinuous rock mass.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.115-124
• /
• 2015

Thermal energy storage (TES) is a technology that stores surplus thermal energy at high or low temperatures for later use when the customer needs it, not just when it is available. TES systems can help balance energy demand and supply and thus improve the overall efficiency of energy systems. Furthermore, the conversion and storage of intermittent renewable resources in the form of thermal energy can help increase the share of renewable resources in the energy mix which refers to the distribution of energy consumption from different sources, and to achieve this, it is essential to combine renewable resources with TES systems. Underground TES using rock caverns, known as cavern thermal energy storage (CTES), is a viable option for large-scale, long-term TES utilization although its applications are limited because of the high construction costs. Furthermore, the heat loss in CTES can significantly be reduced due to the heating of the surrounding rock occurred during long-term TES, which is a distinctive advantage over aboveground TES, in which the heat loss to the surroundings is significantly influenced by climate conditions. In this paper, we introduced important factors that should be considered in the shape and multiple layout design of TES caverns, and proposed guidelines for storage space design.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
• /
• v.23 no.A
• /
• pp.69-81
• /
• 2003

Numerical analysis is important for the design, construction and maintenance of large caverns. The rock mass contains generally discontinuities such as faults, joints and fissures. The mechanical behavior and geometric characteristics of these discontinuities would have a significant impact on the stability of the caverns. In this research the Distinct Element Method(DEM) was used to analyze the structural stability of the large cavern. The Barton-Bandis Joint Model (B-B J.M) was used as a constitutive model for the joint. In addition, two different cases 1) analysis with a support system and 2) analysis with no support system, were analyzed to optimize a support system and to investigate reinforcing effects of a support system. The most significant parameters of in-situ stress, JRC of in-situ natural joints, and spatial distribution characteristics of discontinuities were acquired through field investigation. Displacement (horizontal, joint shear), maximum joint opening, maximum and minimum principal stresses, range of relaxed zone, rockbolt axial forces and shotcrete stresses were calculated at each excavation stage. As a result of analysis the calculated values proved to be under the allowable value Rockbolts also proved to be an efficient support measure to control joint shear displacement which had significant effects on extending the relaxed zone. As a consequence, the structural stability of the cavern was assured with an appropriate support system.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.154-166
• /
• 2004

A numerical stability analysis was conducted on the large oil storage caverns excavated in a rock mass under high initial horizonal stress. The behaviors of the surrounding rock mass, rockbolts, and shotcrete were analyzedr and stability of the support members were assessed. For a proper support system design, the effect of the modelling technique, cavern shape and rockbolt length on the stability of the cavern was investigated. Results show that installation timing of supports and the change in cavern shape due to stepwise excavation affect the stress induced in support members. Also found was desperate need for a numerical technique which can properly reflect the behavior of the steel fiber reinforced shotcrete.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.297-306
• /
• 2011

In this paper, we performed thermodynamic energy balance analysis of the underground lined rock cavern for compressed air energy storage (CAES) using the results of multi-phase heat flow analysis to simulate complex groundwater-compressed air flow around the cavern as well as heat transfer to concrete linings and surrounding rock mass. Our energy balance analysis demonstrated that the energy loss for a daily compression and decompression cycle predominantly depends on the energy loss by heat conduction to the concrete linings and surrounding rock mass for a sufficiently air-tight system with low permeability of the concrete linings. Overall energy efficiency of the underground lined rock caverns for CAES was sensitive to air injection temperature, and the energy loss by heat conduction can be minimized by keeping the air injection temperature closer to the ambient temperature of the surroundings. In such a case, almost all the heat loss during compression phase was gained back in a subsequent decompression phase. Meanwhile, the influence of heat conductivity of the concrete linings to energy efficiency was negligible.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.248-258
• /
• 2002

The sixth underground pumped powerhouse cavern is now under construction in Korea. For the stability analysis for the caverns of the five underground powerhouses, finite element method was used. For the analysis, in-situ rock stress were measured by overcoring method. The stress measurement showed that initial horizontal to vertical stress ratio was 1.07-1.32 in low powerhouse sites. Rock mass strength and elasticity were assumed from rock core properties through engineering processes. So the ratio of input elasticity fur the analysis were about 0.16-0.55 to rock core elasticity. In most of the analysis, elasto-plastic condition with Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria were applied. But in one case, viscoelastic condition was applied, too. The input cohesion and internal friction angle were approximately 0.12-0.22, 0.6-0.87 to rock core strength parameters, respectively.