Rock Engineering (Elective I)

Example 1: Estimate the magnitude of tangential stress at the roof and wall of an unlined pressure
shaft using following input parameters.
Roof factor = 4
Wall factor = 2.5
Vertical stress = 18 MPa
Solution:
We have;
Tangential stress at roof (σtf) = (A*K-1) σz
Tangential stress at roof (σwt) = (B-K) σz
Where,
A = Roof factor (1.8 – 5.0) = 4
B = Wall factor (1.5 – 3.9) = 2.5

Horizontal stress σ x
σz = = =( valuelies 0−3.5)
vertical Stress σz
1 1
σ x = σ z = ∗18=6 MPa
3 3
σz = vertical stress = 18 MPa
σx 6
K= = =0.33
σ z 18

Now,
σtf = (4*0.33-1) * 18 = 6 MPa
σwt = (2.5 – 0.33) * 18 = 39.06 MPa

Example 2: Draw the distribution of tangential stress surrounding the circular opening of tunnel for
the following conditions and critically discuss the influence of rock stress anisotropy for above
planned structure.
a. Major principal stress / Minor principal stress = 12/12 (MPa)
b. Major principal stress / Minor principal stress = 12/8 (MPa)
c. Major principal stress / Minor principal stress = 12/4 (MPa)

Solution:
Here,

By: Bharat Bdr. Dhakal Page 1 of 7

 Rock Engineering (Elective I)
Major Principal Stress = σ 1

Minor Principal Stress = σ 2

σ 1 12
= =1
σ 3 12
σ 1 12
= =1.5
σ3 8
σ 1 12
= =3
σ3 4

Polar coordinates used & 0 represented by the tunnel contour. Poisson’s ratio = 0.25.
σ t max =3 σ 1−σ 3=3∗12−12=24 σ1
For =1
σ t min =3 σ 3−σ 1=3∗12−12=24 σ3

σ t max =3 σ 1−σ 3=3∗12−8=28 σ1

For =1.5
σ t min =3 σ 3−σ 1=3∗8−12=12 σ3

σ t max =3 σ 1−σ 3=3∗12−8=28 σ1

For =3.0
σ3
σ t min =3 σ 3−σ 1=3∗8−12=12

Now, draw these maximum and minimum value; which is as shown below:

By: Bharat Bdr. Dhakal Page 2 of 7

 Rock Engineering (Elective I)

Example 3: Calculate the water flow into tunnel in liter/min/meter for following conditions:
Length of tunnel = 300m
Potential active head = 3 MPa
Distance between length axis and ground water table = 20m
Equivalent radius = 3m
Specific permeability = 10-15 m2
µw = 9.81*10-10

Solution:
Given;
Qw = ? K = 10-15 m2
µw = 9.81*10-10 p = 3 MPa = 3*106 Pa
L = 300 m D = 20 m
r=3m
We know,
According to Tokheim & Janbu
2π . K .L. p
Qw =
μw . G

Where,
Q w = inflow rate (m3/s)

K= Specific permeability (m2)

L = Length of tunnel (m)
μw = Dynamic viscosity of water (kg/(m.s))

G = Geometry factor
(2 D−r )( L+ 2r )
G=ln
r [ L+2 ( 2 D−r ) ]
D = Distance between the length axis of the excavation & groundwater table.
r = equivalent radius (idealized geometry)
Now,
(2∗20−3)(300+2∗3) 11322
G=ln =ln =ln10.090=2.31
3[300+2∗ 2∗20−3 ]
( ) 1122

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 Rock Engineering (Elective I)
Again,

2 π∗10−15∗300∗3∗106 3
Qw = −10
=2495.40 m /sec
9.81∗10 ∗2.31
Convert this value if required in l/min/meter. {1m3 = 1000 ltrs.}

Note:
If specific permeability is not given,
k .μ
K= =… … … … … m 2
ρ.g
μ = dynamic viscosity of fluid = 9.81*10-10 N/(m.s) for pure water at 10 °C
k = hydraulic conductivity (m/s)
ρ = density of fluid.
g = gravitational acceleration

Example 4: A 15m span chamber for an underground mine to be excavated in dry conditions (J w =
1). The rock mass contains two sets of joints controlling stability (J n = 4). The joints are undulating,
rough and unweathered and clean (Jr = 3, Ja = 1). RQD is in the range of 85%. Estimate the rock
support requirement for the above planned structure assuming reduction factor = 15 and excavation
support ratio = 1.6

Solution:
Given;
Jw = 1 Jn = 4
Jr = 3 Ja = 1
RQD = 85% ESR = 1.6
SRF = 15
We know,
RQD 85
∗J r ∗3
Jn 4
∗J w ∗1
Ja 1
Q= = =4.25
SRF 15
This shows rock quality is fair
Span diameter∨height ( m) 15
Equivalent dimensions = = =9.375 m
ESR 1.6

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 Rock Engineering (Elective I)
Use the graph to analysis the results.

Analyze these results in graph from the theoretical knowledge.

In addition to rock mass quality, the Q-method also takes into consideration the dimension of the
excavation and the safety requirements. As shown in Fig. 6.2, dimension and degree of safety are
included in the parameter "Equivalent Dimension". The parameter ESR ("Excavation Support
Ratio") is a number between 0.8 and 5.0 which represents the required level of safety against rock

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 Rock Engineering (Elective I)
fall. Bartan et al. recommend for instance an ESR-value of 1.0 for hydropower stations, a value of
1.3 for access tunnels and surge chambers, and a value of 1.6 for water tunnels for hydropower.

Example 5: Define the location of an unlined pressure shaft (45 degree inclined) for a hydropower
project assuming that bottom of valley where the power station is located 100 m.a.s.l, the top of
valley side is 600 m.a.s.l and maximum water level at intake reservoir 390 m.a.s.l.

Solution:
Given,
α = 45°
d = 600-100 = 500 m
Maximum water level at intake reservoir = 390 m.a.s.l
H = 390-100 = 290 m
H 290
Now, = =0.58
d 500
An example is shown in Figure below. To make the model dimensionless, the static water pressure is
expressed as the ratio H/d, where the water head (H) is in the same unit as the valley depth (d), e.g. in
meter. The solid curved lines run through points where the internal water pressure in a shaft equals
the minor principal stresses in the surrounding rock mass. The dotted lines represent σ3 isobars.

Here,

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 Rock Engineering (Elective I)
0
γ r∗h∗cos α =0.0275∗500∗cos 45 = 9.72 MN/m2 = 9720000 N/m2
γ r * H = 10*290 = 2900 N/m2

γ r∗h∗cos α > ¿ γ r ¿ * H

The normal stresses across all discontinuities in the rock mass have to be higher than the water
pressure. If not, hydraulic jacking of the discontinuities may take place, and unacceptable leakages
will be the result.
At all points below the 0.58 line, the minor principal stress exceeds the ""water pressure in an
unlined shaft, and hence no hydraulic jacking will occur. For a safety factor F = 1.2, the critical line
will be 1.2 * 0.58 = 0.7 line. In Figure, a 45° inc1ined shaft is placed in this position.

Example 6: The three discontinuity sets represents an area (ref. table below). Find mode of failure
direction of failure and angle of potential failure plane if angle of slope face is 65 degree in the dip
direction of 185 degree.

Joint set number Dip/Dip direction Joint Spacing Roughness

(Degree) (cm)
1. Foliation (J1) 45/105 1-2 Planner to undulating
2. Joint (J2) 70/235 18-40 Undulating
3. Joint (J2) 12/195 8-30 Undulating

Solution:

By: Bharat Bdr. Dhakal Page 7 of 7