Conceptualization and preliminary study of engineering disturbed rock dynamics

TLDR

Large engineering projects such as the Sichuan–Tibet Railway cross earthquake‑active and geologically complex zones, where dynamic disturbances and disasters pose significant challenges, prompting the definition of engineering disturbed rock dynamics as the study of rock dynamic behaviors and responses during construction and operation. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for engineering disturbed rock dynamics to systematically study rock dynamic behavior and response to engineering disturbances, establish a 3D rock dynamic theory, and develop disaster‑prevention and control measures. The authors employ a combined theoretical, laboratory, numerical, and in‑situ approach, classifying rock loading states by strain rate, and investigating wave propagation, attenuation, superposition, and dynamic responses under blasting, drilling, and TBM disturbances across varied depths and strain rates. Preliminary results indicate that dynamic disturbances during construction and operation significantly disturb rock masses, and the proposed conceptualization promises to underpin a 3D rock dynamic theory and provide technical foundations for safer design, construction, and operation of large engineering projects.

Abstract

Abstract Many large engineering projects, e.g., the Sichuan–Tibet Railway, inevitably cross the earthquake active areas and the geology complicated zones, facing the challenges of dynamic disturbances and disasters. In view of this, the conceptualization of engineering disturbed rock dynamics is proposed in this paper, aiming to systematically study the rock dynamic behavior and response subjected to engineering disturbances, to establish the 3D rock dynamic theory, and to develop the disaster prevention and control technical measures. The classification standards of rock loading states based on strain rate are summarized and analyzed. The engineering disturbed rock dynamics is defined as the theoretical and applied science of rock dynamic behaviors, dynamic responses and their superposition caused by dynamic disturbances during engineering construction and operation periods. To achieve the goals of the proposed engineering disturbed rock dynamics, a combined methodology of theoretical analysis, laboratory experiment, numerical simulation and in situ tests is put forward. The associated research scopes are introduced, i.e., experimental and theoretical study of engineering disturbed rock dynamics, wave propagation, attenuation and superposition in rock masses, rock dynamic response of different loading conditions, dynamic response of engineering projects under construction disturbance and disaster mitigation techniques, and dynamic response of major engineering projects under operation disturbance and safety guarantee measures. Some theoretical, experimental and field preliminary studies were performed, including dynamic behavior of disturbed rock at varied depth and strain rates, dynamic response of rock mass subjected to blasting excavation disturbance and dynamic drilling disturbance, and disturbance of rock mass subjected to TBM excavation. Preliminary results showed that the rock masses are significantly disturbed by dynamic disturbances during construction and operation periods of engineering projects. The innovative conceptualization of engineering disturbed rock dynamics and the expected associated outcomes could facilitate establishing the 3D rock dynamic theory and offering theoretical fundamentals and technical guarantees for safety and reliability of the design, construction and operation of modern large engineering.