Empirical and numerical approach to stability analysis of pumped storage cavern in Rudbar, Loresan, Iran

Caverns are underground superstructures which their popularity has been increased due to their various and strategic applications, numerous advantages such as low initial and operating costs, and free form designing. The case study in this paper is done on pumped storage cavern in Rudbar, Lorestan, Iran. In this area a power station pumped storage is under construction which has a main cavern with dimensions of 26.8 x 50 x 130.5 meters for width, height and length respectively. The geomechanical data of this cavern was analyzed with empirical method (RMR). Although, implementing this method provides a good outline to the task; but it cannot be an exact method for a definite statement. Therefore, the structural analysis was done through numerical modellings. Comparing empirical and numerical methods implies that numerical results are more reliable. However, proposing a supporting system depends on more factors such as financial issues, construction utilization time and application, etc.