Experimental investigation of fracture propagation and inrush characteristics in tunnel construction

It is well known that water inrush during excavation is one of the greatest challenges in modern underground engineering. However, the fracture propagation and inrush characteristics induced by excavation and high-pressure water are poorly understood due to the lack of an appropriate experimental apparatus and an online and real-time monitoring approach. Accordingly, a model test system for the simulation of water inrush during excavation and water injection was developed. Acoustic emission (AE) monitoring during excavation and injection was used to investigate the fracture propagation and water-inrush channel formation in the host rock. Three distinct stages were observed in the AEs over time and were related to the fracture propagation during excavation and injection, namely fracture initiation, fracture extension, and unstable fracture growth (fracture network). The AE results exhibited an increase in AE activities and changes in the AE spatial correlation during the excavation and during the increase in injection pressure. A comparison of photographs of the water-inrush locations and the mechanical characteristics obtained from the AE test verified the proposed method. The results provide valuable insights and a suitable method for the investigation of the mechanism of water inrush in underground engineering.