Zonal disintegration mechanism of isotropic rock masses around a deep spherical tunnel

In order to investigate zonal disintegration mechanism of isotropic rock masses around a deep spherical tunnel, a new mechanical model subjected to dynamic unloading under hydrostatic pressure condition is proposed. The total elastic stress-field distributions is determined using the elastodynamic equation. The effects of unloading rate and dynamic mechanical parameters of isotropic deep rock masses on the zonal disintegration phenomenon of the surrounding rock masses around a deep spherical tunnel as well as the total elastic stress field distributions are considered. The number and size of fractured and non-fractured zones are determined by using the Hoek-Brown criterion. Numerical computation is carried out. It is found from numerical results that the number of fractured zones increases with increasing the disturbance coefficient, in-situ stress, unloading time and unloading rate, and it decreases with increasing parameter geological strength index, the strength parameter and the uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock.