Krukovska V., Krukovskyi O., Vynohradov Y. Seepage of groundwater towards a tunnel excavated in fractured rock
- Details
- Parent Category: Geo-Technical Mechanics, 2025
- Category: Geo-Technical Mechanics, 2025, Issue 174
Geotech. meh. 2025, 174, 58-71
SEEPAGE OF GROUNDWATER TOWARDS A TUNNEL EXCAVATED IN FRACTURED ROCK
1M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
2Branch for Physics of Mining Processes of the M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the NAS of Ukraine
UDC 622.841:622.51.2
Language: English
Abstract. Groundwater represents one of the key factors affecting the stability and safety of tunnels, particularly during the early stages of construction, when temporary support and lining have not yet been installed. Delays at this stage may lead to increased rock mass deformation, widening of the permeable zone, opening of fractures, and significant groundwater inflows, potentially resulting in structural hazards and adverse environmental impacts. To address these challenges, this study develops a finite element model to investigate the coupled processes of rock mass deformation and groundwater flow into a tunnel excavated in hard rocks with different degrees of disturbance.
The results show that intact rock masses at a depth of 50 m undergo purely elastic deformations, with negligible tunnel wall displacements and minimal changes in permeability, indicating a stable geological environment. In contrast, disturbed zones exhibit significant hydro-mechanical coupling effects. With increasing disturbance, rock strength decreases, the relative principal stress differential is reduced, and susceptibility to brittle or plastic failure rises. Intense fracturing causes block separation, while saturated kaolinized zones undergo plastic deformation due to clay softening. These conditions result in pronounced tunnel wall displacements, enhanced permeability near the excavation boundary, and, in highly fractured rocks, the development of a wide depression zone in pore pressure. Such alterations in the hydrogeological regime can lower groundwater levels, impact aquifers and natural springs, and trigger soil settlement due to loss of pore pressure.
The findings emphasize the importance of minimizing the time between excavation and support installation, especially when tunneling through disturbed geological zones. Since unpredicted fault zones and fracture networks may not be fully identified during site investigation, tunnel support design should include adaptive reinforcement strategies to ensure safety and environmental protection. The study provides novel insights into the short-term interaction between rock mass disturbance and groundwater flow, contributing to improved risk assessment and design optimization in underground construction.
Keywords: tunnel, fractured rock, groundwater flow, hydraulic influence of unsupported tunnel, numerical simulation.
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Aboutt heauthors
Krukovska Viktoriia, Doctor of Technical Sciences (D. Sc), Senior Researcher, Senior Researcher in Department of Dynamic Manifestations of Rock Pressure, M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IGTM, NASU), Dnipro, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Corresponding author), ORCID 0000-0002-7817-4022
Krukovskyi Olexandr, Corresponding Member of NAS of Ukraine, Doctor of Technical Sciences (D. Sc), Deputy Director of the Institute, M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IGTM, NASU), Dnipro, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID 0000-0002-2659-5095
VynohradovYurii, Candidate of Technical Sciences (Ph.D), Researcher in Department of Control of Rocks State, Branch for Physics of Mining Processes of the M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Dnipro, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID 0000-0002-4823-6480