Deformation warning and microseismicity assessment of collapse in fault development area of Yebatan Hydropower Station

Abstract

The collapse of rock masses in fault-developed zones poses significant safety challenges during the excavation of high-stress underground caverns. This study investigates the spatiotemporal evolution of the collapse mechanisms of the cavern in the Yebatan Hydropower Station through using microseismic (MS) monitoring and displacement measurements. We developed a multi-parameter deformation early warning model that integrates three critical indicators: deformation rate, rate increment, and tangential angle of the deformation time curve. The results of the early warning model show a significant and abrupt increase in the deformation of the rock mass during the collapse process. The safety and stability of the local cavern in the face of excavation-induced disturbances are meticulously assessed utilizing MS data. Spatiotemporal analysis of the MS monitoring indicates a high frequency of MS events during the blasting phase, with a notable clustering of these events in the vicinity of the fault. These research results provide a valuable reference for risk warnings and stability assessments in the fault development zones of analogous caverns.

Keywords

underground cavern / collapse failure / deformation warning / microseismic monitoring / stability analysis

References

[1] Szwedzicki T. Geotechnical precursors to large-scale ground collapse in mines [J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2001, 38(7): 957-965

[2] Song L-b, Jiang Q, Du S-g, et al.. Optimizing profile line interval for enhanced accuracy in rock joint morphology and shear strength assessments [J]. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 2024, 34(5): 587-608

[3] Zhao J-s, Jiang Q, Pei S-f, et al.. Microseismicity and focal mechanism of blasting-induced block falling of intersecting chamber of large underground cavern under high geostress [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2023, 30: 542-554

[4] Duan S-q, Gao P, Xu D-p, et al.. A new perspective on the semi-quantitative meso-structural failure mechanism of deep weak interlayer zone under different stress paths [J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2024, 57(5): 3171-3195

[5] Wang S-jing. Geological nature of rock and its deduction for rock mechanics [J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 2009, 28(3): 433-450(in Chinese)

[6] Wang Z-n, Wang J-q, Wu H-n, et al.. Investigation of the microstructure, mechanical properties and thermal degradation kinetics of EPDM under thermostress conditions used for joint sealing of floating prefabricated concrete platform of offshore wind power [J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2025, 485: 141897

[7] Suchowerska A M, Merifield R S, Carter J P, et al.. Prediction of underground cavity roof collapse using the Hoek-Brown failure criterion [J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2012, 44: 93-103

[8] Li A, Dai F, Wu W, et al.. Deformation characteristics of sidewall and anchorage mechanisms of prestressed cables in layered rock strata dipping steeply into the inner space of underground powerhouse cavern [J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2022, 159: 105234

[9] Martin C D, Kaiser P K, Mccreath D R. Hoek-Brown parameters for predicting the depth of brittle failure around tunnels [J]. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 1999, 36(1): 136-151

[10] Cheng Y, Song Z-p, Xu Z-w, et al.. Failure mechanism and infrared radiation characteristic of hard siltstone induced by stratification effect [J]. Journal of Mountain Science, 2024, 21(31058-1074

[11] Liu L, Li S-j, Zheng M-z, et al.. Inverting the rock mass P-wave velocity field ahead of deep buried tunnel face while borehole drilling [J]. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 2024, 34(5): 681-697

[12] Zhao J-s, Duan S-q, Chen B-r, et al.. Failure mechanism of rock masses with complex geological conditions in a large underground cavern: A case study [J]. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 2024, 177: 108439

[13] Liu H, Zhu P-p, Liu Q-s, et al.. Equivalent nodal intensity-based contact model for 3D finite-discrete element method in rock fracturing analysis [J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2025, 58: 6059-6086

[14] Liu Y-w, Liu A, Liu S-m, et al.. Nano-scale mechanical properties of constituent minerals in shales investigated by combined nanoindentation statistical analyses and SEM-EDS-XRD techniques [J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2022, 159: 105187

[15] Cheng Y, Song Z-p, Yang T-t, et al.. Investigating the aging damage evolution characteristics of layered hard sandstone using digital image correlation [J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2022, 353: 128838

[16] Zhao J-s, Chen B-r, Jiang Q, et al.. In-situ comprehensive investigation of deformation mechanism of the rock mass with weak interlayer zone in the Baihetan hydropower station [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2024, 148: 105690

[17] Zhao Y, Yang T-h, Zhang P-h, et al.. The analysis of rock damage process based on the microseismic monitoring and numerical simulations [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2017, 69: 1-17

[18] Li P-x, Chen B-r, Xiao Y-x, et al.. Rockburst and microseismic activity in a lagging tunnel as the spacing between twin TBM excavated tunnels changes: A case from the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2023, 132: 104884

[19] Liu G-f, Liu Z-q, Xu D-p, et al.. Prediction method of rock spalling risk in large underground cavern excavation based on Bayesian network: A case study from the Baihetan hydropower station, China [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2025, 158: 106381

[20] Si X-f, Luo Y, Luo S. Influence of lithology and bedding orientation on failure behavior of “D” shaped tunnel [J]. Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics, 2024, 129: 104219

[21] Chen B-r, Wang X, Zhu X-h, et al.. Real-time arrival picking of rock microfracture signals based on convolutional-recurrent neural network and its engineering application [J]. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 2024, 16(3): 761-777

[22] Xu H, Zhang Z, Zhang Y-j, et al.. Effects of natural stiff discontinuities on the deformation and failure mechanisms of deep hard rock under true triaxial conditions [J]. Engineering Failure Analysis, 2024, 158: 108034

[23] Zheng Z, Deng B, Liu H, et al.. Microdynamic mechanical properties and fracture evolution mechanism of monzogabbro with a true triaxial multilevel disturbance method [J]. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 2024, 34(3385-411

[24] Xiao Y-x, Feng X-t, Feng G-l, et al.. Mechanism of evolution of stress–structure controlled collapse of surrounding rock in caverns: a case study from the Baihetan hydropower station in China [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2016, 51: 56-67

[25] Feng R, Luo H-r, Chen Z-w, et al.. Integrated microseismic and geomechanical analysis of hydraulic fracturing induced fault reactivation: A case study in Sichuan Basin, Southwest China [J]. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources, 2023, 9(148

[26] Zhao J-s, Jiang Q, Lu J-f, et al.. Rock fracturing observation based on microseismic monitoring and borehole imaging: In situ investigation in a large underground cavern under high geostress [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2022, 126: 104549

[27] Ma C-c, Jiang Y-p, Li T-b, et al.. Gravitational search algorithm for microseismic source location in tunneling: Performance analysis and engineering case study [J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2019, 52(103999-4016

[28] Dong L-j, Tang Z, Li X-b, et al.. Discrimination of mining microseismic events and blasts using convolutional neural networks and original waveform [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2020, 27(103078-3089

[29] Zhao J-s, Chen B-r, Jiang Q, et al.. In-situ comprehensive investigation of deformation mechanism of the rock mass with weak interlayer zone in the Baihetan hydropower station [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2024, 148: 105690

[30] Fan X-m, Xu Q, Liu J, et al.. Successful early warning and emergency response of a disastrous rockslide in Guizhou Province [J]. Landslides, 2019, 16(122445-2457

[31] Lu Y, Jin C-y, Wang Q, et al.. Deformation and failure characteristic of open-pit slope subjected to combined effects of mining blasting and rainfall infiltration [J]. Engineering Geology, 2024, 331: 107437

[32] Tender design report for the diversion power generation project of the Yebatan hydropower station on the Jinsha River [R]. Chengdu: Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited, 2018. (in Chinese)

[33] The Ministry of Water Resources of China. China national standards 50218—2014. Standard for engineering classification of rock masses [S], 2014, Beijing, China Planning Press(in Chinese)

[34] Feng G-l, Feng X-t, Chen B-r, et al.. Microseismic sequences associated with rockbursts in the tunnels of the Jinping II hydropower station [J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2015, 80: 89-100

[35] Liu X-y, Xu D-p, Jiang Q, et al.. Excavation response and reinforcement practice of large underground caverns within high-stress hard rock masses: The case of Shuangjiangkou hydropower station, China [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2024, 147: 105698

[36] Liu G-f, Liu Z-q, Feng G-l, et al.. Disaster characteristics and mechanisms of the time-delayed rockburst development process in tunnels at 2500 m depth [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2025, 159: 106474

[37] Zhang G, Li H, Wang M, et al.. Crack initiation of granite under uniaxial compression tests: A comparison stud [J]. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 2020, 12: 656-666

[38] Zhang J-z, Zhang T, Wang X-min. A peridynamic strainburst model for evaluating the strainburst and its dependency on the loading and unloading [J]. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 2025, 324: 111267

[39] Li P-x, Wang Z-w, Chen B-r, et al.. Rockburst hazard assessment and prevention and control strategies in the Ruihai gold mine [J]. Frontiers in Earth Science, 2024, 11: 1348366

[40] Xie Y, Pan P-z, Wang Z-f, et al.. Advanced multi-crack simulations in rocks using dynaset mesh refinement and dual mapping [J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2025, 185: 107318

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Central South University