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The application of FLAC and FLAC3D to the

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 4th International FLAC Symposium on Numerical Modeling in Geomechanics 2006 Hart & Varona (eds.) Paper: 02-01
2006 Itasca Consulting Group, Inc., Minneapolis, ISBN 0-9767577-0-2

The application of FLAC and FLAC3D to the support of an underground

cavern
T. Wang
Itasca Consulting China, Ltd., Wuhan, China
Wu Han University, Wuhan, China
H. Zhu
Itasca Consulting Canada, Inc., Sudbury, Canada
Itasca Consulting China, Ltd., Wuhan, China

ABSTRACT: The bolting pattern optimization to support the design for the Yantan underground powerhouse
in China is described in this paper. The empirical approach Q-Chart was used to examine the proposed bolting
pattern of 1.5 m spacing and 12 m length for the sidewalls and to determine any possible alternatives. Nu-
merical programs FLAC and FLAC3D were then employed to quantitatively verify these alternatives and to
optimize the design. The simulation results using both FLAC and FLAC3D agreed that the 11 m length was
appropriate and the spacing could increase by 0.2 m up to 1.7 m. This suggested pattern was expected to pro-
vide sufficient support to the sidewalls in terms of the capability of controlling rock mass deformation and
yielding.

1 INTRODUCTION The support pattern for this large-size cavern is

Yantan hydropower project is located on Hongshui
River, Guangxi Province, south of China. An addi-
tional underground powerhouse is currently under
construction to install two more turbines to this ex-
isting PowerStation and to create 600 MW more ca-
pacity.
The powerhouse is being excavated in diabase at
the maximum depth of 180 m below the surface. The
size of this cavern measures 24 m in width, 64.5 m
in height and 150 m in length, as shown in Figure 1.
Stress measurements with Hydrofracture techniques
suggest a maximum principal stress magnitude of
13.5 MPa, oriented sub-horizontally and approxi-
mately parallel to the cavern.
one of the engineering concerns. Generally, the bolt-
ing patterns for this cavern were initially proposed
by using a criterion developed domestically for hy-
dropower development only in China, which is es-
sentially similar to the Q-Chart. In order to assess
the proposed bolting parameters, the Q-chart was
adopted as an empirically approach. FLAC was then
employed to specify and optimize the proposed bolt-
ing pattern in more detail. FLAC3D was finally used
to verify the parameters three dimensionally. This
paper presents the empirical comparison by means
of Q-Chart, optimization with FLAC and verification
with FLAC3D, respectively.
2 EXPIRITICAL DESIGN AND VERIFICTION
OF BOLTING PATTERN

A bolting pattern of 1.5 m spacing by 12 m length

was proposed as one of the options to support the
sidewalls of this powerhouse, based on the code of
underground engineering support design developed
and used particularly for hydropower engineering in
China. One of the interests in such a proposed pat-
tern is to look for alternatives that are expected to
provide sufficient ground support at lower cost.
The widely used Q-chart, as shown in Figure 2,
was used as the first step of the optimization to find
any optional patterns. This empirical approach is ba-
sically the same as the method suggested in the
guidelines, and thus allows various patterns to be
Figure 1. Cross-section of the underground powerhouse cavern. proposed.
1

Figure 2. Estimated support categories based on the tunneling
quality index Q.
Site characterization indicated a good ground
condition with the value of Q in the range between
40 and 100. Considering the high-class safety re-
quirement of such a long lifetime project, the value
of 1.0 was chosen for ESR (Excavation Span Ratio)
in the Q-chart. According to Figure 2, the bolting
parameters can thus be preliminarily determined as
follows (unshotcreted): Sidewalls (height = 64.5 m);
Length = 12 m; and Spacing = 1.5-2.0 m.
Compared to the proposed original design, it can
be seen that a larger bolting spacing can be consid-
ered.
3 OPTIMIZATION WITH FLAC
As noted above, the proposed original design of
bolting pattern may be optimized when com-
paring the parameters suggested by the Q-Chart. A
further investigation was thus launched by using
FLAC.
3.1 FLAC model setting
A series of FLAC model runs were launched with
various scenarios of different bolting parameters.
This task was carried out with a simple FLAC model
of the sidewalls of the main powerhouse, as shown
in Figure 3.
Rock mass properties were estimated by means of
Hoek-Brown methodology and are listed in Table 1.
Properties used for bolts are listed in Table 2. Four
types of bolting spacing 1.5, 1.7, 2.0, and 2.4 m
were examined, with the combinations of various
bolt lengths from 3 m to 14 m increasing by an in-
terval of 1 m.
2
Table 1. Rock mass material properties for FLAC.
__________________________________________________
Density 2600 Kg/m3
UCS 140 MPa
Shear modulus (G) 8.75E9 Pa
Bulk modulus (K) 11.67E9 Pa
Cohesion (c) 3.0 MPa
Friction angle () 50
__________________________________________________
Table 2. Bolt properties for FLAC.
__________________________________________________
Area 6.2E-4 m2
Youngs modulus 9E10 Pa
Yield 5e5 N
Sbond 8E5 N/m
Kbond 1.5E10 N/m/m
__________________________________________________
Figure 3. Simplified FLAC model of the main powerhouse.
3.2 Analysis of FLAC simulation results
In practice, it is almost impossible to explore all of
the joint systems or to investigate all their mechani-
cal characteristics and implement them explicitly in
a theoretical model. Thus, a practical equivalent
continuum approach, in which properties are as-
signed to the rock mass in such a way as to represent
the contributions of the intact rock and joints to-
wards its overall response, has become very popular
in recent times. In this study, the method provided
by Hoek & Brown (1997) was used.
Figure 4 presents the maximum displacement that
occurred with various bolting patterns (combinations
of the length and spacing). From a deformation con-
trol point of view, it shows that the bolting lengths
over 11 m make little difference, which indicates
that the length of 11 m would be efficient to control
rock mass deformation on both sidewalls.
Figure 4 also shows that the spacing of 1.7 m can
provide almost equivalent support to the rock mass
when compared to the spacing of 1.5 m. However,
the maximum displacements on the sidewalls would
appear relatively larger when the spacing increases
from 1.7 m to 2.0 m and 2.4 m.
 50
2. 4

DI SPLACEMENT( MM)
49 2
1. 7
48
1. 5
47

46

45
0 5 10 15
LENGTH OF BOLT( M)

Figure 4. Sidewall maximum displacement at various bolting

patterns.

Figure 6. FLAC3D model geometry and grids.

The bolting pattern of 1.7 m in spacing by 11 m in
length would be an optimized combination when
considering the capacity of the bolting system to The effect of the bolting system was assessed in
control rock mass displacements, if the maximum terms of rock mass deformation and yielding with
displacement of 46 mm is acceptable. the two scenarios: taking and not taking the bolting
The bolting pattern can be examined in terms of system into account.
areas that the rock mass are subjected to yielding. Figure 7 shows that the adopted bolting system
Figure 5 illustrates the total yielded areas of rock provides the rock mass with significant support in
mass in the sidewalls under various bolting patterns. terms of deformation control, when comparing the
It indicates that the pattern of 1.7 m in spacing and two scenarios with and without the bolting system.
11 m in length is expected to efficiently control rock Rock mass deformation has dropped significantly.
mass yielding. Overall the pattern of 1.7 m in spac- The maximum displacement on the sidewall has de-
ing and 11 m in length is expected to be the opti- ceased from 66.8 mm to 42.3 mm after installing
mized pattern for such cavern. bolts.

600
FLAC3D 2.10
1. 5M Step 20000 Model Projection
550 13:57:50 Fri Jan 06 2006
1. 7M
Center: Rotation:
AREA OF PLASTI C( M2)

500 2M X: 5.000e+001 X: 90.000

Y: 4.000e+001 Y: 0.000
2. 4M Z: -7.500e+001 Z: 0.000
Dist: 7.083e+002 Size: 2.254e+002
450
Plane Origin: Plane Orientation:
X: 0.000e+000 Dip: 0.000
Y: 0.000e+000 DD: 0.000
400 Z: -6.400e+001

Contour of Displacement Mag.

350 Plane: on
Magfac = 1.000e+000
1.8196e-004 to 2.5000e-003
300 2.5000e-003 to 5.0000e-003
5.0000e-003 to 7.5000e-003
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7.5000e-003 to 1.0000e-002
1.0000e-002 to 1.2500e-002
LENGTH OF BOLT( M) 1.2500e-002 to 1.5000e-002
1.5000e-002 to 1.7500e-002
1.7500e-002 to 2.0000e-002
Figure 5. Total areas of yielding rock mass under various bolt- 2.0000e-002 to 2.2500e-002
2.2500e-002 to 2.3259e-002

ing patterns. Interval = 2.5e-003

Displacement
Plane: on

4 VALIDATION WITH FLAC3D FLAC3D 2.10

Step 20000 Model Projection
13:56:14 Fri Jan 06 2006

FLAC3D was used to validate the optimized bolting Center:

X: 5.000e+001
Rotation:
X: 90.000

pattern three dimensionally, considering that excava- Y: 4.000e+001

Z: -7.500e+001
Dist: 7.083e+002
Y: 0.000
Z: 0.000
Size: 2.254e+002
BOLT
BOLT
tions proceed in 3D space. Figure 6 is the con- Plane Origin: Plane Orientation:

structed FLAC3D model geometry, in which two hy-

X: 0.000e+000 Dip: 0.000
Y: 0.000e+000 DD: 0.000
Z: -6.400e+001

draulic tunnels, discharge tunnels, and transmission Contour of Displacement Mag.

tunnels are considered connecting to the cavern.
Plane: on
Magfac = 1.000e+000
1.9923e-004 to 1.0000e-003

In this FLAC3D model, the optimized bolting pat- 2.0000e-003 to 3.0000e-003

4.0000e-003 to 5.0000e-003
6.0000e-003 to 7.0000e-003
tern of 1.7 m (spacing) by 11 m (length) was 8.0000e-003 to 9.0000e-003
1.0000e-002 to 1.1000e-002
1.2000e-002 to 1.3000e-002
adopted. The geomechanics settings are the same as 1.4000e-002 to 1.5000e-002
1.5000e-002 to 1.5686e-002

the above FLAC simulation. Rock mass was re- Interval = 1.0e-003
SEL Geometry
moved by nine excavation steps as color-coded in Magfac = 1.000e+000

Figure 6. Excavation and bolting proceed sequen-

tially to closely simulate the real construction proce- Figure 7. Cross-section views showing displacement distribu-
tions without (above) and with (below) the bolting system.
dures.
3
 Similarly, the bolting system has played an im- The empirical approach does provide a good start
portant role in controlling rock mass yielding when for using numerical methods to design bolting sys-
comparing the two scenarios, as shown in Figure 8. tems.
Yielding can develop to a relatively large depth from
the sidewall if there is no bolting system provided.
Figure 8 shows that the rock mass has yielded REFERENCES
to a depth from 4 to 5 m near the connection areas
between the cavern and other tunnels. The yielding Barton, N.R., Lien, R. & Lunde, J. 1974. Engineering classifi-
has been effectively controlled by means of cation of rock masses for the design of tunnel support. Rock
Mech. 6(4): 189-239.
applied support, comparing the two yielding plots in Barton, N. 1989. Cavern design for Hong Kong rocks. Proc.
Figure 8. This indicates that the adopted bolting sys- Rock Cavern Seminar Hong Kong (eds A.W. Malone
tem can effectively support the rock mass from and P.G.D. Whiteside), pp. 179-202. London: Institution of
being subjected to yielding at relatively great depth Mining and Metallurgy.
and thus help retain a safe ground condition for the Bieniawski, Z.T. 1989. Engineering rock mass classifications.
cavern. New York: Wiley.
Chen, S.G. & Zhao, J. 1998. Use of monitoring records and
management system in Ertan cavern construction. Rock
Mech. Rock Engng. 31(2): 125-131.
FLAC3D 2.10
Step 20000 Model Perspective
Chen, S.H. & Chen, S. F. 2001. The feedback analysis of exca-
14:20:10 Fri Jan 06 2006
vated rock slope. Rock Mech. Rock Engng. 34 (1): 39-56.
Center:
X: 5.000e+001
Rotation:
X: 90.000 Hoek, E, Brown, E.T. 1997. Practical estimates of rock mass
Y: 4.000e+001 Y: 0.000
Z: -7.500e+001
Dist: 7.083e+002
Z: 0.000
Mag.: 1.25
strength. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 34(8): 1165-1186.
Ang.: 22.500 Itasca Consulting Group, Inc. 2000. FLAC Fast Lagrangian
Plane Origin:
X: 0.000e+000
Plane Orientation:
Dip: 0.000 Analysis of Continua, Version 4.0. Minneapolis: Itasca.
Y: 0.000e+000
Z: -6.200e+001
DD: 0.000
Itasca Consulting Group, Inc. 2002. FLAC3D Fast Lagran-
Block State gian Analysis of Continua in 3 Dimensions, Version 2.1.
Plane: on
None Minneapolis: Itasca.
shear-n shear-p
shear-p Jing, L. 2003. A review of techniques, advanced and out-
shear-p tension-p
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517525.
FLAC3D 2.10
Step 20000 Model Projection
Yasitli, N.E. & Unver. B. 2005. 3D numerical modeling of
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Center:
X: 5.000e+001
Rotation:
X: 90.000 Sci 42: 219235.
Y: 4.000e+001 Y: 0.000 BOLT
BOLT
Z: -7.500e+001 Z: 0.000
Dist: 7.083e+002 Size: 2.254e+002

Plane Origin: Plane Orientation:

X: 0.000e+000 Dip: 0.000
Y: 0.000e+000 DD: 0.000
Z: -6.200e+001

Block State
Plane: on
None
shear-n shear-p
shear-p
SEL Geometry
Magfac = 1.000e+000

Figure 8. Cross-section view showing yielding areas in the sur-

rounding rock mass with the scenarios of not including (above)
and including (below) the bolting system.

5 CONCLUSION

From the analysis of bolting pattern optimization de-

scribed in this paper, it has been shown that numeri-
cal methods can be used as a powerful tool to help
support design in much greater detail than empirical
approaches.
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