Benoît Pardoen

Using Local Second Gradient Model and Shear Strain Localisation to Model the Excavation Damaged Zone in Unsaturated Claystone

AbstractThe drilling of galleries induces damage propagation in the surrounding medium and creates, around them, the excavation damaged zone (EDZ). The prediction of the extension and fracture structure of this zone remains a major issue, especially in the context of underground nuclear waste storage. Experimental studies on geomaterials indicate that localised deformation in shear band mode usually appears prior to fractures. Thus, the excavation damaged zone can be modelled by considering the development of shear strain localisation bands. In the classical finite element framework, strain localisation suffers a mesh-dependency problem. Therefore, an enhanced model with a regularisation method is required to correctly model the strain localisation behaviour. Among the existing methods, we choose the coupled local second gradient model. We extend it to unsaturated conditions and we include the solid grain compressibility. Furthermore, air ventilation inside underground galleries engenders a rock–atmosphere interaction that could influence the damaged zone. This interaction has to be investigated in order to predict the damaged zone behaviour. Finally, a hydro-mechanical modelling of a gallery excavation in claystone is presented and leads to a fairly good representation of the EDZ. The main objectives of this study are to model the fractures by considering shear strain localisation bands, and to investigate if an isotropic model accurately reproduces the in situ measurements. The numerical results provide information about the damaged zone extension, structure and behaviour that are in very good agreement with in situ measurements and observations. For instance, the strain localisation bands that develop in chevron pattern during the excavation and rock desaturation, due to air ventilation, are observed close to the gallery.

Using Shear Strain Localisation to Model the Fracturing Around Gallery in Unsaturated Callovo-Oxfordian Claystone

Galleries drilling leads to damage propagation, fracturing and properties modifications in the surrounding medium. The prediction of the damaged zone behaviour is an important matter and needs to be properly assessed. To do so the fractures can be modelled using shear strain localisation. The coupled local second gradient model is used under unsaturated conditions to correctly model the strain localisation behaviour. The permeability evolution and the rock desaturation due to air ventilation in galleries are considered. Finally, a hydro-mechanical modelling of a gallery excavation in Callovo-Oxfordian claystone is performed leading to a fairly good representation of the damaged zone.

Excavation Damaged Zone Modelling in Claystone with Coupled Second Gradient Model

Galleries excavation leads to damage and significant properties changes of the host rock. The fracture structure of the excavation damaged zone created around the galleries remains nowadays a major issue especially in the context of underground storage. In order to correctly model the strain localisation, the second gradient local model (regularization method) is used within a hydro-mechanical modelling of a gallery excavation. The numerical results provide information about the strain localisation bands pattern.