Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• A multi-parameter deformation early warning model integrating deformation rate, rate increment, and tangential angle offers reliable precursors to collapse in fault-developed caverns. • Microseismic monitoring reveals high-frequency events clustered near faults during blasting, enabling real-time stability assessment of local cavern sections. • Combined MS monitoring and displacement measurements effectively capture the spatiotemporal evolution of collapse mechanisms in high-stress underground excavations. • The integrated approach provides a practical reference for risk warning and stability assessment in similar fault-developed hydropower cavern projects.
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.
1. Introduction
Collapse is a type of geological disaster easily encountered during the excavation process of the fault development area of the cavern [1, 2]. The large underground caverns of hydropower stations are characterized by high stress, complex geological structures, and mutual disturbance of adjacent cavern construction [3, 4]. In addition, the cavern geometry of the large hydropower station is complex, and the cavern is located in a complex geological environment and high stress field, further exacerbating the extent and severity of collapse failure.
The microstructure of the research material is fundamental to its physical and mechanical properties [5, 6]. Much research has been done by scientists to address the problem of relaxation damage and stability of engineered rock masses [7, 8]. For example, based on the structure of the rock mass and the ratio of geostress to rock strength, rock failure modes can be categorised as stress controlled, structure controlled, and stress-structure controlled [9].
Excavation of highly stressed underground caverns inevitably leads to relaxation and opening of the original structural plane of the rock mass, as well as fracture and structural disintegration of the rock mass, which in turn leads to instability and failure of the rock mass. Analysis of examples of underground cavern collapses has shown that precursors to rock failure occur over time. Detection of the trend of internal fractures and deformation of the rock mass can therefore be an effective warning of macroscopic failure [10, 11].
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Pei Shu-feng, Zhao Jin-shuai, Chen Bing-rui, Li Shao-jun, Jiang Quan, Xu Ding-ping, Wang Ze-nian (2025). Deformation warning and microseismicity assessment of collapse in fault development area of Yebatan Hydropower Station. Journal of Central South University. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-025-6013-4
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main objective of this study?
The study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of collapse mechanisms in fault-developed zones of the Yebatan Hydropower Station using microseismic monitoring and displacement measurements, and to develop a multi-parameter deformation early warning model for risk assessment.
What indicators are used in the deformation early warning model?
The early warning model integrates three critical indicators: deformation rate, rate increment, and tangential angle of the deformation time curve, which together capture abrupt deformation changes before collapse.
How does microseismic monitoring contribute to stability assessment?
Microseismic monitoring records high-frequency seismic events during blasting, with clustering near faults, allowing researchers to assess the safety and stability of local cavern sections under excavation-induced disturbances.
What are the practical applications of this research?
The findings offer a valuable reference for risk warning and stability assessment in analogous caverns located in fault development zones, especially when combining deformation monitoring with microseismic data.
Why is the Yebatan Hydropower Station a suitable site for this study?
The caverns at Yebatan Hydropower Station are characterized by high stress, complex geological structures, and fault development, making them representative of challenging conditions where collapse risks are significant.
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