Numerical simulation of fracture mechanics and thermo-mechanical behaviour under low temperature conditions

This paper addresses numerical simulation to estimate the thermo-mechanical behaviour of the rock mass around the LNG pilot cavern. Thermo-mechanical analysis is performed in two different ways namely, PFC 2D simulation and UDEC analysis. On the basis of the results from the thermo-mechanical modelling using on PFC 2D code, it is certain that the presence of joints and frost heave pressure have a pronounced effect the formation of new cracks in the rock mass. The thermal and mechanical responses of the rock mass around the LNG storage cavern are predicted by UDEC numerical models satisfactorily. The in-situ measured rock mass responses from the operation of LNG pilot cavern are presented and compared to the results of numerical analyses. The results of UDEC analyses are summarized as follows: (1) Thermal and mechanical responses of the rock mass around the LNG storage cavern could be well predicted by numerical models. (2) There was no conspicuous difference with the presence of joints. (3) The extent of 0 degrees C isotherm was increased with decreasing thermal properties. (A) This paper was presented at Safety in the underground space - Proceedings of the ITA-AITES 2006 World Tunnel Congress and the 32nd ITA General Assembly, Seoul, Korea, 22-27 April 2006. For the covering abstract see ITRD E129148. Reprinted with permission from Elsevier.