FLAC/PFC coupled numerical simulation of AE in large-scale underground excavations

Abstract Acoustic emission (AE) and microseismic (MS) events are indicators of rock fracturing or damage as the rock is brought to failure at high stress. By capturing the AE/MS events, underground excavation induced rock mass degradation or damage can be located and evaluated. A better understanding of the extent and shape of the excavation damaged zone (EDZ) or yield zone around caverns helps to arrive at safe and economic design and construction of the caverns. For this purpose, one needs to understand the AE mechanism associated with the excavation process. In the present study, a coupled numerical method is used to study AE at the Kannagawa underground powerhouse cavern in Japan. Two codes, Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC), a finite difference code and Particle Flow Code (PFC), a distinct element code, are coupled. The motive to apply the FLAC/PFC coupled approach is to take advantage of each modeling scheme while at the same time minimizing the requirement for computational resources. The coupling is realized through an exchange of displacements, velocities, and forces in each cycling step. The rock mass surrounding an AE sensor is modeled using PFC and the remaining rock mass is modeled with FLAC to consider the geological complexity and the excavation sequence. In this manner, the AE activities at AE sensor locations of the Kannagawa cavern were simulated and found to be in good agreement with field monitoring results. This approach takes account of stress redistribution and provides stress and displacement patterns in the rock mass that are consistent with AE observations for excavation design. The observed AE activities in the rock mass can thus be utilized to assess the effectiveness of the rock support system and the overall stability of the cavern.