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Fracture seepage and the temperature field distribution of rocks surrounding high-temperature tunnels: a numerical analysis

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Abstract

Studying the effect of the seepage of cryogenic fluid on the surrounding rock temperature of the tunnel of the high-temperature tunnel is important to ensure the surrounding rock stability and to design suitable cooling systems. In this study, the seepage–heat transfer model of a 2D sparse fracture network is established by using the seepage model of discrete fracture network and heat transfer theory. The model is applied to evaluate the temperature field of surrounding rocks in a deep underground high-temperature tunnel in geothermal mining. The coupling effect of seepage–heat transfer of a sparse fissure network with two groups of vertical and horizontal fissures is analyzed, and the key factors affecting the temperature change are determined. Numerical simulation findings indicate that the fissure seepage can control the distribution of rocks around the temperature of the high-temperature tunnel. At the fissure junction, the surrounding rock temperature has a unique complexity. The most critical parameters impacting the temperature field distribution of fractured rock masses are fracture width and fluid velocity. Moreover, the fracture width and seepage velocity affect the temperature gradient to produce an impact on the thermal stress, thereby influencing the stability of the surrounding rocks.

Article highlights

  • A 2D sparse fracture network seepage thermal model is established.

  • The effect of seepage on the tunnel temperature distribution is investigated.

  • At the fissure junction, the surrounding rock temperature has a unique complexity.

  • The fracture width and seepage velocity affect the temperature gradient, thereby influencing the thermal stress.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. U1602232), Key Science and Technology Projects of Liaoning Province, China (2019JH2–10100035), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (N180701005).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China

    Ze Zhang, Shuhong Wang, Hong Yin, Tianjiao Yang & Pengyu Wang

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  1. Ze Zhang
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  2. Shuhong Wang
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  3. Hong Yin
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  4. Tianjiao Yang
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  5. Pengyu Wang
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Correspondence to Shuhong Wang.

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Zhang, Z., Wang, S., Yin, H. et al. Fracture seepage and the temperature field distribution of rocks surrounding high-temperature tunnels: a numerical analysis. Geomech. Geophys. Geo-energ. Geo-resour. 8, 112 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-022-00403-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-022-00403-4

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