Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

In order to analyze the deformation characteristics and mechanisms caused by high tectonic stress in gentle dip strata, a physical modeling with circular tunnel was designed. The model was constructed by the so-called "Physically Finite Elemental Slab Assemblage (PFESA)" to bring about the structural effect of the deep strata. The gravity was fixed while the lateral pressure increased step by step to mimic high tectonic stress. In order to observe the displacement in different area, the sketches of monitoring points and frame in the model surface were drawn down through video pictures in different periods and to be compared. For the sake of analyzing the deformation and failure mechanism of layers, rock structural mechanics models were set up for the left side and right side in the same stratum, respectively. For verifying the experimental phenomenon and its mechanism, infrared images were utilized based on the temperature variation mechanisms of material. Through systematic study, this paper enriches the research methods of model test and can provide a certain reference for practical engineering of similar conditions.