Serviceability analysis of deep underground openings driven in jointed-rock

The performance of underground excavations is inevitably influenced by rock mass characteristics, presence of joints and their geometrical properties, depth below surface and state of in-situ stress field. The objective of this paper is to investigate the behaviour of deep underground tunnel opening existed between two bedding planes. Such planes weaken the strength of rock mass and may cause rock slippage/rotation along them. Therefore, the state of stress-displacement, after tunnel opening has been introduced, is examined using two-dimensional elasto-plastic finite-elements code, RS2D. The results indicate that, there is significant drop in the normal stress along joints over tunnel opening; slip occurs due to reversal in the direction of shear stress (e.g., inward shear displacement is produced) and there is discontinuity in the strength contours of rock surrounding tunnel after they have been intersected by bedding planes.