Damage evolution in strain weakening rocks

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Damage evolution in strain weakening rocks is a gradual or rapid loss of strength that ultimately leads to rupture. In underground rock engineering this brittle failure process is commonly referred to as spalling. As the depths of underground excavations increase, and the proposed construction of underground nuclear waste disposal tunnels at depths of 300 to 700 m moves closer to reality, this form of brittle failures is taking on considerable importance. Significant progress has been made in understanding the initiation of this failure progress in rock masses, through extensive field monitoring, mainly at dedicated underground research facilities for the geological disposal of nuclear waste. Building on these findings, the applicant proposes to undertake a research program aimed at developing a methodology for tunnel design when this form of failure is encountered. The results from the findings will be evaluated using carefully controlled in-situ field experiments by nuclear waste agencies in Canada, Sweden, Finland and Switzerland.