Optimization of support system for desilting chambers of

Nathpa Jhakri hydroelectric project using discontinuum

modeling
R. Venugopala Rao, GD Raju, R N Gupta, National Institute of Rock Mechanics
R. S. Chauhan, GM, SJVN

ABSTRACT: Stress analysis using numerical modeling is widely accepted for design
of underground excavations due to their ability to incorporate most of the
complexities and their reliability to produce realistic information. This paper
presents the results of stress analysis carried out to bring out the effect of Adit-II. The
effect of discontinuities and the intersection of Adit -II with chambers were brought
out in these studies. Actual jointing details like dip, dip direction and locations
supplied by the project authorities were simulated in the analysis explicitly. The
shotcrete and Rock bolts were able to reduce the deformations to a small extent only
as the existing support system was inadequate. Strengthening of the support systems
in the walls of the chambers may be required near the Adit -II junctions to an extent
of 20m on either side of the Adit -II walls. As the additional support system
consisting of cable anchors has little effect, longer bolts of 12m length were
recommended. As seen from the performance of the bolts, majority of the yielded
bolts exist in the vicinity of Adit -II region. The spacing of the bolts may be reduced
to 1.2 m on either direction to reduce their percentage of failure.

1.

INTRODUCTION

The desilting chamber arrangement at NJPC project consists of 4 parallel chambers

of 525m long with cross section of 17x27m (modified horse shoe shape) separated by
46.5m center to center. The rock cover varies from 150 to 490m. The rock is

predominantly augen gneiss with 5 sets of joints and several shear seams. These
chambers have access through two numbers of D shaped Adits -I & II
The final support system for desilting chambers consists of 6m long 32mm
diameter fully grouted rock bolts at 1.6x2m spacing in the roof and at 2x2m in the
walls along with shotcrete of 50mm in the roof and 100-150mm in the walls. These
support measures were simulated (Dasgupta, 1999) in stress analysis using FLAC
(Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continuum) software. He reported that the failure
zones would extend up to 1m in the roof and 4-5m in the walls and the forces
induced in the support system are with in their safe limits
During October 1999, 100m3 of rock fall was observed at the junction of Adit 2
with Chamber II. Similar rock falls were observed at the junctions of Chamber III
and IV during May 2005. The Panel of Experts for the projects recommended a fail
safe system of supports consisting of 3 rows of 20m long cable anchors of 60T
capacity at 7.5m spacing in the walls. National Institute of Rock Mechanics was
requested to review the support system suggested by POE and its adequacy.
This paper presents the results of for analysis carried out to bring out the
effect of Adit-II on the walls of chambers 2 and 3. The effect of discontinuities and
the intersection of Adit -II with chambers were brought out in these studies. Actual
jointing details like dip, dip direction and locations supplied by the project
authorities were simulated in the analysis explicitly. The joint samples were
collected and tested in the laboratory for their stiffness and strength properties.

2.

COMPUTATIONAL MODEL

A large model consisting of 150mx150x150m (shown in Figure 1) was considered for

simulation. Since the area of interest was quite large and finer mesh was needed, two
chambers were modeled at each instant. The model was truncated at the top, with
rock cover of 100m above the cavern considered for discretization, and rest of the

topography was simulated as applied stress. In the longitudinal direction, chambers

of 150m long (around Adit 2) were simulated, but the results were considered
representative for middle 100m only, as the boundaries of the model were
restrained.
The effect of discontinuities and the intersection of Adit -II with chambers are
brought out in these studies. Actual jointing details like dip, dip direction and
locations supplied by the project authorities are simulated in the analysis explicitly.
The joint samples were collected and tested in the laboratory for their stiffness and
strength properties.
The excavations were simulated in two stages. The analysis was carried out
without support system and with support system consisting of shotcrete of 150mm
and rock bolts of 32mm diameter of 6m length at 1.5m spacing and 12m long rock
bolts near adit-2 region. Cable anchors of 20m long and 50t capacity at 7.5m spacing
were simulated.

2.1 Physico-mechanical parameters

The physico-mechanical properties of the rock mass and the shear zones are
Youngs Modulus

= 13.3 GPa

Poissons ratio

= 0.23

Density

= 2650 kg/m 3

Mohr - Coulomb Parameters

C of rockmass

= 1.3 MPa

of rock mass

= 45

Joint Properties
Average Shear Stiffness JKs

= 1.0 GPa/m

Normal Stiffness JKn

= 40.0 GPa/m

Cohesion

= 0.3 MPa

Friction

= 25

2.2 Insitu Stresses

The insitu stresses (principal stresses) were determined from hydraulic fracturing
test. The in-situ stresses, in terms of vertical (S v) and in the longitudinal (SH) and
transverse (S h) direction of the chambers, and at different depths were given below.

Cover

Sv MPa

Sh MPa

SH MPa

310
410

8.21
10.86

6.11
7.69

8.89
10.77

490

12.97

8.94

12.27

3.

THE RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results in terms of displacements and factor of safety values at different

elevations and cross sections are presented in the following sections. The analysis
will yield the results in terms of displacement and stresses at each tetrahedral zones.
The factor of safety can be computed at any point as follows
Let

1, 3 are

the major and minor principal stresses then major principal

stress at failure can be computed as

1f = 3 tan 2 (45 + /2) + 2c tan

(45 + /2)

Where c and are Mohr-Coulomb parameters for rock mass.

Then factor of safety can be computed as FOS = 1f/1
The principal stress vectors, colored by the values of factor of safety (of less
than 1.2), are shown in the figures.

3.1 Convention used in Figures

The results displayed in figures in the following sections depict the displacement
vectors or stress vectors, colored factor of safety values over a plan view, or over a
cross section or over a longitudinal section. The geometrical scale indicates the
geometry and the value gives in meters. The vector scale indicates the scale for
measuring the displacement vectors and is given in meters. The stress scale indicates
the scale for measuring the stress magnitude in MPa. The color contours indicate the
range of values. The dip and dip direction indicate the orientation of the plane (cross
section) being viewed. The center of the plane passes through the coordinates given.
The magnification of the figure is indicated by the value mag. The maximum
stress or displacement observed over the cross section is shown at the bottom.
The results in terms of displacements, factor of safety values at different cross
sections were presented in the following sections. To understand the rock mass
behavior due to further excavation, two stages of excavation were considered, the
present stage and complete excavation.

3.2 Displacement Vectors

The displacement vectors over cross section near the wall of Adit 2 without support
and with rock bolts and with rock bolts and cable anchors are shown in Figures 2, 3
and 4 respectively. Maximum displacements of the order of 76mm are observed at
this location in all three cases. The supports have had little effect on the rock mass
behavior.

3.3 Factor of Safety Values

The factor of safety values in the rock mass over the cross sections through Adit 2
center and at 10m from the walls of Adit 2 are shown in Figures 5 and 6 respectively.
The rock mass failure was observed through out the pillar near the Adit 2. The extent
failure of the rock mass in the pillar between the chambers was less than 10m from

the walls of the chambers in the reaches away (15m from either wall) from the Adit II walls.

3.4 Efficacy of Support System

The efficacy of the support system can be gauged by the forces induced in the
supporting elements. The following tables depict the summary performance of the
rock bolts with incorporation cable anchors. It can be seen from the table only 9% of
bolts exceeded the 30T capacity and 20% of bolts exceeded 25T for entire reach. The
concentration of failed supports can be gauged from the Table 2. It can be seen that
62% of yielded bolts exist in the vicinity (5m on either side) of Adit-II and 80% of
bolts exceeding 25T capacity exist in the vicinity (5m on either side ) of Adit-II.

Table 1. Performance of Rock Bolts

% Total bolts reached 30T Capacity

% Total bolts exceeded 25T Capacity

9.8

20.6

Table 2. Locations of yielded bolts

% yielded bolts near Adit II region

% bolts exceeding 25T near Adit II

region

62

4.

80

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the stress analysis with and without support systems, following
observations can be made
1. The rock bolts and cable anchors have little effect in reducing the
deformation around the excavation

2. The entire rock mass between the chambers II and III near the Adit -2
reached failure.
3. The extent failure of the rock mass in the pillar between the chambers was
less than 10m from the walls of the chambers in the reaches away (15m
from either wall) from the Adit -II walls.
4. The majority of rock bolts yielded even in the presence of cable anchors in
Adit 2 region, and the entire pillar reached failure, longer rock bolts of
12m length at 1.2m spacing are recommended.

5.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank the project authorities, particularly, Mr Y. N. Apparao,

CMD, Mr. Ranjodh Singh (design consultant), Mr. R. S. Chuahan, AGM, We wish to
thank Mr. S. P. S. Chauan, Director, CWC and officers of GSI for their advice and
suggestions during numerous discussions. The advice given by POE members is
gratefully acknowledged.

3D-Discontinuum Analysis of Desilting Chambers of NJPC with Actual Geomtry

3DEC (Version 2.00)

25-Apr-04

11:41

dip=
40.00 above
dd = 150.00
center 1.250E+02
5.000E+01
3.250E+02
cut-pl. 0.000E+00
mag =
2.00
cycle
0

Figure 1. Model Showing Chambers II and III and Adit 2

Three Dimensional Discontinuum Analysis of Desilting Complex - with 13m Trace Length & without Supports
3DEC (Version 2.00)
Cross section plot:
2-Sep-01 21:05
geometric scale

2E+01
vector scale

5E-01

dip= 90.00 above

dd = 180.00
center 1.300E+02
3.500E+01
3.150E+02
cut-pl. 0.000E+00
mag =
4.00
cycle
6760
Color by Disp mag.
interval = 1.500E-02
min
max
7.500E-02 9.000E-02
6.000E-02 7.500E-02
4.500E-02 6.000E-02
3.000E-02 4.500E-02
1.500E-02 3.000E-02
0.000E+00 1.500E-02

Maximum Displacement = 7.583E-02

Numerical Modeling Division

National Institute of Rock Mechanics
Kolar Gold Fields - 563 117

Figure 2. Displacement Vectors over Cross section near Adit Wall without Support System

Three Dimensional Discontinuum Analysis of Desilting Complex - with 13m Trace Length & Support System
3DEC (Version 2.00)
Cross section plot:
3-Sep-01 10:14
geometric scale

2E+01
vector scale

5E-01

dip= 90.00 above

dd = 180.00
center 1.300E+02
3.500E+01
3.150E+02
cut-pl. 0.000E+00
mag =
4.00
cycle
4872
Color by Disp mag.
interval = 1.500E-02
min
max
7.500E-02 9.000E-02
6.000E-02 7.500E-02
4.500E-02 6.000E-02
3.000E-02 4.500E-02
1.500E-02 3.000E-02
0.000E+00 1.500E-02

Maximum Displacement = 7.601E-02

Numerical Modeling Division

National Institute of Rock Mechanics
Kolar Gold Fields - 563 117

Figure 3. Displacement Vectors over Cross section near Adit Wall with Rock Bolts

Three Dimensional Discontinuum Analysis of Desilting Complex - with 13m Trace Length & Cable Anchors
3DEC (Version 2.00)
Cross section plot:
7-Feb-** 15:50
geometric scale

2E+01

vector scale

5E-01

dip= 90.00 above

dd = 180.00
center 1.300E+02
3.500E+01
3.150E+02
cut-pl. 0.000E+00
mag =
4.00
cycle
5300
Color by Disp mag.
interval = 1.500E-02
min
max
7.500E-02 9.000E-02
6.000E-02 7.500E-02
4.500E-02 6.000E-02
3.000E-02 4.500E-02
1.500E-02 3.000E-02
0.000E+00 1.500E-02

Maximum Displacement = 7.695E-02

Numerical Modeling Division

National Institute of Rock Mechanics
Kolar Gold Fields - 563 117

Figure 4. Displacement Vectors over Cross section near Adit Wall with Rock Bolts and Cable Anchors

Three Dimensional Discontinuum Analysis of Desilting Complex - with 13m Trace Length & Support System
3DEC (Version 2.00)
Cross section plot:
13-Jul-01 11:18
geometric scale

2E+01
vector scale

5E+02

dip= 90.00 above

dd = 180.00
center 1.300E+02
3.500E+01
3.200E+02
cut-pl. 0.000E+00
mag =
4.00
cycle
3872
Color by Mohr-C FS
phi
= 42.00
cohesion = 1.300E+00
tension = 0.000E+00
9.600E-01 1.200E+00
7.200E-01 9.600E-01
4.800E-01 7.200E-01
2.400E-01 4.800E-01
0.000E+00 2.400E-01

Max Compressive Stress = -8.996E+01

Numerical Modeling Division

National Institute of Rock Mechanics
Kolar Gold Fields - 563 117

Figure 5. Factor of Safety Values over Cross section through centre of Adit with Rock Bolts

Three Dimensional Discontinuum Analysis of Desilting Complex - with 13m Trace Length & Support System
3DEC (Version 2.00)
Cross section plot:
3-Sep-01 9:37
geometric scale

2E+01
vector scale

2E+03

dip= 90.00 above

dd = 180.00
center 1.300E+02
3.500E+01
3.350E+02
cut-pl. 0.000E+00
mag =
4.00
cycle
4872
Color by Mohr-C FS
phi
= 42.00
cohesion = 1.300E+00
tension = 0.000E+00
9.600E-01 1.200E+00
7.200E-01 9.600E-01
4.800E-01 7.200E-01
2.400E-01 4.800E-01
0.000E+00 2.400E-01

Max Compressive Stress = -3.635E+02

Numerical Modeling Division

National Institute of Rock Mechanics
Kolar Gold Fields - 563 117

Figure 6. Factor of Safety Values over Cross section at 15m from Adit Wall with Rock Bolts