A generalized multi-field coupling approach and its application to stability and deformation control of a high slope

Human activities, such as blasting excavation, bolting, grouting and impounding of reservoirs, will lead to disturbances to rock masses and variations in their structural features and material properties. These engineering disturbances are important factors that would alter the natural evolutionary processes or change the multi-field interactions in the rock masses from their initial equilibrium states. The concept of generalized multi-field couplings was proposed by placing particular emphasis on the role of engineering disturbances in traditional multi-field couplings in rock masses. A mathematical model was then developed, in which the effects of engineering disturbances on the coupling-processes were described with changes in boundary conditions and evolutions in thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) properties of the rocks. A parameter, d, which is similar to damage variables but has a broader physical meaning, was conceptually introduced to represent the degree of engineering disturbances and the couplings among the material properties. The effects of blasting excavation, bolting and grouting in rock engineering were illustrated with various field observations or theoretical results, on which the degree of disturbances and the variations in elastic moduli and permeabilities were particularly focused. The influences of excavation and groundwater drainage on the seepage flow and stability of the slopes were demonstrated with numerical simulations. The proposed approach was further employed to investigate the coupled hydro-mechanical responses of a high rock slope to excavation, bolting and impounding of the reservoir in the dam left abutment of Jinping I hydropower station. The impacts of engineering disturbances on the deformation and stability of the slope during construction and operation were demonstrated.