Formation mechanisms of water inrush and mud burst in a migmatite tunnel: a case study in China

Abstract This paper presents a case study of water inrush and mud burst occurring in a migmatite tunnel to study its formation mechanisms. The geological investigation and mineralogical analysis showed that water inrush and mud burst in the migmatite was closely related to the component of the host rock. High content of soluble minerals, e.g., calcite and dolomite, would make the migmatite rock prone to be fragmentized, isintegrated and eventually form different sorts of connected or semi-connected veins. The field exploration revealed most cavities in the magmatite tunnel were eroded by groundwater and formed large interconnected networks. The two faults and the dike in the magmatite tunnel became the preferred paths and provided great convenience for plenty of precipitation and mud slurry. Due to high water pressure and blast disturbance, the cavities can soon connect each other as well as all sorts of veins, forming a complex ground channel for water inrush and mud burst. To estimate the potential occurrence of water inrush and mud burst, the water bursting coefficient was employed. The results showed the water bursting coefficient of the magmatite tunnel was much bigger than the threshold values and it can be used to explain the accident of water inrush and mud burst occurring in the magmatite tunnel.

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