Numerical Simulation Analysis of the Fracture Network Geometric Characteristics’ Influences on the Hydrothermal Coupling Field and the Equivalent Thermal Conductivity of Tunnelling Fractured Rock

  • ZHAO Kaiming ,
  • YUAN Yanping ,
  • JIANG Fujian ,
  • CAO Xiaoling ,
  • JI Wenhui ,
  • PENG Yi
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  • 1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
    2. Southwest Jiaotong University Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd. Chongqing Branch, Chongqing 401120, China

Online published: 2025-05-06

Supported by

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52038009). 

Copyright

Science Press, Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, CAS and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025

Abstract

Tunnels in high geothermal and water-rich areas usually encounter thermal damage and water seepage problems during the tunnel construction period. Understanding the interaction between seepage and heat transfer in the surrounding rock of the tunnel is an important prerequisite for safe tunnel construction and environmental protection. This study established the tunnelling fractured rock models by using the discrete fracture network method and numerically explored the effects of geometric characteristics of fracture network and geological factors on the hydrothermal field of the rock. By designing orthogonal experiments and analyzing orthogonal cases, the changes of rock equivalent thermal conductivity (ETC) under the combined action of multiple factors were investigated. The priority of each influencing factor on ETC is in the following order: fracture inclination, fracture intensity, water temperature, water head, fracture roughness and fracture aperture. The weighted contribution rates of each factor to the ETC are 30.6%, 24%, 18.5%, 15.5%, 6% and 5.3%, respectively. Finally, a formula including all factors to determine the equivalent thermal conductivity was proposed. The results of this study can provide reference and guidance for quantifying surrounding rock heat transfer during the construction period of high geothermal tunnels.

Cite this article

ZHAO Kaiming , YUAN Yanping , JIANG Fujian , CAO Xiaoling , JI Wenhui , PENG Yi . Numerical Simulation Analysis of the Fracture Network Geometric Characteristics’ Influences on the Hydrothermal Coupling Field and the Equivalent Thermal Conductivity of Tunnelling Fractured Rock[J]. Journal of Thermal Science, 2025 , 34(3) : 1008 -1036 . DOI: 10.1007/s11630-025-2078-5

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