Using shear strain localisation to model the fracturing around gallery in unsaturated callovo-oxfordian claystone

Abstract

Galleries drilling leads to damage propagation, fracturing and properties modifications in the surrounding medium. The prediction of the damaged zone behaviour is an important matter and needs to be properly assessed. To do so the fractures can be modelled using shear strain localisation. The coupled local second gradient model is used under unsaturated conditions to correctly model the strain localisation behaviour. The permeability evolution and the rock desaturation due to air ventilation in galleries are considered. Finally, a hydro-mechanical modelling of a gallery excavation in Callovo-Oxfordian claystone is performed leading to a fairly good representation of the damaged zone.