Numerical analysis in rock cavern design

Abstract

Due to advancements in tunneling and supporting technology, underground space development has entered a new phase in Singapore. In recent years, new projects require an increased understanding of rock cavern response under various static and dynamic loads, such as the Jurong Rock Caverns for oil storage and Underground Science City beneath Kent Ridge Park, just to name a few.

This project examines numerical analysis on the stability and rock support of the underground rock cavern. This is then utilized to determine the largest rock cavern that can possibly be constructed in Bukit Timah Granite.

In this study, Discontinuous Deformation Analysis is adopted for its capability to provide a dependable model as well as reliable results. Different sizes of rock cavern with given rock properties will be simulated in the DDA rock mass model and the results will be discussed in this report.