Experimental Research on Rheological Property of Water-bearing Weak Sandstone in Large Cross-Section Tunnelling

Various problems such as sand, mud and water bursting, unstability of tunnel face, large deformation of surrounding rock and severe cracking of primary support occurred in excavation of the water-bearing weak sandstone strata of Huma Ling Tunnel, Lan-Yu railway. Based on the uniaxial compressive strength tests and uniaxial compressive rheological tests on weak sandstone with water content of 0, 2%, 5%, 8% and 12%, the relationship between rheological characteristic and water content of water-bearing weak sandstone is obtained. According to results of tests, factors and water contents are fitted by applying generalized rheological equation of Kelvin. And the rheological equation of water-bearing weak sandstone with various water content is deduced. The test results and conclusion can offer reference for analyzing deformation characteristics and instability mechanism of water-bearing weak sandstone in large cross-section tunnelling.