Elliptic Equation of Plastic Area Boundary around the Circular Laneway in Nonuniform Stress Field

Abstract

In order to obtain the analytical solution of the plastic area boundary of circular laneway surrounding rock in nonuniform stress field, we studied the evolution of the plastic area shapes of the circular laneway surrounding rock from circular to elliptical and derived the analytical solutions of the boundary radii in the elliptical shape. The results show that (1) with the increase of the confining pressure ratio from 1, the major axis radius of the plastic area increases gradually, the minor axis radius decreases gradually, and the shape of the plastic area gradually evolves from circular to elliptical; (2) on the basis of the Mohr–Coulomb strength criterion, the analytical expressions of major axis and minor axis radii of the elliptical plastic area are derived, and the elliptic equation of the plastic area boundary of circular laneway in nonuniform stress field is established; and (3) the confining pressure ratio is the key factor affecting the shape of the plastic area. When the confining pressure ratio is less than 1.6, the plastic area of the circular laneway surrounding rock is elliptical, and the elliptic boundary equation is applicable. When the confining pressure ratio is greater than 1.6, the plastic area is butterfly shaped, and the elliptic boundary equation is no longer applicable.