Numerical Simulation of Rock Mass Structure Effect on Tunnel Smooth Blasting Quality: A Case Study

Taking the Zigaojian tunnel, Hangzhou–Huangshan high-speed railway, China, as background, the rock mass structure effect on smooth blasting quality was studied. Four rock mass structures were determined on the basis of the information collected on the tunnel site. Smooth blasting finite element models were established using LS-DYNA. The accuracy of the numerical calculation model was verified by comparing the overbreak and underbreak between the numerical simulation and monitoring. Orthogonal numerical test was used to study the rock mass structure effect through single factor and main effect analysis methods. With the decrease in rock mass integrity, the smooth blasting overbreak of tunnels with massive integrity structure, massive structure, layered structure, and cataclastic structure increased. For massive integrity structure and cataclastic structure, the peripheral hole spacing should be emphatically considered. Meanwhile, in massive structure and layered structure, the included angle and spacing of structural planes had a great influence on the smooth blasting quality. The research results could provide a reference to improve the quality of similar tunnel smooth blasting.