A novel support system for shallow buried caverns based on the mining method

In order to maintain the original appearance of the rocks on a cavern roof and protect the ground environment, a new supporting method for shallow-buried caverns is proposed. This study investigates the design theory and construction process. Based to this method, some crisscross small tunnel sheds are embedded in the overburden layer. Hence a supporting system of interaction between surrounding rocks and supporting structures is formed. By combining the numerical calculation with monitoring measurement, we found that the distribution of calculated deformation generally agreed with the monitoring measurements. The monitoring results revealed that the proportion of rock shelf load-bearing reached 47%. The self-bearing capacity of the surrounding rocks is brought into significantly play.