Numerical Simulation for the Safety of Release Hole at Lower Position of Cavity in Tunnel

The energy release and depressurization method is often used for the hidden cavity with extra big mass and high pressure in a tunnel. It is critical to determine the minimal depth of safe overburden for the release hole at lower position and the pressure at high position to be released. According to actual data collected from a cavity of Maluqing tunnel of Hubei, this paper performs the computer simulation and analysis for the safety of the release hole at lower position in the cavity and determines the critical safe depth to disclose the cavity is determined tentatively by using the finite differential software of FLAC3D. The simulated results in accord well with the actual situation show the rationality and validity of this numerical simulation.