Ash-rich pyroclastic flows from the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Mazama (~7700 yr. B. P.), Cascade volcanic arc, Oregon, entered and blocked the narrow, bedrock-lined canyon of the Williamson River approximately 35 to 44 km from the source volcano. The blockage impounded a body of water which then released producing four stratigraphic units in the downstream debris fan. The four stratigraphic units are a boulder core comprised of locally sourced bedrock boulders and three sand-rich units including a fine-grained sand unit, a sandy pumice gravel (±basalt/hydrovolcanic tuff) unit, and a pumice pebble-bearing, crystal-rich sand unit. Hand-drilled auger holes up to ~1.6 m deep were used to obtain samples of the sand-rich units. Units were delimited using surface and down-hole observations, composition and texture, estimated density, statistical parameters of grain size, and vertical and lateral distribution of properties. Overtopping followed by rapid incision into the ash-rich pyroclastic flows progressively cleared the canyon, but a bedrock knickpoint near the head of the canyon limited the volume of debris available for transport to about 0.04 km3 to 0.08 km3. Co-deposition of bedrock boulders and lithic-rich sand was followed by rapid deposition with minimal reworking of remobilized pyroclastics. Continued draining of the impounded lake sent hyperconcentrated flows onto the debris fan depositing pumice-rich gravels that graded upward to crystal-rich sands.
Rock masses in alpine canyon areas exhibit strong heterogeneity,discontinuity,and are subject to strong tectonic effects and stress unloading,leading to extremely complex distribution of in-situ stress.In addition,the occurrence of layered rock masses makes it more complex,with obvious anisotropic mechanical properties.This study proposes a comprehensive method for evaluating the stability of layered rock spillway tunnels in a hydropower station in an alpine canyon.First,the failure criterion and mechanical model of layered rock masses considering the anisotropy induced by the bedding plane and the true triaxial stress regime were established;an inversion theory and calculation procedure for in-situ stress in alpine canyon areas were then introduced.Finally,by using a self-developed numerical tool,i.e.CASRock,the stability of the layered rock spillway tunnel in a hydropower station was numerically analyzed.The results show that,affected by geological structure and stratigraphic lithology,there is significant differentiation in the in-situ stress in alpine canyons,with horizontal tectonic stress as the main factor.The occurrence of layered rock masses in the region has a significant impact on the stability of surrounding rock,and the angle between the bedding strike and the tunnel axis as well as the bedding dip both exert a significant influence on the failure characteristics of the surrounding rock.
Peng-Zhi PanFuyuan TanFengqiong LiFudong ChiXufeng LiuZhaofeng Wang
