Analysis on surrounding rock mass plastic zone of deep underground chamber based on Hoek-Brown criterion

Generalized Hoek-Brown criterion is indicated as a dimensionless quantity, on this basis, elastic-plastic analytical method of circular underground chamber is presented based on generalized Hoek-Brown criterion in uniform stress field. Take into account a number of factors such as deep rock mass quality, rock strength, etc, surrounding rock mass plastic zone of deep underground chamber is analyzed by the analytical method. The results show that taking measures to improve the quality of rock mass can effectively control surrounding rock mass plastic zone for soft rock underground chamber, however, taking measures to improve the quality of rock mass can not appreciably control surrounding rock mass plastic zone for hard rock underground chamber.