FINITE-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF A PILOT GAS-STORAGE IN ROCK CAVERN UNDER HIGH-PRESSURE

A three-dimensional finite element analysis was performed to simulate field tests at a pilot gas storage project. The storage was a shallow rock cavern lined with a 6 mm thick steel liner. During the tests, hig h internal pressure up to 52 MPa was applied and deformation of both r ock mass and the steel liner was recorded. The maximum rock displaceme nt of less than 6 mm was numerically predicted and fits the measuremen t very well. The three-dimensional nonlinear finite element modeling h as confirmed the overall stability of the structure and revealed the f unctioning of each structural component, including the rock mass, conc rete lining and the steel liner. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.