Modelling the excavation damaged zone in Callovo-Oxfordian claystone with strain localization

Gallery excavation in clayey rocks induces stress perturbations that trigger damage propagation. The excavation process creates then the so-called excavation damaged zone in which properties are modified. The prediction of the extension and especially of the fracturing structure in this zone remains a crucial issue in the context of underground storage. Since strain localization in shear band mode is frequently observed in experimental works, the excavation damaged zone can be modeled by considering the development of strain localization bands. A hydro-mechanical modelling of a gallery excavation is performed. The numerical results exhibit an excavation damaged zone extension similar to the in situ measurements and provides information about the rock state within this zone.