The Effect of Hydrogeological Heterogeneity on Groundwater Flow Field at Tunnel Site: A 2D Synthetic Study of Single and Multiple Tunnels

The rapid expansion of tunnel construction in mountainous regions faces significant challenges due to the heterogeneity of surrounding rocks caused by faults, fractures, and karst features, which strongly affect groundwater seepage. Traditional homogeneous assumptions are inadequate for accurately predicting tunnel water inflow, while current heterogeneous assumptions primarily focus on the permeability of the medium near a single tunnel. This study employs 2D numerical modeling based on the Kexuecheng Tunnel in Chongqing, China, to investigate the effects of geological heterogeneity on tunnel discharge and groundwater drawdown. A methodological advancement of this work lies in the quantification of the impact of non-permeability heterogeneity, stratigraphic continuity, and dip angles on groundwater under multi-tunnel conditions. Four stratigraphic continuities (R = 60 m, 120 m, 180 m, 240 m) and four dip angles (θ = 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°) are considered for permeability variations. Results demonstrate that heterogeneous formations produce irregular discharge and non-uniform groundwater drawdown, closely reflecting field conditions. Increased stratum continuity intensifies discharge and drawdown at smaller dip angles, while combined variations yield complex hydraulic responses. In multi-tunnel settings, reduced spacing amplifies discharge and drawdown, exacerbating groundwater impacts. Compared with homogeneous conditions, heterogeneous formations yield higher water inflow and uneven drawdown. The findings underscore the necessity of accounting for geological heterogeneity and tunnel interactions in hydrogeological evaluations and design. In addition to permeability, stratigraphic continuity and dip angles during simulation validation, especially in multi-tunnel configurations, enhance safety and reduce engineering risks.