This study investigates the mechanisms of hazardous gas outbursts in geologically complex non-coal tunnels. This is a critical safety concern during excavation, particularly at specific locations and during time-sensitive periods. To address this, a gas–solid coupled numerical model is established to simulate gas seepage processes under such conditions. The simulations systematically reveal the spatiotemporal evolutionary patterns of the velocity and direction of the gas seepage and elucidate the migration mechanism driven by excavation-induced pressure gradients. The model specifically analyzes how geological structures, such as rock joints and fractures, control the seepage pathways. The model also demonstrates the dynamic variations in and enrichment behavior of the gas escape velocities near these discontinuities. Field measurements obtained from the Hongdoushan Tunnel validated the simulated emission patterns along jointed fissures. The findings clarify the intrinsic relationships between the outburst dynamics and key factors that include pressure differentials, geological structures, and temporal effects. This work provides a crucial theoretical foundation and practical strategy for the prediction and prevention of hazardous gas disasters in analogous tunnel engineering projects, thereby enhancing overall construction safety.
Li et al. (Thu,) studied this question.