Evaluation of karst state in tunnel engineering within plateau regions using the attribute interval identification method
摘要
Karst is a significant factor leading to hazards during engineering construction. In geologically complex plateau regions, the unclear mechanisms of karst development and the low accuracy of current assessment methods are particularly prominent issues. To enhance the prediction capabilities of karst development in plateau regions, this study establishes an evaluation system for the Developmental Characteristics of Subsurface Karst in Plateaus (DCSKP) based on attribute interval evaluation theory (AIET). Drawing on investigations of plateau engineering cases and karst development states, nine dominant indicators were selected as evaluation indicators by comprehensively considering the influences of stratigraphic lithology, geological structures, groundwater characteristics, surface karst geomorphology, and hydrochemical dissolution conditions on DCSKP. Furthermore, through laboratory dissolution experiments, the mechanism by which groundwater pH influences karst development was revealed, thereby establishing classification criteria. The evaluation results are highly consistent with the karst distribution observed during excavation, confirming the reliability of this method. The results indicate that when pH is utilized as an evaluation indicator, its classification thresholds can be defined as 4, 5, and 7. Normalizing evaluation indicators combined with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)—extenics correlation analysis (ECA)—game theory (GT) integrated weighting method can enhance the accuracy of evaluation results. The AIET supports the reliability analysis of these results, providing valuable guidance for predicting and preventing risks associated with karst-related hazards in plateau tunnel engineering.