Abstract:

Based on the engineering geological and hydro-geological conditions of the Longmen Grottoes and the results of the environmental geological diseases survey of three test caves (Qianxisi Cave, Huangfugong Cave, Ludong Cave), the formation mechanism and the harmful effects of the penetrative water inside the caves are analyzed systematically in this paper. The harmful effects are divided into three categories: mechanical effect, chemical effect and biologic effect.The chemical effect is the most direct and apparent negative effect for the protection of the culture relics.It is presented that using two means, plugging and drainage, synthetically to treat water permeation in this paper. The methods are subdivided into four: outside plugging, inside plugging, draining the water from the internal rock mass and draining water from the earth's surface. A conclusion is drawn from the results of the investigation that it is not an appropriate treatment for the heavy penetration caves with one method—inside plugging. Cutting off the source and draining the water from the rock should be done firstly and plugging inside the caves should be adopted after the quantity of penetrative water is reduced adequately.

Key words: the Longmen Grottoes, unloading fracture, layer fracture, water permeation treatment