Based on the hidden karst exposed in Jurong Pumped Storage Power Station, combined with the field exploration data, the temporal and spatial development characteristics of hidden karst in the power station area are analyzed using the methods of specific solubility and specific corrosion, water chemical composition analysis, borehole television imaging, tracer test, and water pressure test. The results show that the karst development in the study area can be divided into three periods: pre-Cretaceous, Pleistocene, and modern karst. Karst development is controlled by soluble rock, non-soluble rock, and their combination, and the development direction is basically consistent with the fault strike. Karst caves are mainly distributed below the elevation of 100 m, with different shapes and scales and randomness. Non-soluble rocks and impure carbonate rocks are widely distributed in the study area, and surface karst is not developed. The underground karst caves are filled with red clay, and the rate of groundwater circulation is slow. The existence of geological bodies such as rock veins causes the groundwater levels to have obvious double-layer characteristics, which results in weak connectivity between karst caves. Although the karst in the power station area has a certain hydraulic connection with the surface water outside the area, the hydraulic connection of karst in the power station area is generally weak. The research results provide a scientific basis for the anti-seepage measures of underground powerhouses.

Due to its poor hydro-physical properties and other characteristics, argillaceous dolomite is susceptible to seepage failure under high water pressure, affecting the seepage stability of a rock mass. To ensure the safety of the project, when the argillaceous dolomite is present, it is necessary to study the conditions pertaining to its seepage failure. Taking the argillaceous dolomite of Jurong Pumped Storage Power Station as the research object, the spatial distribution, occurrence, scale, degree of weathering, and mechanical and hydrogeological characteristics of the argillaceous dolomite were studied. Through on-site water pressure tests and laboratory variable head tests, the permeability characteristics of argillaceous dolomite were analyzed, and the hydraulic conductivity of the argillaceous dolomite in the upper reservoir and underground powerhouse areas was quantified. The argillaceous dolomite specimens were collected, and seepage failure tests were conducted to determine the critical water pressure for its seepage failure. Based on the results of the laboratory tests, a numerical model of groundwater flow was established. By changing the water level of the upper reservoir and the measures of the anti-seepage and drainage, the seepage stability of the argillaceous dolomite was discussed. The actual water pressure of argillaceous dolomite in the underground powerhouse area was identified during the operation of the Jurong pumped-storage power station. The calculations show that when fully enclosed anti-seepage and drainage measures are taken for the underground powerhouse, the maximum head of water is 98 m, which is lower than the critical water pressure of seepage failure for the argillaceous dolomite. Therefore, no seepage failure will occur. The results provide a scientific basis for the anti-seepage and drainage design of the underground powerhouse area.

To investigate the seepage behavior in a single fracture, a nonlinear seepage model based on boundary layer theory was developed. An analytical formula for calculating nonlinear flow in a single fracture was derived, providing a new method for assessing non-Darcy flow in single fractures. The flow in this formula consists of two parts: the viscous layer and the inertial layer. When the undetermined coefficient λ is equal to 0.5, the formula is simplified to the traditional cubic law. Under high hydraulic gradient conditions, the formula can be simplified for practical use. COMSOL software was used to explore the relationships between fracture length, fracture width, hydraulic gradient, and flow rate under high hydraulic gradient conditions. Additionally, a semi-empirical formula for calculating non-Darcy flow in single fracture was derived. The flow rates calculated using the proposed method were compared with those obtained from the Forchheimer equation, the Schrauf model and the cubic law. The results confirmed the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed analytical formula.