Based on the joints random distribution characteristics of surrounding rock of the China's first large underground crude oil storage caverns

containment properties of underground crude oil storage caverns were assessed by using flow-solid coupling theory for discrete medium. Water seal principle and water seal standards of underground crude oil storage caverns are introduced. The structural plane parameters are obtained by the indoor structural plane shear test; and structural plane parameters are checked by using Barton-Bandis shear dilatancy model. According to the joint statistical results

a random joint network model of the surrounding rock is established. The groundwater pressure distribution

water inflow and surrounding rock deformation and stress distribution are analyzed after the excavation under the conditions of different water curtain pressures. The results show that groundwater pressure around caverns meets water seal standard when the water curtain pressure is greater than or equal to 75 kPa conditions. Under the water curtain pressure of 75 kPa

water inflow rates for the caverns range from 0.003 to 0.015 m3/d and crown settlements range from 16 to 32 mm. The results provide a theoretical basis for water seal evaluation of underground water seal oil caverns.