Experimental study on face instability of shield tunnel in sand

Face stability is critical for ground settlement and construction safety control in shield tunneling. In this paper, a series of 3D large-scale model tests with a tunnel of 1 m diameter were conducted in dry sand for various cover-to-diameter ratios C/D = 0.5, 1, and 2 (i.e., relative depth; C is the cover depth and D is the diameter of tunnel). Each test provided a measurement of the support pressure and the ground settlement with the advance of face displacement. The evolution of soil arching during face failure was investigated by monitoring the redistribution of earth pressure in front of the face in the test case of C/D = 2. In the displacement-controlled face failure tests in the medium density sands, the support pressure dropped steeply to the minimum value, then increased to a steady state with the continuing increase in the face displacement. Relationships between the support pressure and face displacement for various cover depths were also verified by the numerical analysis using the finite difference program, FLAC^3D (Itasca, 2005). The limit support pressure increases with the increase of the relative depth C/D and then tends to be constant. A significant rotation of principal stress axes in the upward arches in the soil during face failure was found in the tests. A two-stage failure pattern is proposed based on the observation of earth pressure. The theoretical and empirical formulas for estimating limit support pressure were verified by the tests results.     

Soil deformation induced by Double-O-Tube shield tunneling with rolling based on stochastic medium theory

The prediction of soil deformation during tunneling is very difficult for Double-O-Tube (DOT) shield tunnel construction, especially for the shield rolling. According to the characteristics of DOT shield tunneling and rolling, a calculation model of soil deformation due to tunneling-induced ground loss was established. Based on the stochastic medium theory, the theoretical solutions of soil deformations considering the rolling of DOT shield machine were derived by polar coordinate transformation and multi-subdomain integral method. The predicted surface settlement from the proposed solution is better agreement with the observed data than those obtained by the two previous methods (namely the equivalent excavated-area method (EAM) and the simple superstition method (SM)). In addition, only ground surface settlement can be estimated under no rolling of DOT shield machine using the two previous methods, while this proposed solution owns great progress in solving the subsoil deformation and the influences of rolling. In order to further study the influence of DOT shield rolling angle on soil deformation under different engineering conditions, the parameter sensitivity analyses regarding the tunnel depth h, the ground loss parameter ɛ and the influence zone angle β₀ were extensionally discussed.     

密实砂土地层盾构隧道开挖面失稳离心模型试验研究

砂土地层中盾构掘进时,开挖面支护力不足极易导致开挖面失稳事故。通过3种不同隧道埋深比（C/D=0.5,1和2）的离心模型试验对密实砂土地层中盾构隧道开挖面稳定性问题进行了研究。离心试验研究发现,随着开挖面位移的增大,开挖面支护力先减小为极限值而后逐渐增大并最终趋于残余值;开挖面前方土体总体呈现“楔形体+棱柱体”的失稳区;隧道相对浅埋时（如C/D=0.5）,极限状态下失稳区已扩展到地表;隧道相对深埋时（如C/D=1和2）,极限状态下失稳区尚处于地基内部;极限支护力随着隧道埋深比的增大先增加而后基本保持不变。最后,通过现有几种极限支护力理论计算模型对本文试验预测结果的比较分析,评估了上述理论方法的工程适用性。该研究成果对砂土地层中盾构开挖面稳定性控制具有指导意义。     

砂性土层大直径浅埋隧道掘进试验及离散元模拟

隧道断面的增大致使盾构施工的风险增大,尤其是高水压砂性土层,大直径浅埋隧道盾构对周边岩土体的扰动以及土层变形的影响是目前需要研究的新课题。本文以武汉地铁7号线大直径越江隧道段为工程背景,建立了大直径浅埋隧道盾构掘进室内缩尺试验模型,采用螺旋出土盾构设备(包含螺旋杆、螺旋出土器及套筒),以恒定的推进速率进行了隧道掘进,并且对地表沉降进行了监控。同时,本文建立了同尺寸的浅埋隧道盾构掘进离散元模型,对盾构掘进过程中地表沉降、开挖面前方土层中颗粒配位数以及黏结破裂区域进行了分析研究,并与室内试验结果进行了对比分析。结果表明:地表竖向位移与室内试验结果吻合度较高,盾构掘进地表各点处的沉降均随着掘进距离的增大而增大;盾构掘进影响区域主要分布在隧道顶部至地表、一定范围内的周边土体以及开挖面前方一定范围内的盾构区域;颗粒接触点处的黏结破裂区域主要分布在盾构区域和隧道顶部区域。     

既有桩基对盾构施工参数的影响研究

盾构隧道施工邻近桥梁桩基已成为目前研究的热点问题。针对盾构施工参数取值在工程中的应用价值,利用三维弹塑性有限元分析了桩基引起地层的竖向附加应力,反推出了Geedes式中的桩端阻力、桩侧阻力分担桩顶荷载的比例系数与桩长的数学表达式,并将Geedes竖向附加应力影响范围与Randolph提出的影响半径对比分析后,给出了桩基影响区域和非影响区域的界定半径;基于支护压力、注浆压力的理论取值范围及单位长度上土体损失量等于沉降槽面积的条件,利用三维弹塑性有限元进行计算分析,给出了支护压力、注浆压力在桩基非影响区域内的建议取值和土体损失的计算表达式;基于桩基非影响区域内盾构施工参数的建议取值及桩基对地层产生的附加应力,给出了桩基影响区域内盾构施工参数建议取值的数学表达式。研究结果表明:工作面的土压力阻力选取工作面静止土压力合力,注浆压力选取1.1倍的隧道埋深处水土压力时,对地层的扰动较小。     

砂卵石地层土压力平衡盾构施工开挖面稳定及邻近建筑物影响模型试验研究

盾构技术在砂卵石地层中应用越来越多,砂卵石地层具有很强的不确定性特征,盾构施工的关键问题之一是保持开挖面稳定性及减小地面沉降。利用土压平衡盾构模型,研究北京砂卵石地层中不同埋深时邻近建筑物影响下的开挖面稳定性及地表沉降规律。试验中,分析柔性基础邻近建筑物及埋深对开挖面极限支护力和地表沉降的影响,揭示开挖面稳定性、土拱效应与极限支护力及地表沉降的关系。在邻近建筑物影响下,砂卵石地层中的支护压力呈非对称分布,且砂卵石地层中盾构推进引起的沉降值大于基于Peck公式的计算值,研究成果对砂卵石地层中盾构施工有重要的指导意义。     

Response of sandy soil to the volume losses at the tunnel face level

Recent research does not fully identify the causes of surface volume loss that occur at the tunnel level in sand, as related to the excavation of a pressurized-face tunnel boring machine (PTBM). This paper focuses on the face stability of PTBM tunneling, and the response of sandy soil to the inadequate face pressure is evaluated. Data presented are from tests of a model using reduced-scale PTBM tunneling operations in dry sand. Ground displacement and the evolution of ground stress were analyzed. The relationship between the load factor at the face and the volume loss at surface was examined. The effects of soil density and tunnel depth were considered. An empirical formulation was provided allowing determination of the expected volume loss as a function of load factor (LF), cover-to-diameter ratio (C/D) and soil density (I_d). Thus providing a valuable basis for establishing relationship between volume loss associated with tunnel face advancement and face pressures in sandy soil. The results show that instability of the face is accompanied by the triggering of secondary deformation mechanisms at the surface. The volume loss at surface is complicated by the combined effects of soil arching and the dilative/contractive behavior of the soil. The variation of volume loss is sudden prior to face collapse, especially at dense sand, which is different from the progressive variation of volume loss in clays. The size of destressed zone ahead of cutter head is less dependent on C/D in loose soil than in dense soils.     

不同地层条件泥水盾构开挖面失稳状态颗粒流模拟方法研究

采用颗粒流方法合理地模拟泥水盾构隧道掘进的全过程及对模拟结果的有效处理是一个难点。基于钱江隧道和上海长江隧道工程复杂地层条件,建立能全面反映盾构隧道掘进全过程的模拟实现方法,并在结果处理中采用细观尺度与宏观表象相结合方法,研究宏观现象下隐藏的细观机制,同时用定量的细观结构变化解释或预测宏观力学行为。研究结果表明：通过设计,颗粒流方法可合理并有效地模拟盾构推进过程中的开挖问题,即开挖量与土体的密实度及开挖面压力有关：当土颗粒刚度大于模拟开挖面的墙体单元刚度时,表示该压力下土体被开挖掉;反之,压力过小盾构机将停止掘进。研究成果在应用于背景工程中取得了良好的一致性,可为类似工程提供参考。     

盾构法隧道地表变形影响因素多尺度数值模拟

采用三维非线性有限元数值方法,对上海典型地层中盾构推进过程进行了精细模拟,研究了多几何尺度下盾构外径、隧道埋深及土层力学性质等非施工因素对地表变形的影响。计算结果表明,盾构机外径的尺度效应和隧道埋深对地表变形影响显著;不同尺度下修正剑桥模型中与土性有关的对数硬化模量λ及泊松比μ与地表变形正相关,而临界状态有效应力比M与变形之间的关系不是单调增加或减小的关系。研究成果为软土地区盾构隧道多几何尺度的模型试验和设计施工参数的选取提供了依据。     

泥水盾构支护压力设定范围及其影响因素分析

与土压平衡盾构对掘进面的被动支护不同,泥水盾构是依靠液态介质实现对掘进面的主动支护。泥水支护的关键是选择合适的泥水和支护压力从而形成并维持泥膜的完整性。基于泥水劈裂(渗透破坏)和仓筒理论给出了泥水支护压力的上下限。结合静水压力、土体特性、盾构直径和覆土厚度等因素研究了支护压力区间特性(可设定范围)。研究表明:支护压力下限主要受静水压力和土体摩擦角的影响,其中静水压力起决定性作用。一般情况下,泥水压力设定可以取为静水压力+20 kPa;支护压力上限为泥水劈裂(渗透破坏)压力,主要受静水压力和覆土厚度的影响。增加覆土厚度可以提高地层的泥水劈裂(渗透破坏)抗力,从而改善地层的泥水支护特性,增大泥水支护压力区间长度。然而,增加静水压力只可以平移泥水支护压力区间,而不能使其增大。泥水支护压力区间长度还受土体摩擦角的影响,而其它因素影响较小。考虑泥水支护区间长度的影响,实施带压换刀的隧道覆径比不宜小于0.8～1.0。     

砂土地层土压盾构隧道施工掌子面稳定性研究

土压平衡盾构在自稳性较差的砂土地层施工时若仓内支护压力过小可能诱发掌子面失稳,应引起高度重视。采用三维离散元方法分析了砂土地层土压盾构掘进与停机状态下的掌子面稳定性。研究建立了较为精细的土压盾构机模型并引入盾构动态施工过程,充分考虑了刀盘旋转切削土体与面板支撑对掌子面的影响,探讨了刀盘型式、隧道埋深以及刀盘转速等因素对掌子面极限支护压力与失稳区分布的影响规律,并从细观角度解释了砂土地层土压盾构隧道掌子面失稳机理。与既有研究相比,本文考虑了土压盾构动态施工对掌子面稳定性的影响,更加接近工程实际,研究成果可为确保砂土地层土压盾构隧道施工掌子面稳定提供参考。     

Model test and discrete element method simulation of shield tunneling face stability in transparent clay

The stability of the shield tunneling face is an extremely important factor affecting the safety of tunnel construction. In this study, a transparent clay with properties similar to those of Tianjin clay is prepared and a new transparent clay model test apparatus is developed to overcome the “black box” problem in the traditional model test. The stability of the shield tunneling face (failure mode, influence range, support force, and surface settlement) is investigated in transparent clay under active failure. A series of transparent clay model tests is performed to investigate the active failure mode, influence range, and support force of the shield tunneling face under different burial depth conditions, whereas particle flow code three-dimensional numerical simulations are conducted to verify the failure mode of the shield tunneling face and surface settlement along the transverse section under different burial depth conditions. The results show that the engineering characteristics of transparent clay are similar to those of soft clay in Binhai, Tianjin and satisfy visibility requirements. Two types of failure modes are obtained: the overall failure mode (cover/diameter: C/D≤1.0) and local failure mode (C/D≥2.0). The influence range of the transverse section is wider than that of the longitudinal section when C/D≥2.0. Additionally, the normalized thresholds of the relative displacement and support force ratio are 3%–6% and 0.2–0.4, respectively. Owing to the cushioning effect of the clay layer, the surface settlement is significantly reduced as the tunnel burial depth increases.     

盾构隧道垂直土压力松动效应的颗粒流模拟

通过对比室内三轴试验和颗粒流程序双轴数值试验结果,确定了颗粒流模拟砂土的细观参数;通过对室内挡板下落试验的颗粒流数值模拟,验证了颗粒流模拟土拱效应的可行性。在此基础上对盾构隧道垂直土压力的松动效应进行了颗粒流模拟,分析了不同盾尾空隙、不同埋深、不同直径和不同围岩时作用在管片上的土压力、土体位移和土体颗粒接触力的变化情况。结果表明,土拱效应主要发生在隧道上部1～2倍隧道直径的范围内,隧道顶部土体通过土拱效应可大幅度减少作用在隧道上的土压力。     

干砂盾构开挖面稳定性模型试验研究

盾构技术在地下空间开发中得到广泛应用,保持开挖面稳定性是盾构施工的关键,但这方面的大尺寸模型试验研究一直很少。利用直径1 m的盾构模型,研究了干砂地层中不同埋深比(C/D=0.5,1.0,2.0)下盾构开挖面稳定性问题。试验中分析了埋深比对开挖面极限支护力及地表沉降的影响,揭示了开挖面稳定性与极限支护力及地表沉降的关系,提出同时监测控制开挖面土舱压力及地表沉降的重要性,并给出关键控制键参数。对确定开挖面极限支护压力有重要的指导意义。     

砂土盾构隧道掘进开挖面稳定理论与颗粒流模拟研究

盾构法隧道施工过程中,土体密实度对开挖面极限支护力值与稳定性影响是一个非常重要的因素。基于Kirsch室内模型试验,采用颗粒流计算分析了隧道掘进过程中土体密实度对开挖面极限支护力、残余支护力以及开挖面前方土体孔隙比变化的影响,从细观角度解释了砂土中盾构隧道开挖面失稳机理,分析了砂土中盾构隧道掘进时土体破坏形态与分布范围;进而提出了计算开挖面极限支护力的改进楔形体分析模型。研究成果可为盾构隧道施工中分析开挖面的稳定提供参考。     

Opening the excavation chamber of the large-diameter size slurry shield: A case study in Nanjing Yangtze River Tunnel in China

Shield tunnel construction in a dense strata often encounters malfunction of shield-tunneling machine or abrasion of cutters. Accessing to an excavation chamber under compressed air is a main method to repair and replace worn cutters. And many safety issues such as stability of the excavation face were involved. However, the face stability due to opening an excavation chamber was not fully studied. To overcome this shortcoming, face support scheme and stability analysis were presented in a case history of opening the pressure chamber for a large-diameter (up to 14.93 m) slurry shield tunnel constructed underneath Nanjing Yangtze River. Since most of the damaged cutters were distributed along the edge of cutting wheel, only top 3 m of tunnel face within the chamber needed to be supported by compressed air, and remaining area would also to be supported by slurry pressure. A series of simple primary laboratory tests were carried out to design an optimum slurries mixing scheme to support the tunnel face as accessing to the pressure chamber in the project. The face stability was analyzed in terms of the pressure equilibrium (i.e., internal and external pressures) as well as three-dimensional numerical analysis by adopting properties of soils and filter cakes from laboratory tests. By injecting lower density slurry into the sand to form a stable infiltration zone, followed by using higher density slurry to create a filter cake at tunnel face, compressed air-support system could ensure face stability during maintenance of cutter wheel. The success of applying the mixed slurry and compressed air-support scheme in this project is valuable to shield tunnel constructions in similar ground conditions.     

盾构隧道穿越断层破碎带开挖面稳定性研究

随着国内越江海隧道的快速发展,穿越断层破碎带盾构隧道开挖面稳定性的研究具有重要的理论价值和工程应用意义。文章考虑完整岩体与断层破碎带交界面的影响,改进既有楔形体 棱柱体模型,建立考虑地质交界面的极限平衡分析预测模型。基于极限平衡理论推导得到盾构隧道开挖面极限支护压力表达式,研究盾构隧道掘进趋近完整岩体与断层破碎带交界面过程中的极限支护力和破坏体倾角的变化规律。结果表明：当盾构隧道开挖面距离交界面较远时或已通过交界面后,隧道开挖面前方破坏岩土体范围都处于完整岩体或断层破碎带中,此时极限支护压力与常规的地层楔形体 棱柱体预测模型结果一致。当盾构隧道开挖面掘进至断层破碎带交界面距离小于临界破坏长度后,随着距交界面的不断减小隧道开挖面极限支护压力迅速增大,最大值约为完整岩体中极限支护压力的3.5倍,通过交界面后降低为断层破碎带中的极限支护力值。因此在该阶段应严格控制开挖面支护压力,避免发生涌水突泥事故。     

The impact of shallow cover on stability when tunnelling in soft soils

Reducing the cover of shallow (metro) tunnels can lower construction costs by lowering cost of the station boxes, increase safety and lower operational cost in the long-term. For bored tunnels there are normally minimal depth requirements stemming from design and construction. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of the cover-to-diameter ratio C/D to the stability of tunnelling process. Several models to analyse the tunnel stability were investigated and were applied for a case study in a typical Dutch soil profile with soft Holocene soil layers. The range of the support pressures in TBM machines, especially in EPB, when tunnelling in soft soil is derived for varied C/D ratio in different soil conditions. Based on the analysis results, some designing optimizations are proposed for shallow tunnels in soft soil.     

Experimental study on working parameters of earth pressure balance shield machine tunneling in soft ground

Deep sedimentary deposits of soft clays are widely distributed in coastal areas as well as many interior major cities in China. In order to study the stratum adaptability of earth pressure balance (EPB) shield machine tunneling in such types of soft ground, model tests of tunneling excavation, using the running tunnel of the Shanghai Metro Line M8 as a background, are carried out with different over burden ratios, opening rates of cutter head, driving speeds and rotation speeds of screw conveyor. Based on the test results, the interrelationships between chamber pressure and mucking efficiency, mucking rate and driving speed, thrust force and torque are obtained. The influences of tunnel depth, opening rate of cutter head and driving speed on thrust force and torque are revealed. Such findings can not only facilitate establishing relationships between shield working parameters and soil properties, but also serve as a guide for the design and construction of shield tunnel in soft ground. __________ Translated from China Civil Engineering Journal, 2007, 40(9): 87–94 [译自: 岩土工程学报]     

高水压条件下泥水盾构开挖面稳定离心模型试验研究

开挖面稳定是越江跨海盾构隧道工程安全的关键,尤其是高水压条件下,开挖卸荷导致开挖面稳定控制更加困难。以越江跨海盾构隧道为背景,研制了一套包含材料和设备的高水压泥水支护形式的开挖面稳定模拟试验装置,通过大型离心模型试验研究了高水压下开挖面坍塌失稳破坏模式和土、水应力变化规律。研究结果表明:①高水压条件下开挖面失稳具有突发性,土体呈现由局部–整体形式急速发展破坏,极小的泥水压力变化幅度即可导致土体迅速发展为整体破坏并传至地表,失稳过程中可观测到滑移倾角减小、破坏范围扩张;②随着泥浆压力的降低,开挖面前方土压力呈现先减小后增大最终趋于稳定值,开挖面失稳可以划分为微观变形、局部破坏、土拱形成、整体失稳四个阶段;③开挖面发生主动破坏时,孔隙水压会发生突然降低现象,这是由于高应力条件下密砂具有剪胀效应,从而引起负孔压导致孔隙水压力急剧下降。这种孔压波动会对开挖面失稳带来不利影响,加速开挖面失稳进程、导致失稳区域的扩大。研究成果对越江海水下隧道工程具有指导意义。