Effect of tunnel advance rate on seepage forces acting on the underwater tunnel face

In this paper, the effect of seepage forces arising from the groundwater flow on the tunnel face stability was studied for underwater tunnels. The groundwater flow equation was solved and the seepage forces acting on the tunnel face were calculated using the upper bound solution in limit analysis. Especially, the effect of tunnel advance rate on the seepage forces and thus on the tunnel face stability was studied. A finite element program to analyze the groundwater flow around a tunnel with the consideration of tunnel advance rate was made. Example problem showed that the seepage force is greatly influenced by the tunnel advance rate in case of less permeable ground. Finally, a rational design methodology for the assessment of support pressures required for maintaining the stability of the tunnel face was suggested for underwater tunnels.     

Effect of seepage force on tunnel face stability reinforced with multi-step pipe grouting

Tunneling in difficult geological conditions is often inevitable especially in urban areas. Ground improvement and reinforcement techniques are required to guarantee safe tunnel excavations and/or to prevent damage to adjacent structures. The steel pipe-reinforced multi-step grouting method has been recently applied to tunnel sites as an auxiliary technique in Korea for impermeabilization in underwater tunnels as well as for reinforcement. However, this technique has been usually employed empirically without much understanding with regard to its effect on the tunnel safety. In this study, the face stability with steel pipe-reinforced multi-step grouting in underwater tunnels was evaluated by simultaneously considering two factors: one is the effective stress acting on the tunnel face calculated by limit theorem and limit equilibrium method; the other is the seepage force obtained by means of numerical analysis. This study revealed that the influence of the steel pipe-reinforced multi-step grouting on the support pressure required for the stability of the tunnel face in dry condition is not significant while there is relatively a significant reduction in seepage forces by adopting the technique in the underwater tunnel. The effect of permeability anisotropy on the seepage force acting on the tunnel face was also assessed by conducting a coupled analysis.     

The influence of seepage forces on ground reaction curve of circular opening

When a tunnel is excavated underneath a groundwater table, groundwater flows into the tunnel and consequently, seepage forces act on the cross-section of the tunnel. Such seepage forces significantly affect the ground reaction curve, which is defined by the relationship between the internal pressure and displacement of the tunnel wall. From a practical point of view, a simplified analytical solution of the ground reaction curve accounting for the seepage forces with steady-state flow was developed in this study based on ground reaction curve theories from earlier studies. The simplified analytical solution derived in this study was validated by numerical analysis. The changes in the ground reaction curve according to various ground and groundwater table conditions were investigated. Finally, the simplified analytical solution of the ground reaction curve developed in this study can be used for approximate design of circular openings such as tunnels excavated underneath a groundwater table with seepage forces.     

Interaction of tunnel linings and soft ground

Although soil-lining interaction is highly dependent on the tunnelling technology used, most of the available design methods for tunnel linings fail to take into consideration this important factor. During tunnel excavation, the in-situ stresses are significantly altered, depending on the tunnelling technique as well as the configuration of the tunnel and the characteristics of the soil deposits. The reduced radial stresses are the starting point of the soil-lining interaction at lining activation. This paper presents a method of lining design that considers the details of the excavation procedure and lining installation. Interaction between the tunnel lining and the ground is analysed in two stages—excavation and interaction. The excavation stage is responsible for determining the pre-lining soil deformations and the reduced in-situ stresses. The interaction stage models the soil-lining system together. Soil continuum, tunnel lining, and the interface between them are idealized in the whole system using nonlinear finite-element techniques. The deformations of the soil-lining system, as well as the lining internal forces, and equilibrium soil pressures are determined. Finally, results of the proposed analytical method as well as commonly used procedures are compared with field measurements compiled during the construction of two tunnels in which a precast segmental lining and rib and lagging lining were used.     

高水压富水区隧道限排衬砌注浆圈合理参数研究

海底隧道深埋于海水以下,处于高水压富水区,隧道结构设计时需要考虑外水压力,如果采用"堵水限排"的防排水设计原则,能够以较小的排水量显著降低作用在衬砌上的外水压力,从而使隧道结构设计更加经济。注浆圈合理参数的确定是"堵水限排"的核心问题。基于穿越高水压富水岩溶区的圆梁山隧道工程,通过理论计算和分析,得到了注浆圈参数变化对隧道涌水量和衬砌外水压力的影响规律;提出了隧道排水率的概念,分析了隧道排水率与衬砌外水压力之间的关系。在此基础上提出了确定注浆圈合理参数的方法和程序,给出了圆梁山隧道注浆圈的合理参数值,并在现场得以应用,取得了理想的效果,注浆后实测隧道涌水量与理论计算值基本一致。研究结果表明:衬砌外水压力折减系数取决于隧道排水率,只有当隧道排水系统能够将渗透到衬砌背后的地下水全部排出时,衬砌外水压力才能完全消除;注浆圈的作用不是分担衬砌外水压力,而是通过封堵地下水降低隧道涌水量,从而以较小的排水量可显著降低甚至消除衬砌的外水压力。研究成果对类似高水压富水区以及海底隧道防排水设计具有一定的参考价值和借鉴作用。     

On numerical simulation of tunnel installation

The design of tunnels requires a proper estimate of surface settlements and lining forces. In engineering practice different design methods tend to be used, varying from simple empirical and analytical formulations to advanced finite element analyses. This paper begins with a review of empirical and analytical analyses for settlements and lining forces placing emphasis on the sequences of excavation and installation of support. Such installation procedures range from open face to closed face tunnelling and they tend to have a significant effect on deformations and lining forces. Hereafter the focus is on two-dimensional FE-analyses; again both for open face and for closed face tunnelling. Results for different installation procedures will be presented on the basis of two case studies. It is shown that installation procedures are most important to be considered in order to arrive at proper predictions for tunnelling settlements, horizontal deformations and lining forces. For the installation of closed face shield tunnelling a novel simulation method is presented, named the grout pressure method. It is shown that the grout pressure method yields the best predictions for both ground movements and structural forces.     

Assessment the influence of ground stratification,tunnel and surface buildings specifications on shield tunnel lining loads (by FEM)

Urban development and rapid extension of cities have been accompanied by a considerable growth in mechanized shield tunnelling. Commonly precast concrete segments are used as tunnel lining which comprises relatively considerable part of tunnelling cost. The optimum design of lining needs to an accurate evaluation of loads acting on the lining.In this paper, the effects of ground stratification, surface buildings specifications and tunnel depth on lining loads were studied. For this purpose a 3D finite element model was used employing the ABAQUS software (Ver. 6.11). The geometry of tunnel, lining segments, injection grout and the surrounding soil properties were adopted from the under construction Tabriz urban railway line 2 project.The results show that the studied parameters have considerable effects on lining loads. For mentioned case study, surface buildings with 5 and more story have a considerable effect on lining loads, especially for shallow tunnels. The geometry of surface buildings influences the internal forces of the tunnel lining and increase of buildings width and length increases the lining loads. The building width is the most important parameter and with increase of that the influence of other parameters increases. Also by comparison of obtained results in this study with results of 2D analysis, reliability of 2D models was investigated. The comparisons show that 3D analysis is superior to 2D analysis, particularly in the cases of surface buildings presence. The difference between results increases with decrease of building length and increase of tunnel depth and building weight.     

The ground reaction curve of underwater tunnels considering seepage forces

When a tunnel is excavated below groundwater table, the groundwater flows into the excavated wall of tunnel and seepage forces are acting on the tunnel wall. Such seepage forces significantly affect the ground reaction curve which is defined as the relationship between internal pressure and radial displacement of tunnel wall. In this paper, seepage forces arising from the ground water flow into a tunnel were estimated quantitatively. Magnitude of seepage forces was estimated based on hydraulic gradient distribution around tunnel. Using these results, the theoretical solutions of ground reaction curve with consideration of seepage forces under steady-state flow were derived. A no-support condition was taken into account. The theoretical solution derived in this study was validated by numerical analysis. The changes in the ground reaction curve according to various ground and groundwater conditions were investigated. Based on the results, the application limit of theoretical solution was suggested.     

深部隧洞裂隙围岩渗透特性及衬砌外水压力变化规律

高外水压岩是影响隧道开挖过岩围岩稳定及衬砌结构安全的关键因素之一,基于裂隙介质渗流经典理论,给出围岩、衬砌不同渗透系数下的外水压岩解析解,采用数值方法对隧洞二次衬砌后的外水压岩作用特性进行仿真模拟,探讨裂隙围岩岩衬砌渗透系数对渗流场的影响,围岩、衬砌渗透和排水措施岩外水压岩的相关性。研究表明岩体和衬砌渗透系数之比是影响衬砌外水压岩的关键,正确的灌浆、排水设计对外水压岩折减系数影响较大,是减小衬砌外水压岩的有效措施。结论对高压水作用下裂隙岩体渗流及衬砌外水压岩研究具有重要理论意义,对高水压下围岩注浆及衬砌结构材料选型、参数选择等具有重要岩岩实用价值。     

海底隧道复合衬砌水压力分布规律及合理注浆加固圈参数研究

 与普通山岭隧道不同,海底隧道深埋于海床之下,地下水的处理是其修建过程中的关键问题,而隧道渗水量控制及衬砌结构水荷载确定又是地下水处理的核心问题。采用“堵水限排”的设计理念,设计海底隧道复合衬砌结构防排水系统,可以实现以较小的排放量明显折减甚至消除作用在支护结构上的外水压力,使海底隧道衬砌结构设计更经济。基于地下水水力学理论,推导海底隧道渗水量和复合衬砌结构外水压力的计算方法,并结合厦门海底隧道工程实践,采用理论分析和数值模拟方法揭示初期支护、二次衬砌以及注浆加固圈等参数的变化对隧道渗水量和衬砌外水压力的影响规律。在此基础上,提出海底隧道复合衬砌合理注浆加固圈参数的确定方法,并在厦门翔安海底隧道穿越F4风化深槽的合理注浆加固圈参数设计中取得成功应用。研究结果可为海底隧道或富水区高水头山岭隧道工程的防排水系统设计提供借鉴和参考。     

Effect of surcharge loading on horseshoe-shaped tunnels excavated in saturated soft rocks

Underground facilities are usually constructed under existing buildings, or buildings are constructed over existing underground structures. It is then imperative to account for the current overburden loads and future surface loadings in the design of tunnels. In addition, tunnels are often constructed beneath the groundwater level, such as cross-river tunnels. Therefore, it is also important to consider the water pressure impact on the tunnel lining behaviour. Tunnels excavated by a conventional tunnelling method are considered in this paper. The hyperstatic reaction method (HRM) is adopted in this study to investigate the effect of surcharge loading on a horseshoe-shaped tunnel behaviour excavated in saturated soft rocks. The results obtained from the HRM and numerical modelling are in good agreement. Parametric studies were then performed to show the effects of the water pressure, surcharge loading value and its width, and groundwater level on the behaviour of the horseshoe-shaped tunnel lining, in terms of internal forces and displacements. It displays that the bending moment, normal forces and radial displacements are more sensitive to the water pressure, surcharge loading and groundwater level.     

Effect of drainage conditions on porewater pressure distributions and lining stresses in drained tunnels

This study deals with the effect of drainage conditions on porewater pressure distributions and lining stresses in drained tunnels. Firstly, simple closed-form analytical solutions for the steady-state porewater pressure are re-derived within a common theoretical framework for two different boundary conditions (one for zero water pressure and the other for a constant total head) along the tunnel circumference by using the conformal mapping technique. The difference in porewater pressure distributions among the analytical solutions is investigated. The numerical simulation of a drained circular tunnel under the steady-state groundwater flow condition is made to investigate the effect of porewater pressure distributions on lining stresses. Secondly, the case study of the planned South Blue Line Extension subway tunnel under the steady-state groundwater flow condition is performed for four different drainage conditions (sealed, fully-drained with zero water pressure or a constant total head, and invert only-drained) along the tunnel circumference. The effects of different drainage conditions on porewater pressure distributions, flow nets, and lining stresses are investigated.     

水岩分算隧道衬砌外水压力折减系数取值方法

针对如何确定水岩分算时隧道衬砌外水压力折减系数问题,结合已有隧道规范中地下水处理的规定及外水压力折减系数经验取值方法,从地下水渗流作用出发,基于地下水水力理论,推导了地下隧道渗水量和复合衬砌结构外水压力折减系数理论求解公式,揭示了灌浆圈、初期支护、二次衬砌渗透系数及灌浆圈厚度等参数的变化对隧道渗水量和衬砌外水压力折减系数的影响规律。在此基础上提出了不同衬砌类型外水压力折减系数取值所应注意的问题及相应的取值方法。研究结果可为隧道工程的防排水系统设计提供借鉴和参考。     

隧道开挖问题的水力耦合计算分析

隧道工程中的地下水问题是富水地层中普遍存在的重要问题,地下水流动对隧道围岩稳定性有重要影响。本文利用解析法给出了饱和孔隙介质地层中考虑地下水渗流力作用下的应力。位移表达式;提出了隧道水力耦合数值分析中的耦合计算模型的建立方法并进行数值模拟分析。数值计算结果表明在考虑渗流影响条件下,隧道周边位移最大增加17．0％,最大剪应力最大增加10．3％。在不考虑衬砌条件下,由于渗流引起的渗流力增加了围岩的应力、位移,从围岩-支护结构共同作用原理考虑,进行隧道支护结构设计时是应该考虑渗流效应的。     

Evaluation of the load on shield tunnel lining in gravel

It is important to evaluate accurately the load acting on a shield tunnel lining to facilitate its economical and rational design. In Japan, the load calculated by Terzaghi's formula, or overburden load, is generally adopted for the design of tunnel segments. However, some previous field measurements have shown that the actual load acting on the shield tunnel lining could be much smaller than that adopted for the design in the case of good ground conditions. In this study, field measurements at two shield tunnel construction sites in gravel were carried out, and the load acting on the shield tunnel lining was evaluated by analyzing the field data to establish the rational design of the shield tunnel segments. The method of treating the dead load of segments in the design was also investigated.     

局部渗水条件下深埋盾构隧道松动土压力计算模型研究

对于越江海或富水地区的深埋盾构隧道而言,长期使用过程中管片衬砌局部渗水的情况时有发生,但现有的松动土压力计算理论很少考虑局部渗水的影响。对此,以管片接缝渗水为背景,基于前人的研究进行了地层渗流场解析;以Terzaghi土拱效应分析模型为基础,考虑深埋盾构隧道的松动区形状特性和地层渗流效应,提出了局部渗水条件下深埋盾构隧道松动土压力计算模型,分析了关键参数对计算结果的影响,并与有限差分软件FLAC的模拟结果进行了对比验证。研究结果表明：渗水接缝位置离隧道拱顶越远,隧道顶部的松动土压力越大;地表水位线越高,接缝渗水对土拱的削弱效应越强;隧道顶部的松动土压力随着接缝渗水量的增加而增加;地层渗透系数越大,隧道顶部的松动土压力越小;相较于水土合算的方式,水土分算的结果中土拱效应更强;模型计算结果与FLAC模拟结果吻合良好,验证了模型的有效性。     

考虑渗流影响的盾构隧道开挖面稳定上限分析

通过考虑渗流影响的弹塑性有限元分析,获得渗流条件下的开挖面破坏模式,对比无渗流条件下开挖面的破坏模式,分析渗流对开挖面破坏模式的影响。基于极限上限分析,对无渗流条件下的破坏模式进行改进,提出了适合渗流条件下盾构隧道开挖面稳定性分析的破坏模式,建立了考虑渗流影响的极限分析上限法,获得了渗流条件下维持开挖面稳定的总极限支护压力。结合算例验证了该方法的有效性,并将其用于钱江隧道工程实例分析。研究表明：渗流会影响开挖面破坏模式,但当水位线不高于地表时,这种影响可以认为是一定的与隧道直径和土体内摩擦角等因素无关。总支护压力的很大部分被用于平衡渗流力,且总支护压力值与地下水位线近似呈线性关系。     

Deformation and mechanical characteristics of tunnel lining in tunnel intersection between subway station tunnel and construction tunnel

Deformations and stress distributions in tunnel intersection areas are more complicated than those in common tunnels. The literature on deformations and stress distributions in tunnel intersections, in which the intersecting tunnel is in a different section, is limited. The Shangxinjie subway station in Chongqing, China, was selected to investigate the deformation, stress and plastic zone responses of a tunnel intersection using numerical simulations. Based on the numerical results, the scopes of influence with respect to the deformation, stresses and possible failure modes of the tunnel lining were further studied. The numerical results show that the deformation in a section close to the tunnel intersection was larger than the deformations in distant sections. Compared with the common section, the crown settlement reached the maximum value at the tunnel intersection, and the maximum rate of increase was approximately 28%. The range of the plastic zone at the tunnel intersection was much larger than that in the other areas, and it was mainly located in the side wall and tunnel crown. In the longitudinal direction, the lengths of the scopes of influence were 2.4 B and 1.6 B with respect to the deformation and stress, respectively. The magnitudes of the internal forces in the longitudinal and circumferential directions were almost equal. The bending moments of the tunnel lining within 135° and 225° significantly changed, but the axial force decreased dramatically. Tensile and compressive failures may occur at the tunnel intersection and in a section 5 m away. Locally thickening the supporting structures is suggested to improve the stability of the tunnel.     

Design of bored tunnel linings for Singapore MRT North East Line C706

The northern section of the bored tunnels of Contract C706 of the Singapore MRT North East Line is located in varying soil conditions ranging from cemented Old Alluvium to very soft marine clay. The bored tunnels will run along Race Course Road, underneath a residential area underpassing several religious temples. The tubes will be constructed by earth pressure balanced shield machines. The paper is presenting the key approaches adopted for the design of the tunnel lining, the assessment of ground movements under the particular circumstances as well as the basic design considerations for the intersection of MRT tunnels with the future tunnels of the Singapore Underground Road System (SURS). In this context, the effect of water pressures in terms of sectional lining forces was studied in detail. A design chart has been developed to determine the sectional forces due to the water pressure load and in relation to the subgrade reaction modulus. An approach to consider the influence of the second tunnel has been developed and its presented in this paper.     

The importance of longitudinal stress effects on the static conditions of the final lining of a tunnel

The effects of stresses acting in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the tunnel axis) in certain cases take on an important role in the definition of the static conditions of the final lining, and if they are not foreseen, can lead to instabilities that often require difficult and expensive repair interventions. The case in which the final lining shows a marked irregularity of thickness along the tunnel axis is typical, for example, when the preliminary supports are of a truncated-cone type placed in advancement ahead of the excavation face. The produced anomalous stresses are basically due to the difference in transverse stiffness (and, therefore, in the radial displacements) between the adjoining lining sections. A simple calculation procedure has been set up in this work which permits the estimation of the three-dimensional stress state inside the concrete in the presence of a thickness anomaly and of a homogeneous and uniform radial load at the lining extrados. The approach followed is able to furnish the trend of the safety factor regarding the rupture of concrete, in function of the distance from the thickness anomaly, in such a way as to be able to design the lining thickness and any necessary steel reinforcements.