A numerical exercise for the definition under undrained conditions of the deep tunnel front characteristic curve

In spite of the increasing diffusion of tunnel boring machines, conventional tunnelling is still largely employed in the excavation of both deep and shallow tunnels characterized by a particularly irregular tracing. Under difficult ground conditions, in conventional tunnelling, the front is frequently reinforced by using fibreglass tubes partially removed during the excavation. This technique is expensive, time-consuming and its design is based on either empirical or very simplified theoretical formulas. Thus, the ultimate objective of the research developed by the authors is to introduce a more sophisticated design approach for this front reinforcement technique. A first step in this direction is this numerical study, in which the mechanical response of deep tunnel faces under undrained conditions is analysed by employing the front characteristic curve: a useful tool largely employed in the literature in analogy with what done for the cavity. The main result of this paper is the “Front Mother Characteristic” curve, obtained by introducing appropriate non-dimensional variables, allowing the designer, once both the system geometry and the soil mechanical properties are assigned, to assess the displacements of tunnel fronts without performing any numerical analysis.     

Deep tunnel fronts in cohesive soils under undrained conditions: a displacement-based approach for the design of fibreglass reinforcements

The fronts of tunnels excavated under particularly difficult ground conditions by employing conventional tunnelling methods are commonly supported: the stabilization is usually achieved either by improving the mechanical properties of the soil (injections, jet grouting, soil freezing, etc.) or by introducing linear inclusions. This last technique, consisting in the introduction of pipes (usually made of fibreglass reinforced polymers) in the front, is particularly popular since it is very simple to adapt the reinforcement geometry, length and number to the different conditions encountered during the excavation. The design of this reinforcement technique is nowadays based on very simplified approaches: on either empirical formula or the limit equilibrium method. In a previous paper, the authors numerically studied the mechanical response of unreinforced fronts in cohesive soils and defined a non-dimensional front characteristic curve. In this paper, the authors intend to take into consideration the role of reinforcements by following the same approach. A procedure allowing the definition of the reinforced non-dimensional front characteristic curve, once the reinforcement pattern is assigned, is introduced. The practical use of this curve is described.

     

近距离重叠隧道盾构施工的纵向效应及对策研究

上下重叠隧道施工时,后挖隧道施工过程对先建隧道是一种“卸载”作用,受此影响,先建隧道的衬砌管片将朝后挖隧道方向变形,但这种影响作用是暂时的。以深圳地铁3号线老街站-晒布路站区间重叠隧道工程为背景,采用三维有限元数值计算和室内离心模型试验相结合的手段,对上部隧道（后挖隧道）施工引起的下方已建隧道纵向变位进行了研究。结果表明,后挖隧道施工引起的先建隧道不均匀沉降主要出现在约掌子面前方3.5D（D为隧道直径）到后方3D的范围内。基于此,探讨了应对这种暂时纵向效应的对策措施,主要包括临时压重和临时内撑。在先建隧道位于掌子面后方(0~1)D、(1~2)D、(2~3)D范围内分别设置20 t/3 m、20 t/6 m、20 t/9 m的临时压重,且在掌子面前方4D和后方4D范围内为先建隧道设置临时内撑,可以较好地减小由于后挖隧道施工引起的先建隧道附加不均匀变形。     

Excavation Problem in Mixed Ground Conditions at the Kabatas–Mecidiyekoy Metro (Istanbul) Tunnels

Mechanized tunnelling is a well-established tunnel construction method which allows constructing tunnels in various conditions including mixed ground conditions as well as tunnels in vulnerable urban areas. The selection of the excavator suitable for the geological structure is important in terms of realizing an efficient tunnel excavation. Tunnel excavation studies of Istanbul Kabatas–Mecidiyeköy Metro tunnels are implemented as a double tube. Geology in this section is composed of sandstone, siltstone, mudstone interbedded or as separate units along with dyke intrusions. Calcareous clay, clayey limestone, clayey sand are also rarely observed. Between the Kabatas–Mecidiyekoy tunnels includes two types of mechanical excavation methods namely tunnel boring machine (TBM) and new Austrian tunnelling method (NATM). Main purpose of this study is mixed ground and their impacts on mechanized tunnelling. At the end, some issues have been presented which seems to be important for the success of TBM and NATM in the mixed grounds. As the tunnel excavation studies continued, the problem of collapse on the ground surface of Barbaros Boulevard in Besiktas station increased the importance of tunnel excavation under mixed ground conditions.     

A discrete numerical approach for modeling face stability in slurry shield tunnelling in soft soils

In this paper, a numerical simulation method for evaluating tunnelling-induced ground movement is presented. The method involves discrete element simulation of TBM slurry shield advancement and considers explicitly soil excavation from the face, effects of varying face support pressure, and the influence of tunnel cover depth. For the cases studied, it is found that for tunnel cover depths (C/D) between 0.7 and 2.1, ground deformations inducing by the tunnelling can be controlled within a certain extent and tunnel face stability can ensured, provided the support pressure ratio (N) lies between 0.8 and 1.5. The proposed method is reasonably benefited to modeling the face stability in shield-driven tunnels in soft soils.     

Time dependent deformations during tunnelling and stability of tunnel faces in fine-grained soils under groundwater

The measures required for driving a tunnel below the groundwater table depend on the permeability of the soil. In coarse-grained, highly permeable soils additional measures, for example compressed-air support combined with a reduction of the permeability of the soil, e.g. induced by grouting, are necessary. Compared to this, it is possible to do without such measures in fine-grained, cohesive soils because of the increased short-term stability of the tunnel face under undrained conditions. In this publication the results of 3-dimensional finite-element calculations are presented to show the influence of the permeability of the soil and also the rate of the tunnel driving on the deformations around the tunnel as well as on the ground surface. The calculated deformations can furthermore be considered as an indicator for the time dependent stability of the tunnel face due to a higher redistribution of stresses and by that an enlargement of the plasticized zone. Usually the stability of the tunnel face is reduced by the presence of water because of the flow of water towards the tunnel. In low permeable soils undrained conditions prevail immediately after an excavation step. In this case relatively high stability-ratios may occur. The stability of the tunnel face will be reduced with increasing time until reaching the lower boundary of possible values, possibly leading to failure. If calculations are done under the assumption of drained conditions, the real stability of the tunnel face during construction may substantially exceed that of the calculated one. On the other hand, if calculations are done for undrained conditions, the effective stability may lie on the unsafe side [10]. There is therefore a big demand to optimize the method of investigating deformations around the tunnel, so as to ensure a safe tunnel excavation on the one hand and to guarantee a cost-effective process on the other. In this paper the tunnelling process is modelled by a step-by-step excavation under atmospheric conditions. The soil is described by a material model which distinguishes between primary and unload-reload stress paths and also accounts for stress-dependent stiffness parameters. The failure criterion is described by the Mohr-Coulomb criterion that considers cohesion, friction angle and angle of dilatancy.     

Continuous velocity fields for collapse and blowout of a pressurized tunnel face in purely cohesive soil

Face stability analysis of tunnels excavated under pressurized shields is a major issue in real tunnelling projects. Most of the failure mechanisms used for the stability analysis of tunnels in purely cohesive soils were derived from rigid block failure mechanisms that were developed for frictional soils, by imposing a null friction angle. For a purely cohesive soil, this kind of mechanism is quite far from the actual velocity field. This paper aims at proposing two new continuous velocity fields for both collapse and blowout of an air‐pressurized tunnel face. These velocity fields are much more consistent with the actual failures observed in undrained clays. They are based on the normality condition, which states that any plastic deformation in a purely cohesive soil develops without any volume change. The numerical results have shown that the proposed velocity fields significantly improve the best existing bounds for collapse pressures and that their results compare reasonably well with the collapse and blowout pressures provided by a commercial finite difference software, for a much smaller computational cost. A design chart is provided for practical use in geotechnical engineering. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Completely 3D Model for the Simulation of Mechanized Tunnel Excavation

For long deep tunnels as currently under construction through the Alps, mechanized excavation using tunnel boring machines (TBMs) contributes significantly to savings in construction time and costs. Questions are, however, posed due to the severe ground conditions which are in cases anticipated or encountered along the main tunnel alignment. A major geological hazard is the squeezing of weak rocks, but also brittle failure can represent a significant problem. For the design of mechanized tunnelling in such conditions, the complex interaction between the rock mass, the tunnel machine, its system components, and the tunnel support need to be analysed in detail and this can be carried out by three-dimensional (3D) models including all these components. However, the state-of-the-art shows that very few fully 3D models for mechanical deep tunnel excavation in rock have been developed so far. A completely three-dimensional simulator of mechanised tunnel excavation is presented in this paper. The TBM of reference is a technologically advanced double shield TBM designed to cope with both conditions. Design analyses with reference to spalling hazard along the Brenner and squeezing along the Lyon–Turin Base Tunnel are discussed.     

软土地层TBM开挖面支护压力计算模型及可视化

隧道掘进机（TBM）近年来在世界范围内得到了广泛应用,通常通过完全充满压力仓的泥土或泥浆来支护开挖面。但在较差的地层和水力条件下,开挖面失稳时有发生。事实上,TBM开挖面的支护压力的大小直接决定了施工安全及地表变形。基于所建立的开挖面支护压力计算模型,并考虑复合地层下土体分层带来的影响,通过计算机编程方法,建立了界面友好、使用便捷的开挖面支护压力可视化计算平台(TBM Studio);并结合阿拉斯加隧道、钱江隧道工程实例进行了不同模型结果的验证分析,给出了各模型计算结果的差异性;讨论了软土复合地层条件下,土体自稳性对开挖面稳定的影响,认为软土地层中定量确定有效支护压力和水头高度至关重要,研究为正确评价TBM开挖面稳定性提供了相应的计算模型。     

Mechanism and countermeasures of preceding tunnel distortion induced by succeeding EPBS tunnelling in close proximity

Twin tunnels are frequently used to address the increasing transportation demands in large cities. To ensure the safety of twin tunnels in close proximity, it is often necessary to take protective measures that have not been well studied. Field monitoring was conducted for a project of twin earth pressure balance shield (EPBS) tunnels in typical soft ground. The preceding tunnel was reinforced by various measures, including trailer bracing, compensation grouting, artificial freezing and scaffold bracing. The entire deformation of the reinforced tunnel was recorded during the succeeding tunnelling process. A three dimensional finite-element method (FEM) model was established to simulate the entire process of twin EPBS tunnelling, particularly the reinforcement measures. The computed deformations of the reinforced tunnel were consistent with the measured data. Furthermore, the stress history and pore pressure of the surrounding soil were analysed to investigate the deformation mechanism of the tunnel. Both the measured and computed results indicate that although the face pressure of the succeeding tunnel was smaller than the earth pressure at rest, the preceding tunnel could still experience an inward horizontal convergence and a deflection away from the succeeding tunnel. These distortion modes were caused by the squeezing effect of the horizontal soil arch in front of the succeeding tunnel face. Finally, convergence and deflection indices were proposed to quantify and assess the effectiveness of the reinforcement measures. The trailer bracing, as an “in-tunnel” reinforcement technique, was found to be the most effective method for controlling tunnel convergence. However, artificial freezing as an “out-tunnel” reinforcement technique led to the largest reductions in tunnel deflection. A combination of both “in-tunnel” and “out-tunnel” reinforcements was recommended.     

岩溶隧道开挖对溶洞处治结构影响的数值模拟分析

结合清连高速公路白须公特大岩溶隧道施工过程,采用三维有限元软件(ANSYS)对白须公隧道的处治结构与隧道开挖的相互作用进行了数值模拟。以隧道开挖中处治结构和围岩稳定性为研究对象,从而分析处治结构在隧道开挖过程中的受力特性,以及隧道围岩在隧道开挖过程中的位移。通过计算结果,对处治结构在岩溶隧道中的支护效果进行了评价,采用桩-承台-单边支撑墙-联系梁的处治方式是安全可靠的。在隧道开挖过程中,开挖面附近的桩基应变、支撑墙压力都加速变大,随后逐渐稳定,说明处治结构承担了一部分围岩压力,在岩溶隧道施工开挖中发挥了重要作用。分析结果与工程实测数据比较吻合,可为隧道穿越大型溶洞提供设计和施工方面的借鉴和参考。     

考虑盾构铰接作用的小半径曲线隧道开挖诱发地层沉降分析

目前针对小半径曲线隧道开挖诱发地层沉降的理论研究均将盾构机视为一个连续的整体,未考虑盾构机铰接装置带来的影响,由此不能正确评估小曲率盾构开挖路径变化带来的超挖效应等。首先,根据盾构机铰接位置以及盾构机与小曲率隧道开挖路径的几何位置关系,得到了小曲率隧道开挖过程中不同盾构铰接位置超挖量及盾构铰接角计算公式;其次,基于镜像法及Mindlin解,求解了铰接盾构施工时因超挖地层损失、盾尾地层损失、开挖面不均匀推力、盾壳不均匀摩擦力及盾尾处注浆压力等共同影响的地层沉降;最后,采用工程监测数据与理论解进行对比验证,得到较好的一致性。此外,针对隧道转弯半径、前盾长度、盾构铰接角及超挖量等进行了参数分析。分析结果表明：不考虑盾构铰接装置的影响将过高估计地层损失而导致地层沉降预测值偏大。随着转弯半径的减小,前盾长度、盾构铰接角及超挖量的增加,地层沉降增大,但其值变化均对开挖面前方沉降影响较小,对开挖面后方沉降影响较大。在开挖面后方,随着与开挖面距离的增大,当转弯半径取值较小,前盾长度、盾构铰接角及超挖量取值较大时,纵向地表沉降呈先增大后减小趋势。     

盾构掌子面三维破坏模型构建与极限支护力计算

为明确盾构施工掌子面滑移破坏机制并确定掌子面支护力的合理范围,基于滑移线理论和极限分析上限定理,利用空间离散技术提出了一种盾构施工掌子面三维滑移破裂模型。依据大主应力拱理论计算滑移区顶部竖向土压力值,并以此作为滑移破坏区上部的竖向荷载计算掌子面极限支护力。研究表明,土拱效应显著影响掌子面前方土体竖向应力的大小及分布规律;将本模型与已有研究方法进行比较,验证了本模型获取的掌子面极限支护力极限分析上限解在黏性土地层以及摩擦土地层中的适用性。同时本模型构建的掌子面破坏区域形态更加贴近离心试验结果与数值计算结果。     

膨胀土地基中隧道施工对群桩影响研究

在膨胀土地基中进行隧道对群桩影响的三维离心模型试验研究,目标地层损失比为2%,着重研究引起的地基沉降槽、桩的附加沉降、附加弯矩、轴力的变化规律。试验得出：隧道开挖沉降槽空间效应明显;隧道开挖从-0.75D至1.25D时,桩附加沉降呈线性增长,隧道开挖至1.25D以后,桩依然沉降明显。前桩与后桩沉降值不同,桩帽会出现倾斜;前桩上部出现负附加弯矩而下部出现正附加弯矩,而后桩仅在下部出现正附加弯矩;前桩附加弯矩最大值出现在隧道轴线附近,且比后桩附加弯矩大得多;前桩附加轴力随着隧道的开挖而增加,且每步最大值在隧道轴线附近。后桩的轴力也随隧道的开挖而增加,但每步最大值出现在桩顶附近。     

What is the contribution of time-dependent deformation in tunnel convergence?

Tunnel excavation produces stress changes to the ground and strain to the support lining, leading to the closure (convergence) or instability of the excavated area. Convergence recorded after section excavation is assigned to: (i) strain resulting from the progressive tunnel front advance (face advance effect) and (ii) the time-dependent properties of the soil material (ground creep effect). In the present study, based on the geodetic monitoring records of two recent road tunnels in Greece, a simple methodology to estimate the contribution of each of the two effects is presented. Our analysis reveals that at least half of the total deformation of the examined tunnel sections is due to ground creep, indicating that the major portion of tunnel deformation is due to the time-dependent properties of the ground; a result supported by previous studies from other tunnels as well.     

泥浆渗透对盾构开挖面稳定性的影响研究

泥水平衡盾构开挖时,泥浆与开挖面上的土体会形成一层不透水的泥膜,以便泥浆压力有效地作用在开挖面上。但由于刀盘的不断切削,泥膜并不能完全地阻止泥浆对前方土体的渗透,特别是在渗透性较大的砂性土体,或在特殊地质条件下出现泥浆与土体性质不匹配的时候。这种渗透将会减小泥浆对开挖面的支撑作用,过剩泥浆压力将以渗透力的形式作用于开挖面土体。为了定量考虑渗透对开挖面稳定性的削弱,提出了针对泥水平衡盾构开挖面稳定性的泥浆渗透模型。结合极限平衡法的村山公式,考虑泥水的渗透区域与滑动面之间的几何关系对泥水压力进行折减,得到了泥浆渗透模型的开挖面稳定性安全系数,并采用此渗透模型探讨了泥浆渗透对开挖面稳定性的影响。通过与工程算例对比分析表明,实际工程中所需的泥浆压力明显大于“薄膜模型”的计算结果。因此,采用渗透模型进行开挖面稳定性分析是合理、有效的。     

基于量测位移的隧洞围岩弹性抗力系数反演方法

在水工隧洞工程中,岩石弹性抗力系数K反映了岩石弹性抗力的大小,是设计环节中需要确定的一个极为重要的基础计算参数。水工隧洞工程中需用水压法试验测定弹性抗力系数,由于水压法测定抗力系数不仅耗时、费工、且试验工艺复杂。本文通过对比分析弹性状态下深埋圆形隧洞开挖支护与水压法试验力学效应关系,提出一种基于量测隧洞位移的围岩抗力系数的反演方法,该法可根据量测隧洞位移直接反演得到弹性抗力系数。结合北京市南水北调配套工程南干渠工程试验段工程实践,对浅埋水工隧洞位移进行监测,利用提出的反演方法,得到了隧洞围岩的弹性抗力系数。提出的反演方法为复杂水工隧洞不同围岩应力状态问题的弹性抗力系数反演提供参考和借鉴。     

Progressive degradation of rock properties and time-dependent behavior of deep tunnels

Time-dependent response of deep tunnels is studied considering the progressive degradation of the mechanical properties of the rock mass. The constitutive model is based on a rock-aging law for the uniaxial strength of the rock and for the Young’s modulus. A semi-analytical solution is developed for the stresses and displacements around a deep circular tunnel taking into account the face advance. The evolution of the plastic and damage zones over time is determined. Numerical examples are presented for the case of Saint-Martin-La-Porte access adit in France of the Lyon–Turin Base Tunnel. The computed results which are compared with the field data in terms of the convergence of tunnel wall and of the displacements inside the rock mass monitored by multi-point extensometers show the efficiency of the approach to simulate the time-dependent deformation of a tunnel excavated in squeezing ground. Simple relationships are proposed to evaluate the parameters of the constitutive model directly from those of the empirical convergence law presented in previous work.     

Interpretation of Core Extrusion Measurements When Tunnelling Through Squeezing Ground

Squeezing intensity in tunnelling often varies over short distances, even where there is no change in the excavation method or lithology. Reliable predictions of the ground conditions ahead of the face are thus essential to avoid project setbacks. Such predictions would enable adjustments to be made during construction to the temporary support, to the excavation diameter and also to the final lining. The assessment of the behaviour of the core ahead of the face, as observed by means of extrusion measurements, provides some indications as to the mechanical characteristics of the ground. If the ground exhibits a moderate time-dependent behaviour and the effects of the support measures are taken into account, the prediction of convergence is feasible. If the ground behaviour is pronouncedly time-dependent, however, convergence predictions become very difficult, because core extrusion is governed by the short-term characteristics of the ground, which may be different from the long-term properties that govern final convergence. The case histories of the Gotthard Base Tunnel and of the Vasto tunnel show that there is a weak correlation between the axial extrusions and the convergences of the tunnel. By means of the case histories of the Tartaiguille tunnel and Raticosa tunnel, it is shown that to identify potentially weak zones on the basis of the extrusion measurements, careful processing of the monitoring data is essential: the analysis of the data has to take account of the effects of tunnel support and time, and has to eliminate errors caused by the monitoring process.     

盾构高水位下施工开挖面稳定性分析

盾构在有地下水和无地下水地区开挖有很大的不同,特别是在高水位下施工时,因为渗透力的影响可能会引起工作面的不稳定,而在实际工程中,这种影响很少被考虑,从而低估了盾构施工的风险。本文根据渗流场和温度场的相似性,将ANSYS软件的温度场分析功能应用于渗流场的分析,并利用ANSYS软件自带的APDL参数化语言开发渗流力计算模块,渗透力首先在流场进行计算,然后将其作为应力边界条件施加于各节点进行应力和变形分析,探讨渗流力的存在对盾构隧道开挖面稳定的影响。基于此,作者提出一种考虑渗流的新的开挖面稳定性分析方法,使盾构水下掘进的设计施工更加合理。