Large scale three-dimensional seepage analysis model test and numerical simulation research on undersea tunnel

During the construction process of Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Undersea Tunnel, the faults and other unfavorable geological discontinuities were often encountered. To study the water inrush mechanism in the faults, both physical model test and numerical analysis were carried out. The results of crown displacement and hydraulic pressure of the monitoring sections in the physical model and numerical model were analyzed in this paper. It was found that the displacement and hydraulic pressure in the process of tunnel construction are often interacted as both cause and effect, and the lower of hydraulic pressure is often accompanied with the growth of its displacement. The changing of the excavation disturbed zone during the excavation in the undersea tunnel was also studied. The results show that the excavation disturbed zone in fault is larger than that in surrounding rock mass, and the excavation disturbance effects in the filling type fault are both transient and persistent. When the displacement and hydraulic pressure in the undersea tunnel change sharply during excavation, there are relatively slow and continuous change trend of the displacement and hydraulic pressure. For practical purposes, to prevent water inrush in the undersea tunnel, more attentions should also be paid to the undersea tunnel after excavation.     

Water inrush risk assessment for an undersea tunnel crossing a fault: An analytical model

Abstract

The geological conditions of subsea tunnels are extremely complex, and a water inrush disaster is prone to occur when crossing a fault. Based on a geological analysis using cloud theory, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and entropy weight theory, we aim to establish a normal cloud model with combination weight for water inrush risk evaluation in subsea tunnels. We select seven main factors, namely, the surrounding rock grade, rock integrity, overburden thickness, seawater thickness, tunnel section, permeability coefficient, and construction technology level as risk assessment indicators for the evaluation model. The risk is divided into five levels, and the numerical characters of the cloud model are calculated based on the standard of each risk level. The subjective weight and the objective weight are determined using AHP and the entropy weight method. The combination weight is calculated using the Delphi method. The comprehensive certainty degree is used to determine the risk level of water inrush. The model is applied to the Qingdao subsea tunnel to evaluate the water inrush risk crossing the F_4-1 fault, and the results are basically consistent with the actual excavation conditions. This article provides a new idea for the risk assessment of water inrush in the subsea tunnel.     

Nonlinear seepage–erosion coupled water inrush model for completely weathered granite

Water inrush from completely weathered granite has presented a significant challenge for tunnel construction, suggesting the urgency and importance of revealing the water inrush mechanism. In this paper, a seepage erosion model is proposed to describe the water inrush. Assuming that completely weathered granite consists of solid grain phase, fluid phase, and fluidized grain phase, the three-phase interaction was constrained by mass balance equations, and the erosion of fluidized grains was described by a modified porosity evolution equation. The fluid flow is governed by a coupled Darcy–Brinkman/Navier–Stokes equation, which responds to the variation of the flow pattern in the evolution process. Then, the validity of the model has been proved, and the superiority has been studied by comparing with the previous models. The comparison results showed that the flow pattern has a significant impact on pore pressure, water velocity, and mutation time, and the proposed model can more accurately predict the development of velocity. Furthermore, this model was used to simulate the development of water inrush and achieved good results in predicting the direction, channel size, and whole evolution process of water inrush. The research findings from the paper can benefit tunnel engineering in the case of water inrush disasters.     

Impacts of confining pressure and safety thickness on water and mud inrush in weathered granite

Abstract

Due to the strong disintegration and water erosion of completely weathered granite, water and mud inrush disasters are apt to take place in this zone during underwater tunnel construction. The pore, compactness, seepage path length, fracture geometries and their interconnections for water and mud transfer are strongly influenced by confining pressure and waterproof-resistant slab safety thickness. In order to inspect the influence, a series of experiments based on a self-designed testing system and non-Darcy testing method were performed. The results indicated that the water and mud inrush evolution increased with the increase of confining pressure and decreased with the increase of safety thickness. In particular, the confining pressure mainly influences the initial evolution stage, and a critical safety thickness to prevent water and mud inrush is obtained. Besides, the non-Darcy testing method results shows that the water and mud inrush evolution affects the influence of non-Darcy flow. For example, while the safety thickness was smaller than the critical value, the evolution was large and unstable and its behavior transferred into nonlinear. In this case, the flow changed to non-Darcy flow.     

Analysis and optimization design of submarine tunnels crossing fault fracture zones based on numerical simulation

Abstract

Fault fracture zones have always been a key problem in the construction of submarine tunnels. To efficiently summarize the safety impact of different construction schemes on a submarine tunnel crossing a fault fracture, a theoretical model using numerical simulation has been established via the benching tunnelling construction method, three-step method, Center Diaphragm method (CD method), both sides heading method, Cross Diaphragm method (CRD method) and two kinds of supporting methods: pre-grouting and shotcreting. Numerical simulation studies on the excavation and support of submarine tunnels crossing fault fracture zones have been carried out. The research indicates: the fracture zone is the main area where sedimentation instability occurs; the CRD method has the lowest horizontal convergence under the support of the diaphragm; increasing the grouting strength is more effective in controlling the deformation of the surrounding rock than increasing the range of the pre-grouting and the thickness of the shotcrete in the initial support is increased, and its resulting effect is obvious. To optimize the construction scheme, we compared the settlement, horizontal convergence and surrounding rock stress of the tunnel according to the simulation results of different excavation support methods, which could provide theoretical guidance for better on-site construction techniques.     

Prediction of risk in submarine tunnel construction by multi-factor analysis: A collapse prediction model

Abstract

Collapse is a major threat in tunnel construction. How to predict collapse risk accurately and timely is a complicated problem. In this paper, a non-linear mathematical model is applied to obtain the potential risk indices for a submarine tunnel using statistical analysis based on previous submarine tunnels, such as the Seikan tunnel and Xiang’an tunnel. Rough set theory is used to screen risk indices, determine each indicator value, and classify risk factors. Traditional weight calculation methods that are overly dependent on expert experience and other subjective factors are optimized and improved. Based on the frequency of each risk factor, the objective weight value of each risk index is determined according to weight back analysis theory. The ideal point method is used to calculate the collapse risk level. Predictions made by this new method are consistent with the actual tunnel collapse risk levels. This new method provides theoretical and technical basis for effectively predicting tunnel collapse.     

Performance evaluation of pin-holed pipe anchor for fractured zone in subsea tunnel

The presence of a fractured zone at a tunnel face can threaten the stability of the tunnel by causing water leakage and degradation of the soil strength. In this case, to stabilize the tunnel face, the pore water pressure is generally reduced and the loss of soil particles is prevented by installing drainpipes. The installation of drainpipes, however, can cause the concentration of flow channels and other ground instability problems. In this paper, a novel pin-holed pipe anchor is proposed to overcome the problems occurring in subsea tunnels. The pin-holed pipe anchor is a pipe-type support member designed to reinforce the ground while simultaneously enabling flow into the tunnel. Here, the design requirements of the pin-holed pipe anchor were examined through material tests, and the structural–hydraulic characteristics of the pin-holed pipe anchor were investigated through a model test. Furthermore, the applicability of the pin-holed pipe anchor to an actual tunnel was evaluated by numerical analysis of actual tunnels. Through selection of an appropriate perforated drainage area and bonded length, the pin-holed pipe anchor contributed to the improvement of the structural and hydraulic stabilities of the tunnel.     

A case study on key techniques for long-distance sea-crossing shield tunneling

Abstract

The Zhanjiang Bay Sea-crossing Tunnel is the first phase of an ambitious plan of the Golden Triangle Economic Zone in southwestern China and passes underneath the deepest artificial shipping channel with the highest level in Asia. The tunnel is a world-record extralong and small-diameter corridor constructed using an uninterrupted single-end shield tunneling method in subsea soft ground under ultrahigh hydraulic pressure for water conveyance. This case study first highlights the engineering challenges of constructing the sea-crossing shield tunnel in subsea soft ground under ultrahigh hydraulic pressure. A series of key techniques are then investigated and some innovations are proposed to address the engineering challenges in the following four key aspects of the sea-crossing shield tunneling process: (a) optimal design of segmental linings; (b) adaptive reformation of the shield machine; (c) structural construction of deep vertical shafts; and (d) supporting techniques of long-distance advancing. On the basis of the field monitoring and numerical analyses, it is concluded that the implemented key techniques ensure the successful management and control of the engineering challenges in terms of optimizing the segmental lining, selecting the shield machine and constructing the vertical working shaft during the sea-crossing shield tunneling process with limited geological investigation data available under submarine conditions.     

Modern Undersea Tunneling Technology and the Undersea Tunnel across Taiwan Strait

It is necessary to construct the undersea tunnel across the Taiwan Straits because it would help strengthen communication between Taiwan and the mainland, promote economic and cultural exchanges, and uphold national unification and territorial integrity. Nowadays, there are many undersea tunnels in the world; the English Channel Tunnel and the Seikan Tunnel are two of the most famous. Rich experience has been obtained during the exploration, surveying, design, construction and operation of these undersea tunnels. So, technologically, it is completely feasible to construct the undersea tunnel of the Taiwan Straits. The total length of the undersea Taiwan Straits tunnel is about 220?km; however, water along most of the proposed tunnel site, is less than 50?m deep and the geological condition of the site is relatively good. Although technical difficulties exists in design and construction, there are some favorable aspects. It is, therefore, necessary to start a study by launching some exploration surveys and collecting related data.     

Modern Undersea Tunneling Technology and the Undersea Tunnel across Taiwan Strait

It is necessary to construct the undersea tunnel across the Taiwan Straits because it would help strengthen communication between Taiwan and the mainland, promote economic and cultural exchanges, and uphold national unification and territorial integrity. Nowadays, there are many undersea tunnels in the world; the English Channel Tunnel and the Seikan Tunnel are two of the most famous. Rich experience has been obtained during the exploration, surveying, design, construction and operation of these undersea tunnels. So, technologically, it is completely feasible to construct the undersea tunnel of the Taiwan Straits. The total length of the undersea Taiwan Straits tunnel is about 220 km; however, water along most of the proposed tunnel site, is less than 50 m deep and the geological condition of the site is relatively good. Although technical difficulties exists in design and construction, there are some favorable aspects. It is, therefore, necessary to start a study by launching some exploration surveys and collecting related data.     

曹妃甸海底深槽斜坡稳定性分析与评价

海底斜坡稳定性受风暴潮、海底地震等诸多不确定因素影响,易发生失稳破坏,产生较大的海洋地质灾害。简要介绍海底斜坡稳定性分析方法,建立曹妃甸深槽典型斜坡计算模型,确定了模型计算的海底地形参数、地层结构参数、土体物理力学参数等指标,利用GEO-SLOPE斜坡分析软件进行海底斜坡稳定性定量计算,分析了工程建设前自然状态下以及在大规模工程建设后海底斜坡稳定性,并模拟分析了在大风浪和地震等极端条件下斜坡的稳定性,确定了海底斜坡失稳空间特征。首次采用数值计算对曹妃甸海底斜坡稳定性进行定量分析评价,可以为类似近海建设工程提供重要的参考作用。     

海洋地球物理探测技术及其在近海工程中的应用

介绍了多波束测深、侧扫声纳测深、浅地层剖面测量、高分辨率地震测量和海洋磁力测量等五项海洋地球物理探测技术的最新进展和简单工作原理,给出了目前国内外广泛使用的主要技术产品型号以及主要参数和性能和展示了这些技术近年来在近海工程,例如海缆（海底光缆、电缆和管线等）路由调查、跨海大桥和海底隧道工程地质环境评价、工程灾害因素分析、海底目标物寻找和水下考古等方面的应用实例。     

GIS方法在南沙群岛海区海底灾害地质研究中的应用

采用GIS方法，对南沙群岛海区海底灾害地质进行空间叠加分析。利用模糊数学方法，对不同灾害地质因素赋予不同的模糊影响权值；运用模糊叠加模型，得到南沙群岛海区海底灾害地质综合评价图。与前人的研究工作进行对比的结果表明，GIS方法是进行海底灾害地质评价的一种有效方法。     

天然气水合物赋存区麻坑地貌特征及其地质灾害意义

文章通过对天然气水合物资源及其赋存区典型地貌体特征的分析,梳理了天然气水合物赋存区和麻坑地貌体的地质灾害类型,阐述了由于天然气水合物分解释放造成海底滑坡、滑塌和甲烷气体大规模逸散,继而引起海底输电或通信电缆毁坏、海洋石油钻井平台垮塌,甚至海啸和全球气候变暖等严重灾害。为天然气水合物勘探和开采提供有益参考。     

Initial results and progress of the Mississippi delta sediment pore water pressure experiment

Abstract

This report describes the instrumentation, initial results, and progress of an experiment designed to measure and monitor submarine sediment pore water and hydrostatic pressures in a selected area of the Mississippi Delta. The experiment also is intended to monitor significant pressure perturbations during active storm periods. Initial analysis of the data revealed excess pore water pressures in the silty clay sediment at selected depths below the mudline. Continuous monitoring of the pore water and hydrostatic pressures was expected to reveal important information regarding sediment pore water pressure variations as a function of the geological processes active in the Mississippi Delta.     

后挖沟深度对深海海底管道屈曲影响数值分析

鉴于海底管道的服役水深越来越深,主要采用犁式挖沟机对预铺设于海床之上的海底管道采取后挖沟的方式将海底管道埋设于海床之下,以保护其免受不必要的损伤。针对后挖沟深度H是海底挖沟机的重要设计参数,也是影响管道悬跨的重要因素的问题,对SMD(UK)犁式挖沟机展开参数优化,确保作业过程中悬跨段管道在外部静水压力作用下,海底管道不会发生屈曲破坏。采用ABAQUS软件,分别建立了作业前和作业中两种工况下的悬跨模型,分析机械手对接触部分管道的损伤,结果显示,作业中的机械手对悬跨管道的损伤更大;同时,建立了作业中不同管径下,后挖沟深度对管道损伤的安全裕量关系曲线。进一步,结合作业中不同挖沟深度下的管跨段屈曲数值模型,对处于外部静水压力作用下的悬跨管的屈曲失效展开分析,结果显示,随着后挖沟深度的加大,不同管径下的悬跨段管道局部出现塑性压溃的临界压力值不断降低;管道外径的增大,降低了同一后挖沟深度下发生屈曲失效的压力值。最后,在后挖沟深度与外部静水压力组成的区域内,建立屈曲失效临界关系曲线,并划分出工作区和压溃区,为深海管道后挖沟埋管的施工提供工程参考。     

用数值计算方法分析潜艇计程仪测速误差

介绍潜艇水压式计程仪的使用原理和方法,分别对SUBOFF潜艇在水面和水下两种航行状态进行了三维粘性数值模拟,获得潜艇计程仪相关部位的流场信息,利用这些信息仿效计程仪的测速过程,得出潜艇水压式计程仪"水上标定,水下用"将会使潜艇测速结果低于实际航速的结论.     

福建省近海海底麻坑的地貌特征及其与海洋工程的联动效应

为科学开发利用海洋资源、防范海底地质灾害和保护生态环境,文章梳理福建省近海海底麻坑的类型和成因,并分析海洋工程与灾害性地貌的联动效应。研究结果表明:受板块挤压和海平面波动等的影响,福建省近海海底地形和沉积环境复杂多变,流体活动形成的海底麻坑主要包括单元麻坑、圆形麻坑、拉长形麻坑、链状麻坑和复合麻坑5种类型,在北部泥质区、南部砂质区、河口区和海湾区有不同分布,其成因主要包括海相生物气、生物气和海陆生物混合热解气;应高度重视海洋工程与海底麻坑等灾害性地貌的联动效应,避免发生海底地质灾害和破坏海洋生态环境。     

Studying internal gravity waves generated by atmospheric fronts over the Moscow region

Internal gravity wave (IGW) data obtained during the passage of atmospheric fronts over the Moscow region in June–July 2015 is analyzed. IGWs were recorded using a group of four microbarographs (developed at the Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences) located at distances of 7 to 54 km between them. Regularities of variations in IGW parameters (spatial coherence, characteristic scales, propagation direction, horizontal propagation velocity, and amplitudes) before, during, and after the passage of an atmospheric front over the observation network, when the observation network finds itself inside the cyclone and outside the front, are studied. The results may be useful in studying the relationships between IGW effects in different physical fields at different atmospheric heights. It is shown that, within periods exceeding 30 min, IGWs are coherent between observation points horizontally spaced at distances of about 60 km (coherence coefficient is 0.6–0.9). It is also shown that there is coherence between wave fluctuations in atmospheric pressure and fluctuations in horizontal wind velocity within the height range 60–200 m. A joint analysis of both atmospheric pressure and horizontal wind fluctuations has revealed the presence of characteristic dominant periods, within which cross coherences between fluctuations in atmospheric pressure and wind velocity have local maxima. These periods are within approximate ranges of 20–29, 37–47, 62–72, and 100–110 min. The corresponding (to these dominant periods) phase propagation velocities of IGWs lie within an interval of 15–25 m/s, and the horizontal wavelengths vary from 52 to 99 km within periods of 35 to 110 min, respectively.     

Safety Assessment of Buried Pipeline during Pile Driving Vibration in Offshore Engineering

To assess the impact of pile driving on adjacent submarine pipelines during the reconstruction of a pier berth, the local damage model of submarine pipelines is established to explore the safety thresholds of the particle peak velocity and horizontal displacement. The results are analyzed and adjusted by the existing standards and the corresponding literatures. Then, a three-dimensional numerical model is presented to assess the feasibility of the construction of piles by the obtained safety limits, in which the nonlinear behavior of the soil and stress–seepage coupling analysis are considered. After the construction, the safety of submarine pipelines is rechecked by the measured value of the particle peak velocity and horizontal displacement. Meanwhile, the propagation law of vibration, the horizontal displacement of underground soil, and the pore pressure during pile driving are explored. The results indicate that the construction of piles of 2# mooring pier did not cause damage to adjacent submarine pipelines. However, the construction of piles of 1# mooring pier which is nearer may cause damage to submarine pipelines.