Ground settlement and tunnel response due to twin-curved shield tunnelling in soft ground with small clear distance

Twin curved tunnels are often encountered in shield tunnelling,where significant complexities in densely exploited underground space are observed.In this study,the ground settlement and tunnel deformation due to twin-curved shield tunnelling in soft ground were investigated using numerical simulation and field monitoring.Different curvature radii of twin curved tunnels and subsequent effects of tunnel construction were considered to reveal the tunnelling effect on ground surface settlement and tunnel deformation.The results show that the settlement trough yields one offset towards inside of curved shield tunnelling.The location of settlement trough and maximum settlement were affected by curvature radius but except for the shape and width of settlement trough.Adjacent parallel twin-curved shield tunnelling could increase the offset of existing settlement trough and maximum settlement.Then,an empirical prediction of surface settlement trough due to twin-curved shield tunnelling with same tunnel diameters in soft clay was proposed,which was applicable to curvature radius less than 800 m.Finally,a minimum radius of 600 m of curvature tunnel was proposed in terms of allowable convergence deformation of tunnel.The result could provide guidance on safety evaluation for twin curved shield tunnelling construction.

Prediction of subsurface settlement induced by shield tunnelling in sandy cobble stratum

This study focuses on the analytical prediction of subsurface settlement induced by shield tunnelling in sandy cobble stratum considering the volumetric deformation modes of the soil above the tunnel crown.A series of numerical analyses is performed to examine the effects of cover depth ratio(C/D),tunnel volume loss rate(h t)and volumetric block proportion(VBP)on the characteristics of subsurface settle-ment trough and soil volume loss.Considering the ground loss variation with depth,three modes are deduced from the volumetric deformation responses of the soil above the tunnel crown.Then,analytical solutions to predict subsurface settlement for each mode are presented using stochastic medium theory.The influences of C/D,h t and VBP on the key parameters(i.e.B and N)in the analytical expressions are discussed to determine the fitting formulae of B and N.Finally,the proposed analytical solutions are validated by the comparisons with the results of model test and numerical simulation.Results show that the fitting formulae provide a convenient and reliable way to evaluate the key parameters.Besides,the analytical solutions are reasonable and available in predicting the subsurface settlement induced by shield tunnelling in sandy cobble stratum.

Assessment of the Influence of Tunnel Settlement on Operational Performance of Subway Vehicles

In the realm of subway shield tunnel operations,the impact of tunnel settlement on the operational performance of subway vehicles is a crucial concern.This study introduces an advanced analytical model to investigate rail geometric deformations caused by settlement within a vehicle-track-tunnel coupled system.The model integrates the geometric deformations of the track,attributed to settlement,as track irregularities.A novel“cyclic model”algorithm was employed to enhance computational efficiency without compromising on precision,a claim that was rigorously validated.The model’s capability extends to analyzing the time-history responses of vehicles traversing settlement-affected areas.The research primarily focuses on how settlement wavelength,amplitude,and vehicle speed influence operational performance.Key findings indicate that an increase in settlement wavelength can improve vehicle performance,whereas a rise in amplitude can degrade it.The study also establishes settlement thresholds,based on vehicle operation comfort and safety.These insights are pivotal for maintaining and enhancing the safety and efficiency of subway systems,providing a valuable framework for urban infrastructure management and long-term maintenance strategies in metropolitan transit systems.

Shallow Tunneling Method and Control Measure for Ground Surface Settlement

In order to ensure that the tunnel deformation and surface settlement are controlled within the allowable range during the construction process,the design unit has compiled technical measures and monitoring schemes for ground settlement control of this project.Based on the example of a shallow tunneling project on Subway line 8,this paper analyzes and discusses the shallow tunneling method in detail and puts forward corresponding technical measures for ground settlement control.

Safety of the express freight train running over a long-span bridge

Purpose-Express freight transportation is in rapid development currently.Owing to the higher speed of express freight train,the deformation of the bridge deck worsens the railway line condition under the action of wind and train moving load when the train runs over a long-span bridge.Besides,the blunt car body of vehicle has poor aerodynamic characteristics,bringing a greater challenge on the running stability in the crosswind.Design/methodology/approach-In this study,the aerodynamic force coefficients of express freight vehicles on the bridge are measured by scale model wind tunnel test.The dynamic model of the train-long-span steel truss bridge coupling system is established,and the dynamic response as well as the running safety of vehicle are evaluated.Findings-The results show that wind speed has a significant influence on running safety,which is mainly reflected in the over-limitation of wheel unloading rate.The wind speed limit decreases with train speed,and it reduces to 18.83 m/s when the train speed is 160 km/h.Originality/value-This study deepens the theoretical understanding of the interaction between vehicles and bridges and proposes new methods for analyzing similar engineering problems.It also provides a new theoretical basis for the safety assessment of express freight trains.

Effectiveness of predicting tunneling-induced ground settlements using machine learning methods with small datasets

Prediction of tunneling-induced ground settlements is an essential task,particularly for tunneling in urban settings.Ground settlements should be limited within a tolerable threshold to avoid damages to aboveground structures.Machine learning(ML)methods are becoming popular in many fields,including tunneling and underground excavations,as a powerful learning and predicting technique.However,the available datasets collected from a tunneling project are usually small from the perspective of applying ML methods.Can ML algorithms effectively predict tunneling-induced ground settlements when the available datasets are small?In this study,seven ML methods are utilized to predict tunneling-induced ground settlement using 14 contributing factors measured before or during tunnel excavation.These methods include multiple linear regression(MLR),decision tree(DT),random forest(RF),gradient boosting(GB),support vector regression(SVR),back-propagation neural network(BPNN),and permutation importancebased BPNN(PI-BPNN)models.All methods except BPNN and PI-BPNN are shallow-structure ML methods.The effectiveness of these seven ML approaches on small datasets is evaluated using model accuracy and stability.The model accuracy is measured by the coefficient of determination(R2)of training and testing datasets,and the stability of a learning algorithm indicates robust predictive performance.Also,the quantile error(QE)criterion is introduced to assess model predictive performance considering underpredictions and overpredictions.Our study reveals that the RF algorithm outperforms all the other models with the highest model prediction accuracy(0.9)and stability(3.0210^(-27)).Deep-structure ML models do not perform well for small datasets with relatively low model accuracy(0.59)and stability(5.76).The PI-BPNN architecture is proposed and designed for small datasets,showing better performance than typical BPNN.Six important contributing factors of ground settlements are identified,including tunnel depth,the distance between tunnel face and surface monitoring points(DTM),weighted average soil compressibility modulus(ACM),grouting pressure,penetrating rate and thrust force.

Comparison of machine learning methods for ground settlement prediction with different tunneling datasets

This study integrates different machine learning(ML) methods and 5-fold cross-validation(CV) method to estimate the ground maximal surface settlement(MSS) induced by tunneling.We further investigate the applicability of artificial intelligent(AI) based prediction through a comparative study of two tunnelling datasets with different sizes and features.Four different ML approaches,including support vector machine(SVM),random forest(RF),back-propagation neural network(BPNN),and deep neural network(DNN),are utilized.Two techniques,i.e.particle swarm optimization(PSO) and grid search(GS)methods,are adopted for hyperparameter optimization.To assess the reliability and efficiency of the predictions,three performance evaluation indicators,including the mean absolute error(MAE),root mean square error(RMSE),and Pearson correlation coefficient(R),are calculated.Our results indicate that proposed models can accurately and efficiently predict the settlement,while the RF model outperforms the other three methods on both datasets.The difference in model performance on two datasets(Datasets A and B) reveals the importance of data quality and quantity.Sensitivity analysis indicates that Dataset A is more significantly affected by geological conditions,while geometric characteristics play a more dominant role on Dataset B.

Limit analysis of supporting pressure in tunnels with regard to surface settlement

The proliferation of Hoek-Brown nonlinear failure criterion and upper bound theorem makes it possible to evaluate the stability of circular tunnels with an original curved collapsing mechanism. The arch effect of shallow circle tunnel is not taken into consideration so that the mechanical characteristics can be easily described. Based on the mechanism, the upper bound solution of supporting pressure of tunnels under the condition of surface settlements and overloads on the ground surface is derived. The objective function is formed from virtual work equations under the variational principle, and solutions are presented by the optimum theory. Comparisons with previous works are made. The numerical results of the present method show great agreement with those of existing ones. With regard to the surface settlement and overloads, the influence of different rock parameters on the collapsing shape is analyzed.

Tunnel face stability and ground settlement in pressurized shield tunnelling

An analysis of the stability of large-diameter circular tunnels and ground settlement during tunnelling by a pressurized shield was presented. An innovative three-dimensional translational multi-block failure mechanism was proposed to determine the face support pressure of large-shield tunnelling. Compared with the currently available mechanisms, the proposed mechanism has two unique features:(1) the supporting pressure applied to the tunnel face is assumed to have a non-uniform rather than uniform distribution, and(2) the method takes into account the entire circular excavation face instead of merely an inscribed ellipse. Based on the discrete element method, a numerical simulation of the Shanghai Yangtze River Tunnel was carried out using the Particle Flow Code in two dimensions. The immediate ground movement during excavation, as well as the behaviour of the excavation face, the shield movement, and the excavated area, was considered before modelling the excavation process.

Calculation of maximum surface settlement induced by EPB shield tunnelling and introducing most effective parameter

This study aims to predict ground surface settlement due to shallow tunneling and introduce the most affecting parameters on this phenomenon.Based on data collected from Shanghai LRT Line 2 project undertaken by TBM-EPB method,this research has considered the tunnel's geometric,strength,and operational factors as the dependent variables.At first,multiple regression(MR) method was used to propose equations based on various parameters.The results indicated the dependency of surface settlement on many parameters so that the interactions among different parameters make it impossible to use MR method as it leads to equations of poor accuracy.As such,adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system(ANFIS),was used to evaluate its capabilities in terms of predicting surface settlement.Among generated ANFIS models,the model with all input parameters considered produced the best prediction,so as its associated R^2 in the test phase was obtained to be 0.957.The equations and models in which operational factors were taken into consideration gave better prediction results indicating larger relative effect of such factors.For sensitivity analysis of ANFIS model,cosine amplitude method(CAM) was employed; among other dependent variables,fill factor of grouting(n) and grouting pressure(P) were identified as the most affecting parameters.

Investigating Effect of Tunnel Gate Shapes with Similar Cross Section on Inserted Forces on Its Coverage and Soil Surface Settlement

According to technology development and relative facilitation in digging and underground structures, ways, highways, all types of tunnels, underground train network, and other underground settle, storage are number of structure built and developed in advanced countries. In most situation, tunnel digging operations are done years after its construction or are not recorded in new structures regulations;therefore, this research investigates soil settlement and inserting force to tunnel coverage by limiting studies about effects of tunnel shapes on soil settlement using Plaxis, Seismo Signal, and Seismo Aspect. This study shows that rectangular tunnel has the most settlement in soil surface and circular tunnel has the least settlement but horseshoe tunnel has similar behavior to circular tunnel;however, earth subsidence level by digging this tunnel is more than circular tunnel. In addition, sectional shape has direct effect on inserting forces on tunnel coverage.

Failure mechanism of large-diameter shield tunnels and its effects on ground surface settlements

A new technique for the analysis of the three-dimensional collapse failure mechanism and the ground surface settlements for the large-diameter shield tunnels were presented.The technique is based on a velocity field model using more different truncated solid conical blocks to clarify the multiblock failure mechanism.Furthermore,the shape of blocks between the failure surface and the tunnel face was considered as an entire circle,and the supporting pressure was assumed as non-uniform distribution on the tunnel face and increased with the tunnel embedded depth.The ground surface settlements and failure mechanism above large-diameter shield tunnels were also investigated under different supporting pressures by the finite difference method.

Numerical simulation for settlement urban tunnel construction

The excavation for the municipal tunnel will disturb the soil around the tunnel,and the deformation and subsidence of the earth surface always take place,which may lead to instability and even collapse for the building above the tunnel. At the same time the deformation and subsidence of the earth surface affect the normal use of underground municipal pipelines,and may cause the road sudden collapse,leading to significantly traffic accidents. The authors did a research by simulating for the excavation of municipal tunnel and designed the related supporting plan,and put forward some suggestions and measures for the design and construction of urban tunnel.

Study of the Pavement Settlement Standard Induced by Tunnel to Under-traverse Highway in Close Quarter

Now the surface settlement induced by shallow buried tunnel to under-traverse highway,mostly adopt the empirical value,3 cm,acquired from Beijing or Shenzhen metro,which is regarded as the controlling standard.But to more project,tunnel under-traverse highway,we must decide the controlling standard flexibly,which should base on the pavement service function and the pavement condition.The thesis,based on the pavement evenness and running comfort ability in the view of completing the pavement service function,supposes the longitudinal pavement settlement cross section as a quadratic parabola,and gets the maximal settlement value in the range of longitudinal pavement influence when the tunnel is under-traverse highway perpendicularly.Then the controlling standard is decided.As Wenxiang Tunnel under-traverse Lianhuo Freeway on Zhengzhou-Xi'an Passenger Dedicated Railway Line for an example,the settlement controlling standard is acquired,and we hope it has an direction and reference value to similar tunnel construction.

Performance of the suspension method in large cross-section shallow-buried tunnels

Large cross-section tunnel construction induces ground surface settlements, potentially endangering both subterranean projects and nearby above-ground structures. A novel tunnel construction method, known as the suspension method,is introduced in this paper to mitigate surface settlement. The suspension method employs vertical tie rods to establish a structural connection between the initial tunnel support system and the surface steel beam, thereby exerting effective control settlements. To analyze the performance of the proposed method, systematic numerical simulations were conducted based on the practical engineering of Harbin Subway Line 3. The surface settlement and vault settlement characteristics during construction are investigated. The results show a gradual increment in both surface and vault settlement throughout the construction process, culminating in a stabilized state upon the completion of construction.In addition, compared to the double-side drift method and the Cross Diaphragm Method(CRD) method, the suspension method can obviously reduce the surface settlement and vault settlement. Moreover, the surface settlements and the axial force of tie rods were continuously monitored during the construction process at the trial tunnel block.These specific monitoring measurements are illustrated in comparison to numerical analysis results. The monitored results show great agreement with the numerical predictions, confirming the success of the project. This research can serve as a valuable practical reference for similar projects, offering insights and guidance for addressing ground surface settlements and enhancing construction safety in the domain of large cross-section tunneling.

基于多域物理信息神经网络的复合地层隧道掘进地表沉降预测

复合地层中盾构掘进诱发地表沉降的准确预测是隧道工程安全建设与施工决策的关键问题。基于隧道施工诱发地层变形机制构建隧道收敛变形与掘进位置的联系,并将其耦合至深度神经网络(deep neural network,简称DNN)框架,建立了预测盾构掘进诱发地层变形的物理信息神经网络(physics-informed neural network,简称PINN)模型。针对隧道上覆多个地层的地质特征,提出了多域物理信息神经网络(multi-physics-informed neural network,简称MPINN)模型,实现了在统一的框架内对不同地层的物理信息分区域表达。结果表明:MPINN模型高度还原了有限差分法的计算结果,可以准确预测复合地层中隧道开挖诱发的地表沉降;由于融入了物理机制,MPINN模型对隧道施工诱发地表沉降的问题具有普适性,可应用于不同地质和几何条件下隧道诱发地表沉降的预测;基于工程实测数据,提出的MPINN模型准确预测了监测断面的地表沉降曲线,可为复合地层下盾构掘进过程中地表沉降的预测预警提供参考。

地下水位变化对砂土地层地铁隧道沉降影响试验研究

为考察地铁运营后列车载荷和地下水对隧道造成的影响,对某砂性土地层城市中某一地铁盾构隧道区段运营6年间的沉降变形进行实测观察;根据实测所得沉降规律,设计并开展缩尺模型试验,研究车致振动条件下因地下水位变化产生的隧道沉降规律。结果表明:随着时间推移,隧道各测点所得数据呈现一定的周期性上升与下降变化趋势,前2年隧道总体上浮,之后略有沉降,第3年后虽有波动但基本未发生进一步沉降,第6年后隧道最大沉降不超过3 mm;砂性土地层中,地下水位变化会造成重塑土层内部应力变化,且振动荷载会导致土体颗粒结构重新调整至密实,易导致隧道发生沉降,因此不能忽视地铁周围施工降水给隧道带来的不利影响;土体振密及因地下水产生的浮力共同作用,导致隧道的上浮及沉降。相比于软土地层,砂性土地层中盾构隧道的沉降速率明显更低且沉降基本稳定时间更短,2种地层下的沉降规律、影响因素完全不同,各地层下的沉降分析理论亦无法相互适用。

黄土盾构下穿不同地下非连续管线的模型试验

针对城市盾构隧道施工下穿既有输气管线引起管线沉降与受力问题,以河南省某在建高速公路为工程背景,进行室内模型试验和有限元数值模拟.考虑不同非连续管线接头间距、接头刚度和管隧间距的影响,探讨管隧正交工况下,隧道开挖对非连续管线沉降、弯矩及管土接触应力的影响.研究结果表明:黄土盾构正交下穿管线存在沉降集中区,在该区范围内,管线接头与管段相对刚度比的大小对管线平均沉降增长速率影响较大,相对刚度比由1.30减小至0.21,非连续管线平均沉降增长速率增大1.5倍;相对刚度比相对大小对非连续管线沉降和弯矩起到决定性作用;通过定义非连续管线综合刚度比,揭示不同综合刚度比下非连续管线最大沉降变化规律和管线最大正负弯矩相对变化规律,其中综合刚度比与管线最大沉降服从3次多项式拟合函数,管线的最大正弯矩值随着最大负弯矩值的改变服从4次多项式拟合函数;管线的管土接触应力变化均呈现“双峰型”变化,管土接触峰值应力随着接头间距的增大而增大;数值模拟表明,管线最大沉降随着管隧间距增大而呈现折线型减小,该转折点出现在管隧间距与隧道开挖直径比为1处.

盾构法隧道开挖面稳定性下的多目标优化研究

盾构法隧道开挖过程中开挖面稳定性保持非常重要,开挖面稳定性下提升工程进度、保障工程质量等目标具有重要的工程意义。目前,针对开挖面稳定性下的多目标优化控制的研究不足。选择掘进效率作为工程进度的指标,选择掘进过程引起的最大地表沉降作为工程质量指标。采用分层序列法和NSGA-II多目标优化算法,将盾构开挖面稳定作为第一层优化目标,工程进度与工程质量作为第二层优化目标,研究盾构开挖面稳定下多目标优化。在一段连续穿越堤坝、空地、敏感建筑三个场景的施工隧道中应用本研究方法,结果表明,优化后的盾构推力维持在上下限区间内,提高了施工效率和减少了地表沉降。本文方法能够根据实际工况自适应的调整和优化控制策略,提高了在实际工程中的适应性和灵活性。为类似盾构隧道工程提供了参考和指导。

上覆软弱路基加固对既有地铁隧道沉降的影响规律

为研究道路施工引起下方既有地铁隧道的沉降问题,在地铁隧道上方斜穿施工道路的基础上,进行了现场隧道沉降变形实测研究,分析了道路在路基注浆加固、路床和路面结构层施工阶段中地铁隧道的沉降曲线。建立地铁隧道-土体-道路模型对道路施工的注浆加固过程及路床和路面结构层施工进行模拟,通过比较地铁隧道沉降计算结果与现场实测值,验证了该精细化模型的准确性。基于此,分析了路床和路面结构层总施工厚度、道路土体性质、隧道下卧土层、隧道衬砌强度等关键参数对地铁隧道的沉降影响规律。结果表明:地铁隧道的沉降值与施工厚度呈正相关关系;道路的存在对隧道的沉降影响越小,其弹性模量和泊松比对地铁隧道沉降几乎没有影响;卧土层的弹性模量越大,土层越不易变形,且地铁隧道沉降越小;衬砌弹性模量增大对地铁隧道沉降影响反而越小。