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.

Influence of secondary lining thickness on mechanical behaviours of double-layer lining in large-diameter shield tunnels

In large-diameter shield tunnels,applying the double-layer lining structure can improve the load-bearing properties and maintain the stability of segmental lining.The secondary lining thickness is a key parameter in the design of a double lining structure,which is worth being explored.Based on an actual large-diameter shield tunnel,loading model tests are carried out to investigate the effect of the secondary lining thickness on the mechanical behaviours of the double lining structure.The test results show that within the range of secondary lining thicknesses discussed,the load-bearing limit of the double-layer lining increases with growing secondary lining thickness.As a passive support,the secondary lining acts as an auxiliary load-bearing structure by contacting the segment.And changes in secondary lining thickness have a significant effect on the contact state between the segment and secondary lining,with both the contact pressure level and the contact area between the two varying.For double-layer lining structures in large-diameter shield tunnels,it is proposed that the stiffness of the secondary lining needs to be matched to the stiffness of the segment,as this allows them to have a coordinated deformation and a good joint load-bearing effect.

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.

Response of operating metro tunnels to compensation grouting of an underlying large-diameter shield tunnel:A case study in Hangzhou

Due to the shield tunneling underneath,long-term settlements may develop in the existing metro tunnels.The compensation grouting is applied worldwide to stabilize the settlement of ground and existing structures.Few field studies concerning large-diameter shield pass-ing tunnel from below have analyzed the interaction between the compensation grouting and the existing tunnel.This paper presents a case study on the response of the operating metro tunnels to the compensation grouting of an underlying large-diameter tunnel in muddy clay stratum.The tunnel deformations before,during,and after the compensation grouting were monitored and analyzed.The long-term tunnel settlements were mitigated and stabilized by the timely compensation grouting.Smaller settlement rates were observed during the grouting treatment,and the settlement was gradually stabilized three months after the grouting.The grouting holes at the tunnel invert were used initially for better grouting efficiency.The horizontal displacement and convergence developed during the grouting construc-tion and remained stable after the grouting process.Moreover,some limitations of the grouting treatment were discussed.The tunnel settlement in the section close to the center-line of the south-line tunnel cannot be prevented effectively.The differential displacement cannot be reduced by this grouting program.