A multi-purpose prototype test system for mechanical behavior of tunnel supporting structure: Development and application

A multi-purpose prototype test system is developed to study the mechanical behavior of tunnel sup-porting structure,including a modular counterforce device,a powerful loading equipment,an advanced intelligent management system and an efficient noncontact deformation measurement system.The functions of the prototype test system are adjustable size and shape of the modular counterforce structure,sufficient load reserve and accurate loading,multi-connection linkage intelligent management,and high-precision and continuously positioned noncontact deformation measurement.The modular counterforce structure is currently the largest in the world,with an outer diameter of 20.5 m,an inner diameter of 16.5 m and a height of 6 m.The case application proves that the prototype test system can reproduce the mechanical behavior of the tunnel lining during load-bearing,deformation and failure processes in detail.

Prototype test study on mechanical characteristics of segmental lining structure of underwater railway shield tunnel

Based on the first unde rwater railway shield tunnel, the Shiziyang shield tunnel of Guangzhou Zhu- jiang River, the prototype test was carried out against its segmental lining structure by using ＂multi-function shield tunnel structure test system＂. And the mechanical characteristics of segmental lining structure using straight assembling and staggered assembling were studied deeply. The results showed that, the mechanical characteristics of segmental lining structure varied with the water pressures; especially after cracking, the high water pressure played a significant role in slowing down the growing inner force and deformation. It also testi- fied that the failure characteristics varied with straight assembling structure and staggered assembling structure. Shear thilurc often occurred near longitudinal seam when using straight assembling.

Method for the posture control of bionic mechanical wheel-legged vehicles in hilly and mountainous areas

In response to the weaknesses of traditional agricultural equipment chassis with poor environmental adaptability and inferior mobility, a novel unmanned agricultural machinery chassis has been developed that can operate stably and efficiently under various complex terrain conditions. Initially, a new wheel-legged structure was designed by drawing inspiration from the motion principles of grasshopper hind legs and combining them with pneumatic-hydraulic linkage mechanisms. Kinematic analysis was conducted on this wheel-legged configuration by utilizing the D-H parameter method, which revealed that its end effector has a travel range of 0-450 mm in the X-direction, 0-840 mm in the Y-direction, and 0-770 mm in the Z-direction, thereby providing the structural foundation for features such as independent four-wheel steering, adjustable wheel track, automatic vehicle body elevation adjustment, and maintaining a level body posture on different slopes. Subsequently, theoretical analysis and structural parameter calculations were completed to design each subsystem of the unmanned chassis. Further, kinematic analysis of the wheel-legged unmanned chassis was carried out using RecurDyn, which substantiated the feasibility of achieving functions like slope leveling and autonomous obstacle negotiation. An omnidirectional leveling control system was also established, taking into account factors such as pitch angle, roll angle, virtual leg deployment, and center of gravity height. Joint simulations using Adams and Matlab were performed on the wheel-legged unmanned chassis, comparing its leveling performance with that of a PID control system. The results indicated that the maximum absolute value of leveling error was 1.08° for the pitch angle and 1.19° for the roll angle, while the standard deviations were 0.216 47° for the pitch angle and 0.176 22° for the roll angle, demonstrating that the wheel-legged unmanned chassis surpassed the PID control system in leveling performance, thus validating the correctness and feasibility of its full-directional body posture leveling control in complex environments. Finally, the wheel-legged unmanned chassis was fabricated, assembled, and subjected to in-place leveling and ground clearance adjustment tests. The experimental outcomes showed that the vehicle was capable of achieving in-place leveling with response speed and leveling accuracy meeting practical operational requirements under the action of the posture control system. Moreover, the adjustable ground clearance proved sufficient to meet the demands of actual obstacle crossing scenarios.

Prototype Loading Tests on Full-Ring Segmental Lining of Rectangular Shield Tunnel

A series of full-scale loading tests are performed for a prospective subway tunnel with a rectangular shape including two reliability tests: one stagger-jointed three-ring reliability test, and one ultimate failure test on a single ring. Comprehensive measuring programs are designed to record the deformation of both lining structure and joints and the stresses of concrete, bolts and reinforcements. Experimental results show that in both the single-ring and three-ring loading cases, the long sides of tunnel cross section bend inwards while the short sides of tunnel cross section bend outwards. The inner part of joints opens while the outer part of joints closes at places experiencing positive moment and vice versa. Joint's rotational stiffness varies at different locations. Concrete cracking and crushing are the chief damage modes, and they are closely related to the distribution of bending moment. Stagger-jointed fabrication significantly increases the overall rigidity of lining system, which thereby greatly reduces the deformation of both concrete lining and joints in comparison with the single-ring case. It is shown that the routinely-used uniform rigidity model is conservative and the preliminary design can be optimized by applying an effective rigidity ratio(ERR) of 0.5.

Numerical simulation of transient characteristics in a bulb turbine during the load rejection process

To evaluate the safety of the bulb tubular turbine,the dynamic hydraulic characteristics of a hydropower station system during the load rejection process are studied through numerical simulations and a prototype test.In the developed model,a dynamic grid technology(DGT)controls the closure of the guide vane and the blade,whilst the moment balance equation and the user-defined function(UDF)provide the runner’s rotation speed.The 3-D transient simulation method can well predict the rotation speed and mass flow curves in the state of load rejection.The simulation outcomes of the system performance are basically consistent with the measurement data of the prototype.As observed,the runner is subjected to the reversely increased torque and axial force,the system is in a braking phase,and the maximum speed peaks at 144.6%of the rated speed.Moreover,the internal flow of the runner is greatly affected by the closure of the guide vane,and the draft tube forms an eccentric spiral vortex rope.It breaks downstream,aggravating the instability of the draft tube.Overall,the transient characteristics span for the first five seconds,demonstrating the importance of establishing an efficient governing controller.The obtained results are useful for designing the turbine’s flow channel with a double regulating function and comprehending the turbine’s transient characteristics.