A methodology for damage evaluation of underground tunnels subjected to static loading using numerical modeling

We have proposed a methodology to assess the robustness of underground tunnels against potential failure.This involves developing vulnerability functions for various qualities of rock mass and static loading intensities.To account for these variations,we utilized a Monte Carlo Simulation(MCS)technique coupled with the finite difference code FLAC^(3D),to conduct two thousand seven hundred numerical simulations of a horseshoe tunnel located within a rock mass with different geological strength index system(GSIs)and subjected to different states of static loading.To quantify the severity of damage within the rock mass,we selected one stress-based(brittle shear ratio(BSR))and one strain-based failure criterion(plastic damage index(PDI)).Based on these criteria,we then developed fragility curves.Additionally,we used mathematical approximation techniques to produce vulnerability functions that relate the probabilities of various damage states to loading intensities for different quality classes of blocky rock mass.The results indicated that the fragility curves we obtained could accurately depict the evolution of the inner and outer shell damage around the tunnel.Therefore,we have provided engineers with a tool that can predict levels of damages associated with different failure mechanisms based on variations in rock mass quality and in situ stress state.Our method is a numerically developed,multi-variate approach that can aid engineers in making informed decisions about the robustness of underground tunnels.

Mechanical responses of underground carriageway structures due to construction of metro tunnels beneath the existing structure:A case study

To understand the mechanical response pattern of the existing structure and ground due to the construction of metro tunnels underneath,the finite difference method is adopted to study the torsional deformation and stress variation of the existing structure and the effect of underground carriageway structures on the surface subsidence.The curves of the maximum differential subsidence,torsion angle,and distortion of the cross-section of the existing structure show two peaks in succession during traversing of two metro tunnels beneath it.The torsion angle of the existing structure changes when the two tunnels traverse beneath it in opposite directions.The first traversing of the shield tunnel mainly induces the magnitude variation in torsional deformation of the existing structure,but the second traversing of the subsurface tunnel may cause a dynamic change in the magnitude and form of torsional deformation in the existing structure.The shielding effect can reduce the surface subsidence caused by metro tunnel excavation to a certain extent,and the development trend of subsidence becomes slower as the excavation continues.

Discussion on Structural Health Monitoring of Urban Underground Road Tunnel

The number of urban underground road tunnels in China is increasing year by year,and health monitoring of tunnels is an effective management method to ensure their structural integrity.However,for shorter underground road tunnel projects,insufficient investment often leads to less frequent application of health monitoring systems.The application of intelligent structural health monitoring means can not only reduce the project cost but also help workers fully understand the actual situation of the tunnel structure.Therefore,this paper analyzes the characteristics,problems,and design of the urban underground road tunnel structural health monitoring system,and discusses the implementation of the urban underground road tunnel structural health monitoring system.

Tunnel, Infrastructure Convergences/Monitoring and Engineering Role

Worldwide we see that the construction industry is expanding, requiring new directions, new perspectives that can help reduce time, cost, and make transportation easy, safe, and affordable. For decades now, most of the large cities have completed their surface infrastructure. It has become urgent to address their issues for overpopulated cities where nowadays all infrastructure is overwhelmed, these issues must be addressed, solved and have vision to build underground infrastructure. Developed countries are focused on expanding their infrastructure for road systems, subway network, railway, storm, and sanitary systems. The emergency for underground infrastructure development requires more large-scale projects to be built and it is becoming more crucial building tunnels/underground structures for the future than ever before. Engineering focus, scientific searches are looking to develop their ideas for designing and delivering project underground, but government, agencies and engineers are concerned about the safety, durability, functionality, and the lifetime of this structures planned to be functional for decades. To address all this concerns this study provides information of how to identify the risk on tunnels and underground structures by capturing data from the beginning phases of construction, to analyze, evaluate and produce bulletins and engineering reports through convergences and monitoring. Convergences are the key factor on development of infrastructure underground as it is the only way to explore and analyze the rock mass disturbance during excavation. Convergences and monitoring in infrastructure are the safety coefficient for building underground, preventing accidents, and assessing real risks associated with tunnel/mine works and ensuring progress of the construction in underground structures. This study delves into the engineering role of convergence monitoring, during construction activities on project excavated using New Austrian Tunnelling method and Sequential Excavation Method. The primary objective of convergence monitoring is to gather critical information on ground movements and disturbances, thereby enhancing safety measures during tunnel construction. The monitoring process serves as an early warning system offering evidence of the real risks associated with underground infrastructure, bringing results and engineering data to be used for the design as key coefficient for structural design, type of material, type and strength of the concrete, rebars, concrete mix design. By using the convergence and monitoring system on underground infrastructure this study represents information that can contribute to risk assessment, structural analysis, and the lifetime of a project.

A series solution for surface motion amplification due to underground twin tunnels:incident SV waves

A series solution of displacement response of the ground surface in the presence of underground twin tunnels subjected to excitation of incident plane SV waves is derived by using Fourier-Bessel series expansion method.The numerical parametric study shows that underground twin tunnels significantly amplify the nearby surface ground motion.It is suggested that the effect of subways on ground motion should be considered when the subways are planned and designed.

Influence of underground water seepage flow on surrounding rock deformation of multi-arch tunnel

Based on a typical multi-arch tunnel in a freeway, the fast Lagrangian analysis of continua in 3 dimensions(FLAC3D) was used to calculate the surrounding rock deformation of the tunnel under which the effect of underground water seepage flow was taken into account or not. The distribution of displacement field around the multi-arch tunnel, which is influenced by the seepage field, was gained. The result indicates that the settlement values of the vault derived from coupling analysis are bigger when considering the seepage flow effect than that not considering. Through the contrast of arch subsidence quantities calculated by two kinds of computation situations, and the comparison between the calculated and measured value of tunnel vault settlement, it is found that the calculated value(5.7-6.0 mm) derived from considering the seepage effect is more close to the measured value(5.8-6.8 mm). Therefore, it is quite necessary to consider the seepage flow effect of the underground water in aquiferous stratum for multi-arch tunnel design.

Location estimation of autonomous driving robot and 3D tunnel mapping in underground mines using pattern matched LiDAR sequential images

In this study,a machine vision-based pattern matching technique was applied to estimate the location of an autonomous driving robot and perform 3D tunnel mapping in an underground mine environment.The autonomous driving robot continuously detects the wall of the tunnel in the horizontal direction using the light detection and ranging(Li DAR)sensor and performs pattern matching by recognizing the shape of the tunnel wall.The proposed method was designed to measure the heading of the robot by fusion with the inertial measurement units sensor according to the pattern matching accuracy;it is combined with the encoder sensor to estimate the location of the robot.In addition,when the robot is driving,the vertical direction of the underground mine is scanned through the vertical Li DAR sensor and stacked to create a 3D map of the underground mine.The performance of the proposed method was superior to that of previous studies;the mean absolute error achieved was 0.08 m for the X-Y axes.A root mean square error of 0.05 m^(2)was achieved by comparing the tunnel section maps that were created by the autonomous driving robot to those of manual surveying.

Excavation of underground research laboratory ramp in granite using tunnel boring machine: Feasibility study

Underground research laboratory(URL)plays an important role in safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste(HLW).At present,the Xinchang site,located in Gansu Province of China,has been selected as the final site for China’s first URL,named Beishan URL.For this,a preliminary design of the Beishan URL has been proposed,including one spiral ramp,three shafts and two experimental levels.With advantages of fast advancing and limited disturbance to surrounding rock mass,the tunnel boring machine(TBM)method could be one of the excavation methods considered for the URL ramp.This paper introduces the feasibility study on using TBM to excavation of the Beishan URL ramp.The technical challenges for using TBM in Beishan URL are identified on the base of geological condition and specific layout of the spiral ramp.Then,the technical feasibility study on the specific issues,i.e.extremely hard rock mass,high abrasiveness,TBM operation,muck transportation,water drainage and material transportation,is investigated.This study demonstrates that TBM technology is a feasible method for the Beishan URL excavation.The results can also provide a reference for the design and construction of HLW disposal engineering in similar geological conditions.2020 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics,Chinese Academy of Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Use of fuzzy set theory for minimizing overbreak in underground blasting operations——A case study of Alborz Tunnel,Iran

In order to increase the safety of working environment and decrease the unwanted costs related to overbreak in tunnel excavation projects, it is necessary to minimize overbreak percentage. Thus, based on regression analysis and fuzzy inference system, this paper tries to develop predictive models to estimate overbreak caused by blasting at the Alborz Tunnel. To develop the models, 202 datasets were utilized, out of which 182 were used for constructing the models. To validate and compare the obtained results,determination coefficient(R2) and root mean square error(RMSE) indexes were chosen. For the fuzzy model, R2 and RMSE are equal to 0.96 and 0.55 respectively, whereas for regression model, they are 0.41 and 1.75 respectively, proving that the fuzzy predictor performs, significantly, better than the statistical method. Using the developed fuzzy model, the percentage of overbreak was minimized in the Alborz Tunnel.

European legal framework related to underground mining and tunnelling concerning commission directive (EU) 2017/164, 31 January establishing a fourth list of indicative occupational exposure limit values

Directive(EU)2017/164 establishes a fourth list of indicative occupational exposure limit values(IOELVs)to protect workers from risks of exposure to hazardous chemicals.It states that in underground mining and tunnelling,Member States may benefit from a transitional period regarding IOELVs for nitrogen monoxide,nitrogen dioxide,and carbon monoxide,during which the existing established IOELVs may be applied.The European Advisory Committee on Health and Safety at Work questions the technical feasibility of the proposed IOELVs in underground mining(CO,NO and NO2)and tunnelling(NO and NO2).Challenges arise concerning the availability of measurement methodologies for compliance with proposed IOELVs(NO2)in underground mining and tunnelling environments.

Random Vibration Analysis of Urban Underground Tunnels Under Vertical Earthquake Excitations Based on Mass–Damper–Spring Model

In this paper, the verticalseismic effects on tunnels are studied based on a classic mass–damper–spring model. An analyticaldiscrete modelof urban underground tunnels subjected to verticalearthquake excitations is proposed by considering the first verticalvibration mode. Taking a light railproject in Tianjin as an example, this study uses the proposed discrete modelto analyze the displacements of tunneland soilunder verticalearthquake excitations. The soildisplacement responses at different tunnellocations are analyzed with linear random vibration theory.The computationalcost is greatly reduced using the proposed model. It can be seen that different from the case of horizontalearthquakes, the displacement responses under verticalearthquake excitations keep growing after seismic acceleration reaches its peak for a short duration, and then,they begin to decay. The soils at different positions around the tunnels have large relative displacement under verticalearthquake excitations. Moreover, a finite-element modelis also established for displacement responses using ABAQUS.The comparison with the results of the finite-element modelshows that the results of the proposed discrete modelare available.

Research on Combined Construction Technology for Cross-Subway Tunnels in Underground Spaces

Given the increasingly notable segmentation of underground space by existing subway tunnels, it is dif- ficult to effectively and adequately develop and utilize underground space in busy parts of a city. This study presents a combined construction technology that has been developed for use in underground spaces; it includes a deformation buffer layer, a special grouting technique, jump excavation by compart- ment, back-pressure portal frame technology, a reinforcement technique, and the technology of a steel portioning drum or plate. These technologies have been successfully used in practical engineering. The combined construction technology presented in this paper provides a new method of solving key techni- cal problems in underground spaces in effectively used cross-subway tunnels. As this technology has achieved significant economic and social benefits, it has valuable future applications.

PRESENT SITUATION AND FUTURE PROSPECT OF APPLICATION OF TUNNELING MACHINE TO CHINESE UNDERGROUND ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION

The application of tunneling machine to Chinese underground engineering construction is outlined,and its future prospect is forecasted in the light of the requirements for Chinese underground engineering construction in the 21st century. Further suggestion is put forward on the effective use of tunneling machine.

A History of the Urban Underground Tunnel (4000 B.C.E. - 1900 C.E.)

Generally hidden from public view, out of our daily thoughts, and literally under our feet, are myriad urban underground tunnels that make our modern megacities possible. From their ancient beginnings in antiquity, as a means of supplying fresh water and draining waste water from cities, underground tunnels evolved into a means of providing high capacity rail mass transit in our most densely populated urban centers. This paper provides a broad overview of the evolution of urban tunnels across a 6000 year time span and includes the specific engineering formulas/computations for the earliest 19th century subways/infrastructure projects based on the Roman vaulted arch tunnel.

The Use of Underground Metro Stations and Tunnels as Protective Structures in Case of Nuclear Emergencies

This paper discusses the use of Underground Metro stations and tunnels as protective structures in case of nuclear emergencies. Six lines are taken as a case study to investigate the use of their underground stations and tunnels. The research explains the structural design of Underground Metro and the necessary needs for hidden people inside Underground Metro used as shelters. The research investigates the calculations of the number of hidden persons inside Underground Metro used as shelters. A field study has been conducted to an Underground Metro station to detemaine the peaceful use and the emergency use of all basements of the station. Also, the field study aims to determine the existing spaces and the needed spaces of the Underground Metro station to dual--used as a nuclear shelter. Three Underground Metro stations have been selected and a field study has been conducted to determine the usages of these basements, the planning, general and design features for each one of them, and whether they can be used as protective structures for citizens in emergencies. These basements were compared for their protective factors. Also, their capacities for sheltering were calculated.

Practice Research on Standardization of Undergraduate Graduation Design of Tunnel and Underground Engineering

Graduation project(thesis)is an important practice part in undergraduate education,which forms an organic whole with theoretical teaching link,and it is the continuation,deepening and examination of the theoretical teaching part.This paper focuses on the constitution that the lack of quality standards for undergraduate graduation design,resulting in different depth and breadth standards;the graduation design materials are scattered and lack of standardization,which leads to the lack of systematic reference materials for students,taking the tunnel and underground engineering major as an example,this paper carries out the practice research on the standardization of the graduation design of tunnel and underground engineering through investigation and combining the teaching resources accumulated in the past decades.Through the study of practice,the content of undergraduate graduation design of tunnel and underground engineering is standardized,the breadth and depth of graduation design is defined,and the“Guide for undergraduate graduation design of tunnel and underground engineering”is organized and compiled,which can provide reference for the standardization and guidance of undergraduate graduation design of tunnel and underground engineering.

Data-Driven Model for Risk Assessment of Cable Fire in Utility Tunnels Using Evidential Reasoning Approach

Cable fire is one of the most important events for operation and maintenance(O&M)safety in underground utility tunnels(UUTs).Since there are limited studies about cable fire risk assessment,a comprehensive assessment model is proposed to evaluate the cable fire risk in different UUT sections and improve O&M efficiency.Considering the uncertainties in the risk assessment,an evidential reasoning(ER)approach is used to combine quantitative sensor data and qualitative expert judgments.Meanwhile,a data transformation technique is contributed to transform continuous data into a five-grade distributed assessment.Then,a case study demonstrates how the model and the ER approach are established.The results show that in Shenzhen,China,the cable fire risk in District 8,B Road is the lowest,while more resources should be paid in District 3,C Road and District 25,C Road,which are selected as comparative roads.Based on the model,a data-driven O&M process is proposed to improve the O&M effectiveness,compared with traditional methods.This study contributes an effective ER-based cable fire evaluation model to improve the O&M efficiency of cable fire in UUTs.

故障树和模糊贝叶斯网络在管廊运维风险评估中的应用研究

地下综合管廊是城市的生命线,一旦出现问题就会对人们生命财产安全造成巨大损害。为了系统地分析管廊运维风险,建立了基于模糊贝叶斯网络的风险评估框架。首先,通过分析管廊运维风险源与风险形成的原因以确定风险事件和风险类别;其次,建立管廊运维风险故障树来梳理风险因素之间的逻辑关系,将故障树映射为贝叶斯网络;最后,结合专家模糊评价,构建地下综合管廊运维风险评估模型。案例分析结果显示:中间事件“火灾、爆炸”与“危害气体浓度过高”的发生概率较高。敏感性分析结果显示:“运维人员操作和维护不当”是导致管廊运维风险发生的根本事件,因此需要制定严格管理措施及规范,加强对运维人员的素质培训,以降低管廊运维过程中各种风险的发生概率。

基于故障树和贝叶斯网络的管廊运维风险评估

城市地下综合管廊在运维过程中事故时有发生,为了量化管廊运维风险并分析关键风险因素,提出一种基于故障树和模糊贝叶斯网络的城市地下综合管廊运维风险评估方法。在综合考虑管廊风险因素的基础上构建故障树模型,将其映射为贝叶斯网络。基于ALARP准则划分风险因素状态等级,根据模糊数和模糊子集计算底事件的发生概率,利用最大似然估计法求解中间事件的条件概率,构建管廊运维风险贝叶斯网络模型,精准评估城市地下综合管廊运维风险。结果表明:所评估的管廊运维过程风险等级为High的概率为28%,接近30%的风险阈值,因此需要及时对管廊风险进行管控。该方法能够科学、合理地评价风险水平并确定关键因素,可为管廊运维安全保障和管理提供参考。

地铁双线隧道下穿既有车站冻结加固冻胀控制措施

针对城市长距离大断面地下空间冻结工程的冻胀特性问题,依托上海地铁18号线国权路站双线隧道下穿既有车站冻结工程,基于热力耦合方程,利用有限元软件建立三维数值模型,结合室内试验所得物理参数,研究该工程的冻胀位移场演化规律,并探究错峰冻结、调整盐水温度等措施对冻胀位移场的影响规律。在本试验条件下,研究结果表明:①冻胀引起的车站底板变形主要发生于积极冻结期;双线隧道同时冻结模式下,冻结45 d时车站底板竖向位移量达到冻结90 d时竖向位移量的77.72%。②冻结90 d时,错峰冻结工况下车站底板竖向位移量较双线隧道同时冻结时减小了7.7%,表明错峰冻结避免了同一时间段内的冻胀叠加效应,一定程度上降低冻胀效应。③冻结90 d时,调整盐水温度工况下车站底板竖向位移量较温度调控前减小34.2%;表明调整盐水温度可控制冻土扩展速率,有效降低冻胀效应。实际工程中,采用错峰冻结、调整盐水温度等措施协同控制冻胀,车站底板最大竖向位移为25.41 mm;数值模拟所得车站底板抬升规律与实测数据基本一致,有效指导了工程施工。