Fault fracture zones are characterized by low strength, loose rock, and poor self-stability. The lining at the contact position is prone to shear and torsion damage. During tunnel operation, shear failure of the lining under earthquake action has attracted widespread attention from researchers. However, there is a lack of clear understanding of the deformation model when a subsea tunnel crosses a fault zone under the condition of high water pressure. In this study, a 3 D-FEM model and theoretical solutions are employed to analyze the characteristics of the lining deformation and evaluate the effectiveness of different pre-reinforcement measures. The models can effectively simulate the construction process of the earth pressure balance shield (EPBS), such as the face pressure, jack force, EPBS gravity, grouting and hardening of the tail void, and they can also accurately simulate different pre-reinforcement measures, such as the umbrella arch method. The results show that the position of damage to the lining is related to the inclination angle of the fault, and the slippage of the fault causes local shear and torsion deformation of the lining. Different pre-reinforcement methods (UAM; Radial grouting; Vertical grouting) have different effects on the slippage of the fault fracture zone.
14 June 2018 in Geotechnical and Geological Engineering
The lining structures of tunnels are typically constructed using sprayed or cast concrete materials, and their performance and quality during tunnel excavation and blasting are crucial for the stability and safety of tunnels. Therefore, the safe distance between the lining structure and blasting source should be determined to avoid concrete damage caused by blasting vibrations. In this study, taking the subway tunnel of Danshan Station in Qingdao as an example, the JH-2 model is introduced as the constitutive model of the tunnel blasting simulation, and the JH-2 model parameters of the local surrounding rock are obtained by experiments, and finally the numerical simulation and theoretical verification are carried out to study the safety distance of shotcrete under various safety judgment standards. The results indicate that the JH-2 model can effectively simulate the propagation of stress waves under different media conditions, and the closer the strength parameters and pressure constant of the lining structure are to those of the surrounding rock, the safer the concrete–rock bonding interface. During tunnel blasting construction using the ring blasting method, the peak particle velocity (PPV) of the lining structure increases with an increase in the arch angle. Based on the numerical simulation results, we recommend that concrete lining be constructed at a distance of at least 62 m from the blasting source to avoid damage caused by vibrations. The effect of concrete tensile failure caused by longitudinal stress is much smaller than the damage to the bonding interface caused by the PPV and can be neglected.
This study integrates macroscopic dynamic triaxial tests with microscopic discrete element simulations to comprehensively examine the dynamic deformation characteristics of marine soft soils under cyclic loading. Unlike previous research that typically focuses solely on experimental or numerical methods, this approach combines both techniques to enable a holistic analysis of soil behavior. The dynamic triaxial tests assessed macroscopic responses, including strain evolution and energy dissipation, under varying dynamic stress ratios, confining pressures, and water contents. Concurrently, discrete element simulations uncovered the microscopic mechanisms driving these behaviors, such as particle rearrangement, porosity variations, and shear zone development. The results show that (1) The strain range of marine soft soils increases significantly with higher dynamic stress ratios, confining pressures, and water contents; (2) Cumulative dynamic strain and particle displacement intensify at water contents of 50% and 55%. However, at a water content of 60%, the samples exhibit significant damage characterized by the formation of shear bands throughout the entire specimen; (3) As water content increases, energy dissipation in marine soft soils accelerates under lower confining pressures but increases more gradually under higher confining pressures. This behavior is attributed to enhanced particle packing and reduced pore space at elevated confining pressures. This integrated methodology not only enhances analytical capabilities but also provides valuable engineering insights into the dynamic response of marine soft soils. The findings offer essential guidance for the design and stabilization of marine soft soil infrastructure in coastal urban areas.