Evolution of Tunnel Uplift Induced by Overlying Oblique Intersection Angle Excavation and an Effective Protection Measure
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24, Issue 11
Abstract
The release of ground stress brought on by overlying excavation poses a significant threat to regular tunnel operation, especially when the foundation pit intersects the tunnel inclination, and the torsional deformation of the tunnel also needs to be considered. Based on the foundation pit intersecting with the subway tunnel at an angle, the U-shaped soil reinforcing (USR) technique was introduced to limit the tunnel heave produced by overlying excavation. The Topcon MS05A automated monitoring system was used to track the following: (1) the evolution of the tunnel heave over time and space; (2) the convergent deformation of the cross section; and (3) the torsional deformation. The reinforcement efficiency of the USR method was assessed with numerical simulations, and the effect of intersection angles and reinforcement dimensions on the deformation of the underlying tunnel was further discussed. In addition, an optimal design was suggested for the USR method that considers cost. Tunnel deformation utilizing the USR method was reduced by 63.40%, and the maximum heave was observed to be merely 6.5 mm. The influence zone on the tunnel by overlying excavation was up to 2.5 times the excavation widths, and the tunnel always produced clockwise rotation. Backfilling generates significant and sharp distortion, so the backfilling speed must be carefully controlled. The foundation pit spanning the tunnel at a small angle caused a bigger heave and torsion of the tunnel, which should be avoided. The proposed optimization approach can determine the cost based on the tunnel deformation control criteria. This study provided a valuable reference for the protection of adjacent excavations of subway tunnels in deep sandy strata.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Key Research and Development Projects of Shaanxi Province (2023-YBSF-440), and the National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 52279111). The authors are thankful for their support.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24 • Issue 11 • November 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 19, 2023
Accepted: May 24, 2024
Published online: Sep 4, 2024
Published in print: Nov 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Feb 4, 2025
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Construction engineering
- Construction methods
- Continuum mechanics
- Deformation (mechanics)
- Degrees of freedom
- Displacement (mechanics)
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering mechanics
- Excavation
- Forces (type)
- Foundations
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Heave
- Soil dynamics
- Soil mechanics
- Solid mechanics
- Structural dynamics
- Structural engineering
- Structural mechanics
- Torsion
- Tunnels
- Uplifting behavior
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