Investigating the Long-Term Settlement of a Tunnel Built over Improved Loessial Foundation Soil Using Jet Grouting Technique
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 32, Issue 5
Abstract
Postconstruction settlement that occurs before a tunnel is in operation may significantly influence the tunnel’s long-term stability. The current study investigates such a tunnel, a three-lane superlarge section tunnel in Gansu Province, China, to assess the long-term settlement performance of a loess tunnel using reinforcement from vertical jet grouting piles. A three-dimensional finite-element model, validated through field observations, is employed to simulate soil consolidation behavior. Results indicate that the long-term settlement, as determined by the finite-element method (FEM), corresponds with field investigation results. Specifically, most of the Fujiayao tunnel’s long-term settlement (nearly 90%) occurred within the first 60 days after tunneling. Settlement occurred at a relatively rapid consolidation rate and then gradually stabilized within 120 days with a maximum consolidation settlement magnitude of 14.99 mm according to FEM versus 12.89 mm from field observations. Compared to a case without reinforcement, consolidation settlement in the reinforced case was found to decrease significantly over a shorter consolidation period. Furthermore, the relatively large consolidation settlement surrounding the tunnel, as well as consolidation settlement overall, gradually and uniformly declined in an outward direction from the tunnel. The vertical jet grouting technique exhibited a strong reinforcement effect on the loess tunnel’s foundation and can be applied to similar soft foundation tunnel reinforcement projects to greatly improve the stability and safety of tunnels in operation.
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Acknowledgments
This work is financially supported by the Western Traffic Science and Technology Project (Grant No. 2014 318 J27 210) and the Key Project of Chongqing Application and Development Plan (Grant No. cstc2014yykf30003) and the Special Fund for Basic Scientific Research of Central Colleges of Chang’an University (Grant Nos. 310821172004, 310821153312, and 310821165011). The authors are grateful to the reviewers for their precious comments and advice, which were helpful for the improvement of this paper.
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Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 32 • Issue 5 • October 2018
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 11, 2016
Accepted: Jun 8, 2018
Published online: Jul 14, 2018
Published in print: Oct 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Dec 14, 2018
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