Failure Mechanism of an Underground Metro Tunnel Intersecting Steep Ground Fissure at Low Angle
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 17, Issue 5
Abstract
Failures of metro tunnels that pass obliquely through ground fissures at low angles are a common problem; however, their mechanism is unknown. In the city of Xi’an, China, Line No. 3 of the Xi’an Metro intersects ground fissures at a low angle (<25°) in certain zones. In this study, particle flow numerical analysis and physical model tests were used to investigate ground-surface deformation, structural distortions, and failure characteristics caused by ground fissures. Tests revealed an integrated bend-shear-torsion failure mode of any tunnel that entered a ground fissure obliquely at an angle of 20° or less, under the action of activities associated with a ground fissure. The tunnel structure indicated damage characterized by long longitudinal cracks and multiple groups of subparallel vertical cracks. The range in failure of the tunnel was up to 3.5 times the tunnel diameter on the hanging-wall side and up to 4.5 times the tunnel diameter on the foot wall. When metro tunnels intersect ground fissures at low angles, traditional tunnel designs do not meet minimum safety standards. It is therefore necessary to explore alternative metro tunnel designs in fissure-prone areas.
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Acknowledgments
This work was financially supported by the National Key Fundamental Research Program of China (973) (No. 2014cb744702) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41372328). Our deepest gratitude goes to the anonymous reviewers and editor for their careful work and thoughtful suggestions that have helped improve this paper substantially.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 17 • Issue 5 • May 2017
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 7, 2015
Accepted: Feb 16, 2016
Published online: Mar 21, 2016
Discussion open until: Aug 21, 2016
Published in print: May 1, 2017
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