Analytical Solution for Bolted Tunnels in Expansive Loess Using the Convergence-Confinement Method
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18, Issue 1
Abstract
Ground reinforcement using bolts is effective for underground excavations. The ground response of expansive loess tunnels with bolt reinforcement remains poorly understood. Therefore, this paper proposes an analytical solution for bolted rock in expansive ground using the convergence-confinement method. On the basis of the bilinear strength criterion for rock mass, a computational procedure was used to obtain the ground reaction curve (GRC) for expansive loess tunnels with bolt reinforcement. The proposed approach considers ground expansion stress and geometrical parameters, mechanical parameters, and pretension of bolts. The results confirm the positive influence of bolt reinforcement and the negative influence of expansion stress on the GRC. Bolt reinforcement offers good resistance against harmful expansion stress and improves the overall stability of loess tunnels. When the expansion stress of an expansive loess tunnel reaches a certain limit, bolt reinforcement is necessary for tunnel stability. This critical limiting value of the expansion stress can be evaluated using the proposed approach. The proposed analytical solution provides guidelines for the stability estimation of tunnel excavations in expansive ground.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the financial support received from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 51379113) and the support received from the National Key Research and Development Program (Grant 2016YFC0600803).
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18 • Issue 1 • January 2018
Copyright
© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 30, 2017
Accepted: May 8, 2017
Published online: Oct 27, 2017
Published in print: Jan 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Mar 27, 2018
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