Coupled Effect of Cross-Sectional Shape and Load Reduction on High-Filled Cut-and-Cover Tunnels Considering Soil–Structure Interaction
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 20, Issue 7
Abstract
High-filled cut-and-cover tunnels (HFCCTs) are common in northwestern China because their construction allows usable land over the CCT to be reclaimed. However, due to the unique landforms of the Loess Plateau in this region of China, the amount of backfill soil that is needed for HFCCTs is enormous, and the backfill must be high enough to maximize the usable land. Currently, the main challenges for the construction of HFCCTs are ultrahigh earth pressure and safety concerns related to the existing CCT lining structure. This paper discusses physical modeling tests that were conducted to investigate (1) load reduction methods that utilize expanded polystyrene (EPS) in the backfill soil; and (2) structural modifications to CCTs. The experimental results agree well with the numerical analysis results. The numerical analysis helped to determine suitable thicknesses of EPS material for load reduction when the CCT was subjected to different backfill heights. Also, by modifying the cross-sectional shape of the lining structure of CCT, the internal forces could be altered to make the concrete structure support more compressive loads rather than succumb to bending moments. This study found that the coupled effects of load reduction using EPS and cross-sectional modifications of the CCT lining structure can significantly reduce the required thickness of the CCT lining structure, enhance the safety of the CCT, and increase the allowable backfill height.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51668036 and 51868041), General Projects of Scientific Research of Higher Education in Gansu (No. 2017A-111), the Changjiang Scholars Program and Innovative Research Team at the University (No. IRT_15R29), and the Energy Geomechanics Laboratory at the University of North Dakota.
References
Ahmed, M., V. Tran, and M. A. Meguid. 2015. “On the role of geogrid reinforcement in reducing earth pressures on buried pipes.” Soils Found. 55 (33): 588–599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2015.04.010.
Allard, E., and H. El Naggar. 2016. “Pressure distribution around rigid culverts considering soil–structure interaction effects.” Int. J. Geomech. 16 (2): 04015056. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000525.
Barchard, J. 2002. “Centrifuge modelling of piled embankments on soft soils.” M.Sc. thesis, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of New Brunswick.
Bryden, P., H. El Naggar, and A. Valsangkar. 2015. “Soil–structure interaction of very flexible pipes: Centrifuge and numerical investigations.” Int. J. Geomech. 15 (6): 04014091. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000442.
Chen, Y. M., C. Wei-Ping, and C. Ren-Peng. 2008. “An experimental investigation of soil arching within basal reinforced and unreinforced piled embankments.” Geotext. Geomembr. 26 (2): 164–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2007.05.004.
Chevalier, B., P. Villard, and G. Combe. 2011. “Investigation of load-transfer mechanisms in geotechnical earth structures with thin fill platforms reinforced by rigid inclusions.” Int. J. Geomech. 11 (3): 239–250. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000083.
Dancygier, A. N., Y. S. Karinski, and A. Chacha. 2016. “A model to assess the response of an arched roof of a lined tunnel.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 56: 211–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2016.03.009.
Dash, K. S. 2012. “Effect of geocell type on load-carrying mechanisms of geocell-reinforced sand foundations.” Int. J. Geomech. 12 (5): 537–548. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000162.
El Naggar, H., A. Turan, and A. Valsangkar. 2015. “Earth pressure reduction system using geogrid-reinforced platform bridging for buried utilities.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 141 (6): 04015024. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001307.
Gu, A. Q., T. T. Guo, and X. P. Wang. 2005. “Experimental study on reducing load measurement using EPS of culvert under high-stacked soil.” Chin. J. Geotech. Eng. 27 (5): 500–504.
Han, J., and M. A. Gabr. 2002. “Numerical analysis of geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported earth platforms over soft soil.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 128 (1): 44–53. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2002)128:1(44).
Han, J., F. Wang, M. Al-Naddaf, and C. Xu. 2017. “Progressive development of two-dimensional soil arching with displacement.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (12): 04017112. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001025.
Hazarika, H. 2006. “Stress-strain modeling of EPS geofoam for large-strain applications.” Geotext Geomembranes 24 (2): 79–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2005.11.003.
Horvath, J. S. 1994. “Expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam: An introduction to material behaviou.” Geotext Geomembranes 13 (4): 263–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/0266-1144(94)90048-5.
Kang, J., F. Parker, and C. H. Yoo. 2007. “Soil-structure interaction and imperfect trench installations for deeply buried concrete pipes.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 133 (3): 277–285. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2007)133:3(277).
Kim, K., and C. H. Yoo. 2005. “Design loading on deeply buried box culverts.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 131 (1): 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2005)131:1(20).
Larsen, N. G., and J. G. Hendrickson. 1962. “A practical method for constructing rigid conduits under high fills.” In Vol. 41 of Proc., 41st Annual Meeting of the Highway Research Board, 273–280. Washington, DC: Highway Research Board.
Li, S., I. H. Ho, L. Ma, Y. X. Yao, and C. D. Wang. 2019a. “Load reduction on high-filled cut-and-cover tunnel using discrete element method.” Comput. Geotech. 114: 103149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.103149.
Li, S., L. Ma, I. H. Ho, Q. C. Wang, B. T. Yu, and P. Zhou. 2019b. “Modification of vertical earth pressure formulas for high fill cut-and-cover tunnels using experimental and numerical methods.” Math. Prob. Eng. 2019: 8257157. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/8257157.
Li, S., L. Ma, Q. C. Wang, S. Z. Li, J. X. Li, and Y. J. Zhang. 2016a. “Model tests and numerical simulations of earth pressure for unloading structures of high fill open cut tunnel.” [In Chinese.] Chin. J. Geotech. Eng. 38 (4): 636–642.
Li, S., Q. C. Wang, L. Ma, and W. Xu. 2016b. “Unloading model test and numerical simulation analysis on high fill loess open cut tunnel with EPS.” [In Chinese.] Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng. 35 (S1): 3394–3401.
Liedberg, N. S. D. 1997. “Load reduction on a rigid pipe: Pilot study of a soft cushion installation.” Transp. Res. Rec. 1594: 217–223. https://doi.org/10.3141/1594-25.
Love, J., and G. Milligan. 2003. “Design methods for basally reinforced pile-supported embankments over soft ground.” Ground Eng. 36 (3): 39–43.
Low, B. K., S. K. Tang, and V. Choa. 1994. “Arching in piled embankments.” J. Geotech. Eng. 120 (11): 1917–1938. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1994)120:11(1917).
MacLeod, T. 2003. “Earth pressures on induced trench conduits.” M.S.C.E. thesis, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of New Brunswick.
Marston, A. 1922. Second progress report to the joint concrete culvert pipe committee. Ames, IA: Iowa Engineering Experimental Station.
McAffee, R. P., and A. J. Valsangkar. 2004. “Geotechnical properties of compressible materials used for induced trench construction.” J. Test. Eval. 32 (2): 11924–11152. https://doi.org/10.1520/JTE11924.
McAffee, R. P., and A. J. Valsangkar. 2008. “Field performance, centrifuge testing, and numerical modelling of an induced trench installation.” Can. Geotech. J. 45 (1): 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1139/T07-086.
McGuigan, B. L., and A. J. Valsangkar. 2010. “Centrifuge testing and numerical analysis of box culverts installed in induced trenches.” Can. Geotech. J. 47 (2): 147–163. https://doi.org/10.1139/T09-085.
McGuigan, B. L., and A. J. Valsangkar. 2011a. “Earth pressures on twin positive projecting and induced trench box culverts under high embankments.” Can. Geotech. J. 48 (2): 173–185. https://doi.org/10.1139/T10-058.
McGuigan, B. L., and A. J. Valsangkar. 2011b. “Field monitoring and analysis of twin 3660 mm inside diameter induced trench culverts installed under 21.7 m of fill.” Can. Geotech. J. 48 (5): 781–794. https://doi.org/10.1139/t11-002.
Meguid, M. A., M. G. Hussein, M. R. Ahmed, Z. Omeman, and J. Whalen. 2017. “Investigation of soil-geosynthetic-structure interaction associated with induced trench installation.” Geotext. Geomembr. 45 (4): 320–330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2017.04.004.
Mehrjardi, G. T., S. N. Moghaddas Tafreshi, and A. R. Dawson. 2013. “Pipe response in a geocell-reinforced trench and compaction considerations.” Geosynth. Int. 20 (2): 105–118. https://doi.org/10.1680/gein.13.00005.
Oshati, O. S., A. J. Valsangkar, and A. B. Schriver. 2012. “Earth pressures exerted on an induced trench cast-in-place double-cell rectangular box culvert.” Can. Geotech. J. 49 (11): 1267–1284. https://doi.org/10.1139/t2012-093.
Palmeira, E. M., and H. K. P. A. Andrade. 2010. “Protection of buried pipes against accidental damage using geosynthetics.” Geosynth. Int. 17 (4): 228–241. https://doi.org/10.1680/gein.2010.17.4.228.
Pham, V., and D. Dias. 2019. “3D numerical modeling of a piled embankment under cyclic loading.” Int. J. Geomech. 19 (4): 04019010. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001354.
Pinto, M. 2003. “Applications of geosynthetics for soil reinforcement.” Ground Improv. 7 (2): 61–72. https://doi.org/10.1680/grim.2003.7.2.61.
Roy, S. S., and K. Deb. 2017. “Bearing capacity of rectangular footings on multilayer geosynthetic-reinforced granular fill over soft soil.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (9): 04017069. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000959.
Rui, R., J. Han, S. J. M. van Eekelen, and W. Yi. 2019. “Experimental investigation of soil-arching development in unreinforced and geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankments.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 145 (1): 04018103. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002000.
Shukla, S. K., and N. Sivakugan. 2013. “Load coefficient for ditch conduits covered with geosynthetic-reinforced granular backfill.” Int. J. Geomech. 13 (1): 76–82. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000181.
Sladen, J. A., and J. M. Oswell. 1988. “The induced trench method—A critical review and case history.” Can. Geotech. J. 25 (3): 541–549. https://doi.org/10.1139/t88-059.
Spangler, M. G. 1958. “A practical application of the imperfect ditch method of construction.” In Vol. 37 of Proc., 37th Annual Meeting of the Highway Research Board, 271–277. Washington, DC: Highway Research Board.
Sun, L., T. C. Hopkins, and T. L. Beckham. 2009. Reduction of stresses on buried rigid highway structures using the imperfect ditch method and expanded polysterene (geofoam). Rep. No. KTC-07-14-SPR228-01-1F. Lexington, KY: Univ. of Kentucky.
Sun, L., T. C. Hopkins, and T. Beckham. 2011. “Long-term monitoring of culvert load reduction using an imperfect ditch backfilled with geofoam.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2212 (1): 56–64. https://doi.org/10.3141/2212-06.
Sun, X. H., L. C. Miao, H. S. Lin, and T. Z. Tong. 2018. “Soil arch effect analysis of shield tunnel in dry sandy ground.” Int. J. Geomech. 18 (6): 04018057. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001135.
Szechy, K. 1973. The art of tunnelling. Budapest, Hungary: Akademiai.
Tang, Y. J., and L. Kuang. 2017. “Study on lining structure selection and design optimization for large-span super high fill open cut tunnels.” [In Chinese.] High Speed Railway Technol. 8 (3): 32–36.
Taylor, R. K. 1973. Induced trench method of culvert installation. Highway Research Record No. 52. Washington, DC: Highway Research Board.
Van Eekelen, S. J. M., A. Bezuijen, and A. F. van Tol. 2013. “An analytical model for arching in piled embankments.” Geotext. Geomembr. 39 (1): 78–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2013.07.005.
Vaslestad, J., T. H. Johansen, and W. Holm. 1993. “Load reduction on rigid culverts beneath high fills: Long-term behavior.” Transp. Res. Rec. 1415: 58–68.
Villard, P., J. P. Gourc, and H. Giraud. 2000. “A geosynthetic reinforcement solution to prevent the formation of localized sinkholes.” Can. Geotech. J. 37 (5): 987–999. https://doi.org/10.1139/t00-002.
Villard, P., A. Huckert, and L. Briançon. 2016. “Load transfer mechanisms in geotextile reinforced embankments overlying voids: Numerical approach and design.” Geotext. Geomembr. 44 (3): 381–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2016.01.007.
Wang, F. 1990. Similarity theory and its application in heat transfer. [In Chinese.] Beijing: Higher Education Publishing House.
Wu, J., S. M. Liao, and M. B. Liu. 2019. “An analytical solution for the arching effect induced by ground loss of tunneling in sand.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 83: 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2018.09.025.
Xu, T. Y., M. N. Wang, L. Yu, Y. C. Dong, and Y. Tian. 2019. “Research on the earth pressure and internal force of a high-fill open-cut tunnel using a bilayer lining design: A field test using an FBG automatic data acquisition system.” Sensors 19 (7): 19071487. https://doi.org/10.3390/s19071487.
Yang, X., K. Hua, G. Q. Ju, and W. X. Ding. 2013. “Research on selection of structure patterns for open-cut tunnel with super large-span and ultra high backfill load.” [In Chinese.] High Speed Railway Technol. 4 (3): 62–67.
Zaeske, D. 2001. Zur Wirkungsweise von unbewehrten und bewehrten mineralischen Tragschichten über pfahlartigen Gründungselementen. Schriftenreihe Geotechnik. [In German.] Kassel, Germany: Univ. of Kassel.
Zhang, W., B. Liu, and Y. Xie. 2006. “Field test and numerical simulation study on the load reducing effect of EPS on the highly filled culvert.” J. Highway Transp. Res. Dev. 23 (12): 54–57.
Zheng, J. J., Q. Ma, and J. Zhang. 2011. “Calculation of vertical earth pressure on load reduction culverts under embankments by reinforcement.” [In Chinese.] Chin. J. Geotech. Eng. 33 (7): 1135–1141.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 8, 2019
Accepted: Dec 3, 2019
Published online: Apr 20, 2020
Published in print: Jul 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Sep 21, 2020
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.