Stability Analysis of Pressurized 3D Tunnel Face with Tensile Strength Cutoff
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 21, Issue 11
Abstract
The aim of this study is to propose an effective approach to evaluate the stability of a shield tunnel face with tensile strength cutoff by using the upper-bound limit analysis method. Based on the discretization and “point by point” techniques, two improved rotational failure mechanisms, namely the improved collapse failure mechanism and the improved blowout failure mechanism, are developed with the tensile cutoff for the first time. Based on these improved failure mechanisms, the critical collapse and blowout pressures of tunnel faces are then determined by using the upper-bound limit analysis method. The proposed method is then validated by comparisons with previous analytical solutions and numerical results, showing that the proposed method is an effective approach to evaluate the stability of shield tunnel faces. The influences of model parameters on the critical support pressures and the failure feature of the proposed mechanisms are finally presented.
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Acknowledgments
The support from the Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Major Project (Qian-ke-he-zhong-da-zhuan-xiang-zi [2018]3010) is greatly appreciated.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 21 • Issue 11 • November 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 8, 2020
Accepted: Jul 9, 2021
Published online: Sep 15, 2021
Published in print: Nov 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Feb 15, 2022
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