Shaking table tests of tunnel linings in progressive states of damage

Tunnels have long been assumed to be able to withstand earthquakes and suffer little damage. However, investigations of tunnels after the Wenchuan earthquake in China revealed that over 30 tunnel linings were cracked. Different types of cracks were found in almost all the tunnel linings. In this study, a series of shaking table tests were conducted on scaled tunnel models under seismic excitations with increasing intensities. White noise sweep tests were interlaced with the seismic excitations to identify the damage in the tunnel linings. The accelerations and strains of the tunnel lining were measured. The test results are discussed based on the dominant frequencies, amplification factor, and lining strains. Furthermore, this paper presents the results of damage identification for various states of damage using the white noise sweep method. The dominant frequencies decreased with an increase of the input peak ground acceleration (PGA), which also reflected the damage of the tunnel lining. The dominant frequencies decreased by approximately 32% for an input PGA intensity of approximately 0.6 g, but the first cracks could still be visually detected. The cracks gradually propagate with the PGA increasing from 0.6 to 0.8 g. The effect of lining damage on the seismic performance of tunnel linings should be considered in the seismic design of tunnels.     

Optimum model extent for numerical simulation of tunnel inflow in fractured rock

The objective of this study is the introduction of an optimum model extent in discontinuous rock masses for tunnel inflow assessment using numerical models. Tunnel groundwater inflow is an important problem in tunneling, and numerical simulation is widely used for estimating the amount of tunnel inflow. An adequate size of the model domain is of very high importance when using such models. On the one hand, if the tunnel boundary is too close to the outer model boundary, the simulated inflow rate into the tunnel is significantly overestimated (which will be shown in the present study). On the other hand, if the model domain is very large, models may become “unhandy”, and simulations become very expensive with respect to computer memory and CPU. In this technical note, an approach is presented that derives an optimum model extent for numerical simulation of tunnel inflow in fractured rock. The approach uses the two-dimensional universal distinct element code (UDEC). The impact of different model parameters, such as tunnel radius, groundwater level, joint spacing, joint dip/dip direction and joint aperture on the optimum model extent has been evaluated. Based on the results, an optimum model extent chart is presented that allows modelers a quick determination of the optimum model extent as a function of the most significant parameters, which are the tunnel depth under the groundwater level, tunnel radius and joint spacing.     

Evaluating the effect of soil structure on the ground response during shield tunnelling in Shanghai soft clay

When evaluating tunnel-induced ground response in Shanghai soft clay, the soil structure and its degradation behaviour of natural Shanghai soft clay during shield tunnelling should be properly considered. In this paper, a constitutive model that considers the initial soil structure and its destructuration is formulated within the framework of critical-state soil mechanics. The model is successfully calibrated and used to simulate the undrained behaviour of natural Shanghai soft clay. Based on the proposed model, finite-element analyses are conducted to simulate the short- and long-term ground responses induced by tunnelling at Shanghai metro line 2. The comparisons between numerical results and field measurements reported in literature indicate that the soil structure and the tunnel-induced destructuration significantly affects the magnitude and shape of the short-term surface settlement trough and horizontal displacement in Shanghai soft clay. The pore pressure variations around the tunnel are also affected by soil structure, which will significantly influence the long-term ground consolidation settlement in Shanghai soft clay.     

A computational study on effects of fire location on smoke movement in a road tunnel

In this work, a numerical model of tunnel fire is developed and aimed to investigate the influence of cross-sectional fire locations on critical velocity and smoke flow characteristic. It is shown that the critical velocity for a fire next to the wall is obviously higher than that for a fire in the middle or on the left/right lane. The ratio is estimated to be 1.12. The predictions of critical velocity from ‘small-fire’ models show a good agreement with that for a fire in the middle or on the left/right lane from CFD. The tunnel height at the fire location is proposed to be instead of the hydraulic tunnel height in the ‘big-fire’ model of Wu and Bakar for a fire next to the wall. The smoke moves backward in a tongue like form as the ventilation velocity is lower than the critical velocity. The back-layering length of a fire in the middle is shown to be approximate twice than that on the left/right lane under the same ventilation velocity, although they share the same critical velocity. Whereas a relatively short back-layering length for a fire next to the wall under the velocity of 2.6 and 2.7 m/s. In addition, a snaky high-temperature profile on the top wall at the initial downstream is observed for a fire on the left lane and next to the wall, and finally a steady and layered smoke flow. The likely cause of this phenomenon is subsequently explained in this study.     

Precast tunnel segments with GFRP reinforcement

The possibility of substituting the traditional steel reinforcement with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars in precast segmental lining tunnels is investigated herein.The use of this kind of reinforcement in tunnel segments allows several advantages mainly related to durability aspects or when provisional lining is forecast. Furthermore, GFRP reinforcement can be used when dielectric joints are necessary.In the presented research, full-scale bending tests have been performed on precast segments in order to compare the structural performance of GFRP reinforced concrete with respect to traditional steel reinforced concrete. Furthermore, peculiar aspects of the design procedure for the proposed solution are remarked and discussed.     

Spin valve effect in sputtered FL-MoS2 and ferromagnetic shape memory alloy based magnetic tunnel junction

In the last decade, two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides have been introduced with great significance in the spintronic devices for their extraordinary electrical, optical, and spin-dependent properties. In this work, we have fabricated a few-layer molybdenum disulfide (FL-MoS₂) (~6 nm) as a non-magnetic spacer layer in Ni–Mn–In/FL-MoS₂/Ni–Mn–In magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) using DC magnetron sputtering. FL-MoS₂ thin film sandwiched between two ferromagnetic shape memory alloy based electrodes exhibit semiconducting behavior, confirmed by current-voltage (I–V) characteristics and temperature dependent resistance measurement. The fabricated MTJ shows spin valve effect in the presence of an external magnetic field. The tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) has been recorded in 10 K–300 K temperature range. The highest TMR ratio of 0.51% was obtained at a low temperature ~10 K, corresponding to the spin polarization of ~5%. This TMR ratio reduces to a value of 0.032% as the temperature of the device increases up to 300 K, displaying a finite TMR at room temperature. A detailed study of thickness and temperature-dependent magnetization versus magnetic field (M ? H) hysteresis loops of Ni–Mn–In thin films has been performed to understand the complex TMR behavior. The present study paves the way for the use of sputtered FL-MoS₂ and ferromagnetic shape memory alloy in ultrafast spintronics for advanced magnetic devices application.     

Dynamic centrifuge tests on isolation mechanism of tunnels subjected to seismic shaking

Isolation layer is one of the countermeasures to enhance seismic safety of tunnels. Its behavior under earthquake is affected by many factors such as shape of the tunnel, stiffness of the isolation layer and the characteristics of the input motion. However, current knowledge on the effects of these parameters on the seismic behavior of isolation layer is limited to lack of experimental data. This paper focuses on the mechanism of isolation layer, especially the efficacy of input motion frequencies on the seismic behavior of a square tunnel with isolation layer around its outer surface. Dynamic centrifuge tests were carried out on model tunnels which took isolation layer as seismic countermeasure using input motion of sinusoidal waves of different frequencies. Actual records of ground motions, magnified to approximate 15 g peak acceleration, formed the basis of the excitations to verify the actual efficacy. Due to the difference between model material (aluminum alloy) and prototype material (concrete), the similar flexural deformation law and the similar axial deformation law could not be satisfied simultaneously. Given the fact that cross-sectional moments were one of the main factors that influenced the safety of tunnels under dynamic loadings, the similar flexural deformation law was accepted in model preparation. The results show that the bending strains of tunnel with isolation layer around its outer surface are lower than those of tunnel without isolation layer, which indicates that isolation layer has positive effect on moment reduction, especially at corners. Increasing of the input motion frequency decreases the dynamic cross-sectional bending moments. In addition, isolation layer has little influence on frequency contents of acceleration response of tunnel. This study has clarified the mechanism of isolation layer on shock absorption, which is proved to be an effective method to improve the safety of tunnel against earthquake.     

Analysis of tunnel displacement accuracy with total station

The remote distance measurement (RDM) method requires only common total stations and not special post-processing software. Moreover, this method is easy to operate and highly accurate results can be obtained. Therefore, RDM is used in the displacement monitoring of tunnel engineering. This study presents the calculation formulas for the crown settlement and wall convergence of tunnel as measured by RDM with total station. The mean error formulas are derived based on error propagation laws. When tunnel displacements measured by using total station with the m_s not more than 2 mm + 2D ppm (D is the measurement distance) and m_α not more than 1″, the horizontal distance between the rear viewpoint and the monitoring section is in the range of 50–150 m, the horizontal distance between the total station and the monitoring section ranges from 40 m to 60 m, and the total station is near the tunnel centerline, the measurement accuracy can reach 1 mm.     

Investigation of response of metro tunnels due to adjacent large excavation and protective measures in soft soils

The inevitable influence of large excavation in soft soils on nearby tunnels is of great concern in practice. In this paper, the influence of a nearby large excavation on existing metro tunnels of the Ningbo Metro Line 1 in sensitive soft soils is investigated and presented. Considerable displacement in the left tunnel closer to the excavation induced by the nearby excavation was revealed by field monitoring. Visible cracks and leakages were observed in left tunnel linings. Three dimensional numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the responses of the ground and left tunnel due to the adjacent excavation. The development of bending moment and displacement of the left tunnel during different construction stages of the nearby excavation is obtained. Then the interaction mechanism between the nearby excavation, surrounding soils and existing twin tunnels is investigated, which is of significance to the interpretation of the influence of the nearby excavation on the existing twin tunnels. Several protective measures for alleviating the influence of adjacent excavation on left tunnel are studied, including divided excavation, soil improvement and a cut-off wall. It is found that the left tunnel is influenced to varying degrees during different construction stages and the time effect is distinct for this large excavation in soft soils, which would be suggestive to engineers to pay more attention to the protection of adjacent tunnel during the crucial construction stages. The bending moment and displacement of the left tunnel is strongly related to the unloading effects and displacement of surrounding soils, which can be alleviated by means of proper improvement of excavation sequence. Comparatively, longitudinally divided excavation is more effective in protecting the left tunnel than soil improvement or a cut-off wall. This study is of certain reference value for protecting metro tunnels adjacent excavation in soft soils.