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Tunnel excavation in granular media: the role of force chains

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Abstract

We investigate how force chains in a granular packing influence and change during a tunnel excavation process. A two-dimensional (2D) frictional cohensionless packing is considered under gravity and a set of contiguous particles are removed in the interior. Using discrete element simulations on realistic non-spherical soil grains, we investigate the role of force chains in the stability of the resulting tunnel. We illustrate that force disturbance due to excavation is transmitted over considerable distance by force chains. Such force chains behave as one-dimensional (1D) load carrying members, leading to nonlocal influences on tunnel stability as these chains rearrange around tunnels. Based on these observations, we posit the non-existence of a local stability prediction criterion that examines only the set of grains adjacent to the tunnel boundary. Finally, we study the mechanics of transition to the new equilibrium configuration by examining how the various components of force disturbance vary with distance from the tunnel. This work lays the framework for a systematic analysis of granular excavation process by examining how forces applied in the domain interior are transmitted into the granular media.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Army Research Office under grants W911NF-17-1-0212 and W911NF-19-1-0245.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Department, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA

    Raj Kumar Pal

  2. Mechanical and Civil Engineering Department, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA

    Robert Buraque de Macedo & José E Andrade

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  1. Raj Kumar Pal
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  2. Robert Buraque de Macedo
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  3. José E Andrade
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Correspondence to José E Andrade.

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Pal, R.K., de Macedo, R.B. & Andrade, J.E. Tunnel excavation in granular media: the role of force chains. Granular Matter 23, 76 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-021-01141-2

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