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Effects of Large-Scale Unloading on Existing Shield Tunnels in Sandy Gravel Strata

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Abstract

The influence of large-scale unloading of soil on existing metro tunnels is a difficult problem in the operation of Metro in sandy gravel strata. In order to predict and control the tunnel deformation and ensure the safety and normal operation of the metro, three-dimensional numerical models are proposed in this study. These models based on the line 5 of Chengdu subway engineering and the adjacent unloading projects analyze the deformation of existing metro tunnels under large-scale unloading of soil. The results show that the maximum bulge after unloading excavation of foundation pit is 11.1 mm, which is lower than the limit value of foundation pit uplift proved by relevant studies; the maximum deformation value of left tunnel is 9.56 mm, and that of right tunnel is 8.33 mm, which is less than the proposed 10 mm deformation control standard. In addition, the paper analyses the restraining effect of different reinforcement measures on soil deformation, such as advanced tubal curtains and horizontal beams, anti-floating anchor cables. The results show that the deformation of soil under different reinforcement measures is greater than the specified limits, while the comprehensive reinforcement measures can restrain the deformation of soil well. The numerical simulation results in this paper verify the effective reinforcement of comprehensive reinforcement measures for large-scale unloading in sandy gravel strata, which can provide reference experience for large-scale unloading excavation construction in similar sandy gravel strata.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support by the National Key R&D problem of China (No.2018YFC0808706), the Project on Social Development of Shaanxi Provincial Science (No.2018SF-378) and the top young talents of "special support program" in Shaanxi Province, Shaanxi Group Tong Zi [2018] No. 33.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Highway, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710064, China

    Ke Wang, Miao Miao & Hui Zhou

  2. China Railway First Survey and Design, Institute Group Ltd., Xi’an, 710043, China

    Ke Wang

  3. Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 710048, China

    Ke Wang

  4. GuangLianda Technology Co. Ltd, Xi’an, 710018, China

    Miao Miao

  5. CCCC Highway Consultants CO., Ltd., Beijing, 100088, China

    Hui Zhou

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  1. Ke Wang
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  2. Miao Miao
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Correspondence to Ke Wang.

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Wang, K., Miao, M. & Zhou, H. Effects of Large-Scale Unloading on Existing Shield Tunnels in Sandy Gravel Strata. Geotech Geol Eng 39, 3401–3416 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-021-01700-7

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