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Seismic ground amplification induced by box-shaped tunnels

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Abstract

The growing use of underground structures, specifically to facilitate urban transportation, highlights the need to scrutinize the effects of such spaces on the seismic ground response as well as the surrounding buildings. In this regard, the seismic ground amplification variations in the vicinity of single and twin box-shaped tunnels subjected to SV waves have been investigated by the finite difference method. To evaluate the effects, generalizable dimensionless diagrams based on the results of parametric numerical analysis considering factors such as variations in the tunnels’ depth, the distances between the tunnels, tunnel lining flexibility, and input wave frequency, have been presented. In addition, to assess the effects of underground box-shaped tunnels on the response spectrum of the ground surface, seven selected accelerograms have been matched based on a specific design spectrum for the stiff soil condition of Eurocode 8 (CEN, 2006). The results underline the significant amplification effect of the box-shaped tunnels on the ground motions, specifically in the case of horizontal twin tunnels, which should be given more attention in current seismic design practices for surface structures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Damoon Feizi & Jafar Asgari Marnani

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, 45156-58145, Iran

    Hamid Alielahi & Mehdi Panji

Authors
  1. Damoon Feizi
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  2. Jafar Asgari Marnani
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  3. Hamid Alielahi
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  4. Mehdi Panji
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Correspondence to Hamid Alielahi.

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Feizi, D., Asgari Marnani, J., Alielahi, H. et al. Seismic ground amplification induced by box-shaped tunnels. Earthq. Eng. Eng. Vib. 21, 697–714 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11803-022-2119-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11803-022-2119-y

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