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Application of different stochastic numerical procedures in rock tunnel lining design

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Abstract

This paper aims to utilize different stochastic numerical procedures for designing a rock tunnel lining, namely, strength classification (SCM) and random field (RFM) methods. The procedures are implemented in a finite difference scheme, while a stochastic process based on the Monte Carlo simulation technique is followed for rock mass characterization, considering its property variability. Moreover, a performance function is defined to investigate the lining serviceability based on the interactions between bending moment, thrust, and shear forces. The effects of coefficient of variation and correlation length on the results are also investigated. Finally, the probabilistic analysis results are compared with the deterministic ones and the in situ measurements. The results show that the effect of the coefficient of variation on the spatial variability is more significant than the effect of the correlation length. It can also be observed that the SCM models calculate lower support requirements than the RFMs when \(CoV\) is smaller than 30%. Moreover, the cross-correlated models lead to lower PoF, which can be related to the assumed negative cross-correlation between \(c\) and \(\varphi\).

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The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their grateful appreciation to Geodata Engineering SpA and Tehran-Shomal Freeway Company for providing the required data during the study.

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  1. Faculty of Mining, Petroleum and Geophysics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran

    Masoud Mazraehli & Shokrollah Zare

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  1. Masoud Mazraehli
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  2. Shokrollah Zare
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Mazraehli, M., Zare, S. Application of different stochastic numerical procedures in rock tunnel lining design. Arab J Geosci 15, 1490 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10710-5

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