Ground – structure interaction analysis of aged tunnels

Author(s) B. Dadfar, H. Bidhendi, J. Susetyo, J. Abbatangelo, X. Zhou
Presented at the Tunnelling Association of Canada TAC 2023 – in Toronto from September 24-26. The theme of this year’s event, “Smart Solutions, Future Growth”, will be highlighted throughout the conference through keynote speakers, plenary presentations, technical sessions, networking, and a trade exhibition to showcase tunnelling and trenchless technology throughout Canada and around the world

Abstract

Finding structural demand under various loading conditions that a structure may experience during its service life is an important step towards structural life-cycle analysis. In this paper, structural demand for the precast concrete tunnel lining (PCTL) segments of Toronto’s 60-year-old subway tunnels is investigated. Numerical modelling was conducted using FLAC3D, a finite difference based software capable of simulating ground-structure interaction and ground material’s flow in three dimensions. The specific structural details of the segmental tunnel lining, such as the convex shape of the PCTL segments at radial joints and the PCTL segment pockets were considered in the numerical modelling. The model was developed with such versatility to accommodate simulation of various deterioration scenarios, shapes, and patterns that have been observed over more than 20 years. Effects of the depth of tunnels, the coefficient of lateral earth pressure as well as the patterns of deterioration of the segments were studied. The structural capacity under various deterioration patterns and the existing loading conditions were evaluated using axial-flexural interaction diagrams that were developed for each deterioration pattern. The results were used to provide recommendations for the next phase of tunnel lining rehabilitation program.

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