Analysis and prediction of mechanical characteristics of corrugated plate as primary support in tunnels

Abstract

Traditional primary support made of reinforced concrete is widely applied but can bring many problems. Therefore, to study the mechanical behavior of corrugated-plate structure as primary support, several finite-element simulations in different sizes, shapes and elements were carried out. Besides, to ensure the exactness and practicability, a verification experiment and a BP neural network for prediction were done. The result shows that the outcome of beam-element and shell-element model is similar and the main deformation and stress is respectively down and compressive. And the difference between horseshoe-shaped and circular tunnel is small in aspect of vertical displacement and stress. Then, when t (thickness) increases, d (maximum vertical deformation) and s (maximum stress) decrease more and more slowly. When w (width) ascends, d and s improve more and more slowly. When h (height) becomes bigger, d declines more and more slowly and s goes down slowly, fast and slowly again. The outcome of the experiment conforms with the simulation. Next, by BP neural network, using top load and t, w, h to predict d and s is feasible and efficient. It performs better when predicting d. This paper can provide reference for the application of corrugated-steel-plate structure as new-type primary support.