Bamboo Winding Composite Utility Tunnels: a case study on mechanical behavior with WSN monitoring and numerical simulation

Abstract

Bamboo Winding Composite Pipes (BWCPs) have many advantages such as good mechanical properties, low cost, low carbon, environmental friendliness, thermal insulation and easy installation et al. At present, BWCP is widely used in urban water supply, drainage, communication cable protection, farmland irrigation etc. It is obvious that the Bamboo Winding Composite materials have good application prospects in the field of utility tunnels. However, considering that the size of utility tunnels is much larger than that of normal pipelines, the wide application of Bamboo Composite Utility Tunnels (BCUTs) is still a challenge. In this paper, the force performance of BCUT in Datong Shanxi Province, was studied using two methods: real time monitoring and numerical simulation. Wireless sensor networks were used for monitoring, and the real time monitoring data of horizontal convergence and strains under the condition of backfill were obtained. The monitoring data indicated that the horizontal convergence can meet the requirement of relevant technical standards. A three-dimensional numerical model of the utility tunnel was established using FEM software. The influence of soil parameters on the deformation and strain of the BCUT was studied using the numerical method. The simulation results were compared with real-time monitoring data. The soil parameters K0 and ksh have significant effects on the deformation, stress and strain of the utility tunnel. This kind of utility tunnel is recommended to use in areas with relatively good geological conditions.