Blast-resistant Analysis for a Tunnel Passing Beneath Taipei Shongsan Airport–a Parametric Study

Abstract

This paper covers the blast-resistant analysis for a tunnel passing beneath Taipei Shongsan airport. It briefly discusses the overall analysis process to obtain the maximum lining thrust caused by a bomb explosion for use in the structural lining design. Because there have not been any established common standards or practices governing the design of such a structure, a series of parametric studies have been carried out in order to evaluate the significance and sensitivity of several parameters on the lining thrust. The parameters evaluated are: intensity of blast loading, size of crater, dynamic undrained shear strength, dynamic Young’s modulus, and soil-damping ratio. It was concluded that a designer should adopt dynamic soil parameters, obtained from good ground investigation and soil testing, as favorable dynamic soil properties can result in a more economical analysis. For parameters (e.g. bomb type) that are beyond the control of the designer, an additional protective layer over the tunnel structure may be considered in order to minimize the impact of the explosion, instead of designing a more costly rigid structure.