Damage evolution of tunnel lining under creep action considering interlayer effect in gently inclined layered surrounding rock

Abstract

The anisotropy and creep characteristics of layered sandstone mudstone with different structural inclinations have a significant impact on the safety of tunnel construction and operation. we conducted research of the layered sand-mudstone of the Yunding Tunnel on the Dazhou-Chengdu line, based on the mechanical response mechanism of layered surrounding rock and employing a numerical coupling analysis method, established a creep damage mechanical model of layered rock to study the progressive failure characteristics of layered rock and the failure mechanism of tunnel lining. The results indicate that:(1) The response mechanism of layered rock mechanics based on the delamination effect can well reflect the progressive fracture of the layered rock and distinguish the failure mode of layered rock; (2) The established layered rock mechanics contact model can effectively characterize the anisotropic macroscopic mechanical properties of layered sand-mudstone in biaxial test and triaxial creep test; (3) The fracture characteristics of the layered surrounding rock matrix change significantly with the change of the dip angle of the structural plane, the cracks mainly appear in the direction perpendicular to the structural plane. And it can be determined that the critical angle of sliding failure of layered sand mudstone is α1 = 28.77°, α2 = 65.47° (4) The damage evolution of lining can be divided into four states: 1. elastic state 2. injury working state 3. ultimate bearing state 4. damage state. With the increase of the dip angle of the structural plane, the time for the lining to enter the ultimate bearing state is gradually delayed, and the delayed rate shows the characteristics of ’slower-faster-slower’. This research achievement can provide a certain foundation for the analysis of the failure mode and the failure mechanism of tunnel lining.