Dynamic Performance of Soil–Tunnel System under Transverse Sinusoidal Excitations

Abstract

Input of sinusoidal excitation with specified frequency is an optimal way to capture the mechanism of soil-tunnel interaction. Focusing on the relationship between the frequency of input sinusoidal motions and the dynamic response of a system, this study carried out a series of shaking table tests on both a free-field model and soil–tunnel model in the background of the tunnel in soft ground. To detect the detailed deformation of segmental linings, a refined lining ring of the model tunnel was developed, and the stiffness ratio between the soil and tunnel was verified. Seven sinusoidal excitations were designated to cover the fundamental frequency of the model ground, with the input of transverse direction. Effects of frequency of sinusoidal excitations on soil-tunnel interaction can be evaluated by the detailed responses of segmental linings, such as cross-sectional deformations, extension/closure of longitudinal joints, dynamic normal earth pressures, and dynamic strains of segments. Results shows that the differences of the acceleration responses, on the respects of waveform, phase, and peak, between the upper soil layer and the lower soil layer are obviously increasing with the input frequency increasing. The presence of the tunnel induces a relatively high effect on acceleration responses of the ground within excitation frequency varying from 9 to 17 Hz. The maximum responses of the tunnel are highly influenced by both the fundamental frequency of the model ground and lower frequency of excitations.