Experimental study on the mechanical response and failure behavior of double-arch tunnels with cavities behind the liner

Abstract

Cavities often develop behind the vault during the construction of double-arch tunnels, generally in the form of various defects. The study evaluates the impact of cavities behind the vault on the mechanical and failure behaviors of double-arch tunnels. Cavities of the same sizes are introduced at the vault and the shoulder close to the central wall of double-arch tunnels. Physical model tests are performed to investigate the liner stress variation, the earth pressure distribution and the process of progressive failure. Results reveal that the presence of cavities behind the liner causes the re-distribution of the earth pressure and induces stress concentration near the boundaries of cavities, which results in the bending moments in the liner inside the cavity to reverse sign from compression to tension. The liner near the invert becomes the weak region and stress concentration points are created in the outer fiber of the liner at the bottom of the sidewall and central wall. It is suggested that grouting into the foundation soils and backfilling injection should be carried out to ensure the tunnel safety. Changes in the location of cavities significantly impact the failure pattern of the liner close to the vault, e.g., cracks appear in the outer fiber of the liner inside the cavity when a cavity is located at the shoulder close to the central wall, which is different from the case that the cavity locates at the vault, whereas changes in the location of cavities have a little influence on the liner at the bottom of the double-arch tunnels.