Influence of Small Radius Curve Shield Tunneling on Settlement of Ground Surface and Mechanical Properties of Surrounding Rock and Segment

Abstract

Compared with straight tunnels, over-excavation occurs on the inner side of the curved section during shield construction of small radius curved tunnels, and the disturbance to the ground surface and mechanical properties of surrounding rock and segment are more severe. This paper establishes the numerical models of small radius curve tunnels and straight tunnels to study the characteristics of surface deformation caused by the shield excavation of small radius curved tunnels and the influence of shield construction parameters on ground settlement, surrounding rock deformation, and segment force. The maximum error between the numerical simulation results and the measured surface settlement curve is 7.3%, which is in good agreement. The results show that: (1) The maximum value of the surface settlement of the small radius curve tunnel appears inside the curve section, and with the decrease in the curve radius, the surface settlement increases, and the distance between the peak settlement point and the tunnel center is larger. (2) When the curve radius of the tunnel is smaller, the lateral displacement of the ground surface moves farther to the inner side, and the range of soil mass with lateral displacement in the inner side is also wider. (3) Increasing the heading face pressure and grouting pressure can reduce surface settlement, but the heading face pressure should not exceed 350 kPa, and the grouting pressure should not exceed 250 kPa. (4) When the curve radius is smaller, the deformation of surrounding rock and the segment stress is larger.