Lining Induced Stresses for Mechanized Tunneling Along Curved Alignment

Abstract

In tunneling projects, determining the tunnel alignment is one of the early decisions in the planning process. The alignment is chosen according to feasibility studies of the project. Usually, a curvature of the alignment is inevitable, especially in urban tunneling when certain locations such as exit points, locations with sensitive surface structures and difficult ground conditions must be a priori considered. Mechanized tunneling presents an effective and widely used construction method, in particular, in soft ground conditions and in presence of ground water. A realistic simulation of mechanized tunneling process requires a reliable numerical model that accounts for the different construction stages and all relevant interactions; between the surrounding soil medium and the shield machine during the machine advancement and between the soil and tunnel linings via the grouting mortar.