Abstract
The compression force is a critical indicator for assessing the waterproofing capability of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber gaskets, and the relaxation of EPDM gaskets under compression is a key factor contributing to water leakage in shield tunnels. In this study, detailed accelerated aging tests of gaskets with different precompression openings were conducted. Analytical method and simulation method for predicting the long-term performance of EPDM gaskets considering their different compression states were proposed. First, the compression curve of the gasket was divided into three stages to analyze the mechanism of compression force degradation in depth. Under the action of a compression force, the unrecoverable deformation caused by open holes shortened stage III of the compression curve, which constituted the primary factor influencing gasket compression force relaxation. In addition, the Arrhenius equation was used to establish a conversion relationship between the accelerated aging test conditions and actual service time, and an analytical expression (AE) method for predicting the compression force degradation pattern of gaskets was proposed. Finally, a finite element (FE) method based on the relaxation constitutive model was proposed, enabling simulation of deteriorating tunnel segment gasket performance under complex compression states. Then, the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed relaxation model were validated by comparing the compression force curves and deformation states obtained from experiments and simulations. Based on the time-varying relaxation constitutive parameters, the variation in the compression force of EPDM gaskets with different joint openings over time was simulated. The results show that the minimum compression force retention rates of gaskets after 100 years of service predicted by the AE method and FE method are 28.5 % and 30.6 %, respectively. This study provides two effective means for predicting the long-term mechanical performance of compressed EPDM gaskets, offering pivotal insights for long-term waterproofing design of shield tunnel joints.
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