Rock–liner interaction mechanism involving a nonuniform deformation pattern in shallow shield tunnels

Abstract

A numerical plane-strain model is established on the basis of the nonuniform deformation pattern proposed by Loganathan and Poulos. A 2D analysis method of the rock– liner interaction is proposed for the shallow shield tunnel. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified by comparing the surface settlement curve obtained through the analytical method and field measurement. Variations in rock deformation and rock stress are investigated using the proposed method in terms of the influence of gap parameter, deformation modulus, unit weight of the rock, and diameter and depth of the shield tunnel. Results indicate that the liner stress is significant for a shield tunnel with a large diameter, and the buoyancy effect is evident, indicating that the liner is apt to the failures for the shield tunnel with a large diameter. The unit weight significantly affects the liner and rock stress, the effect of the depth of the shield is less, and the effect of the deformation modulus is the smallest.