Seismic behaviors of utility tunnel-soil system: With and without joint connections

Abstract

Seismic responses of utility tunnel-soil system were studied via shaking table model tests with considerations of two kinds of double box utility tunnels: with and without joint connections. These two testing utility tunnel models were made of galvanized iron wire and micro-concrete, and the ground was simulated by the dry standard sand through layered tamping treatment. The utility tunnel-soil system was subjected to horizontal vibration in uniaxial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of tunnel model. Via instrumentations of earth pressure gauges, accelerometers and strain gauges, the earth pressure response, acceleration response and bending moment response were measured. The testing results show that the joint connections in the utility tunnel along the longitudinal direction play an important role in determining the characteristic of earth pressure response and bending moment response, whereas the effect of joint connections on acceleration response is less significant. In addition, the partition wall exhibits the consistent acceleration response with the side-wall of double box utility tunnel model under seismic condition. Based on the testing results, it is suggested that the joint connection should be taken reasonably into consideration during design and construction for engineering practice.