The behaviour of the segmental tunnel lining studied by the hyperstatic reaction method

Abstract

One of the most important factors in the design of a segmental tunnel lining is the influence of the segmental joints on its overall behaviour. In this study, a reduction factor has been applied to the bending rigidity of the segmental tunnel lining. An improved numerical hyperstatic reaction method (HRM) is presented in this paper in order to study the behaviour of the segmental tunnel lining. The necessary parameters for the calculation are presented. A specific implementation has been developed using a finite element method framework. A comparison between the results obtained using the HRM and those of a numerical model has been made that allows the HRM to be validated. Extensive parametric analyses have been conducted to estimate the segmental tunnel lining behaviour for several cases, in order to cover the conditions that are generally encountered in excavation practice.