Three-dimensional finite difference analysis of shallow sprayed concrete tunnels crossing a reverse fault or a normal fault: A parametric study

Abstract

Urban tunnels crossing faults are always at the risk of severe damages. In this paper, the effects of a reverse and a normal fault movement on a transversely crossing shallow shotcreted tunnel are investigated by 3D finite difference analysis. After verifying the accuracy of the numerical simulation predictions with the centrifuge physical model results, a parametric study is then conducted. That is, the effects of various parameters such as the sprayed concrete thickness, the geo-mechanical properties of soil, the tunnel depth, and the fault plane dip angle are studied on the displacements of the ground surface and the tunnel structure, and on the plastic strains of the soil mass around tunnel. The results of each case of reverse and normal faulting are independently discussed and then compared with each other. It is obtained that deeper tunnels show greater displacements for both types of faulting.