Tunneling in Various Shapes Using Numerical Analysis

Abstract

Tunnelling has gained popularity in the recent times due to lack of space and the rapidly increasing population. Thus, going underground is the only option to provide the infrastructure facilities which will meet the need of increasing population. The shape and dimensions of the tunnel cross section usually depends on certain parameters like purpose for which the tunnel is provided, drainage & maintenance requirements, requirement of escape route, etc. Geology plays an important role in deciding the shape of the tunnel. The ground behaves in a complex manner, when a tunnel is excavated in it as new stresses are developed. Based on the ground types, the shape is selected in such a way that the stresses developed in the ground should distribute properly around the tunnel periphery and should not cause convergence of the tunnel boundary. Also, requirement of support system should not be too heavy, as it will increase the cost. Apart from the above parameters, the availability of the equipment & the construction method also decides the shape of the tunnel. There are various shapes of tunnels like D-shape, Circular, Elliptical, Egg-shape, Box type, Horseshoe & Modified Horseshoe shape. In the present course of work three shapes of tunnels viz. Horseshoe Shape, Modified Horseshoe Shape & D-Shape tunnels are considered. By hypothetical assumption the geology and overburden are taken into account for the tunnels and the tunnels are simulated for roof collapse and shear failure case by using RS2 FEM based software.