Shield Tunnel Segment Research Articles

Performance optimisation of alkali-activated slag ultra-low carbon concrete (AAS-ULCC) for shield tunnel segments by steel fibres

Performance optimisation of alkali-activated slag ultra-low carbon concrete (AAS-ULCC) for shield tunnel segments by steel fibres

Mechanical‐performance deterioration of RC segment of shield tunnel under high corrosion degree and the transformation of eccentric‐failure mode

AbstractReinforcement corrosion in shield tunnel segments has an important impact on the structure's bearing capacity and failure mode. Generally, a shield tunnel structure is under small eccentric compression, but if the reinforcement corrosion develops sufficiently, then a transition occurs from small to large eccentric load state, thereby lowering the structural bearing capacity and endangering the safety of tunnel operation. In the study reported here, based on the compressive bending load characteristics of the shield lining structure, corrosion test columns with small eccentric loading were designed to simulate the actual force state of the tunnel lining, and the whole evolution process of their mid‐span strain, ultimate bearing capacity, and cracks under different corrosion degrees was analyzed. With increasing corrosion, the bearing capacity, concrete strain, and depth of the compressive zone of a test column decrease more and more rapidly, and at the maximum corrosion degree of 68.32%, the maximum reduction of bearing capacity is 53.23%. The tests show that the failure mode of a test column with high corrosion degree (≥46.25%) is transformed from small to large eccentric failure. Based on theoretical analysis of the normal section bearing capacity of reinforced concrete flexural members, a theoretical method is proposed for calculating the critical corrosion degree for the tunnel lining structure to transform from small to large eccentric failure. The theoretical calculation method is verified against finite‐element calculations, and the present research results offer theoretical support for the durability design and safety evaluation of shield tunnel lining structures.

Effects of foundation pit excavation on adjacent metro stations and shield tunnel structures: a study on horizontal displacement

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the horizontal displacement effects of foundation pit excavation on adjacent metro stations and shield tunnel composite structures. It seeks to develop a theoretical calculation method capable of accurately assessing these engineering impacts, aiming to provide practical assistance for engineering applications.Design/methodology/approachThis study introduces a model for shield tunnel segments incorporating rotation and misalignment, considering the constraints of metro stations. It establishes a displacement model for tunnel-station combinations during foundation pit excavation, deriving a formula for calculating station-proximal tunnel horizontal displacements. The method's accuracy is validated against field data from three engineering cases. The research also explores variations in tunnel displacement, inter-ring shear force, misalignment and rotation angle under different spatial relationships between pits, tunnels and stations.FindingsThis study models uneven deformation between stations and tunnels due to bending stiffness and shear constraints. It enhances the misalignment model with station-induced shear effects and introduces coefficients for their mutual interaction. Results show varied responses based on pit-station-tunnel positioning: minimal displacement near pit edges (coefficients around 0.1) and significant effects near pit centers (coefficients from 0.4 to 0.5). “Whip effect” from station constraints affects tunnel displacement, shear force, misalignment and rotation, with fluctuations decreasing with distance from excavation areas.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates significant originality and value. It introduces a novel displacement model for tunnel-station combinations considering station constraints, addressing theoretical calculations of horizontal displacement effects from foundation pit excavation on metro stations and shield tunnel structures. Through validation with field data and parameter studies, the concept of influence coefficients is proposed, offering insights into variations in structural responses under different spatial relationships. This research provides crucial technical support and decision-making guidance for optimizing designs and facilitating practical construction in similar engineering projects.

Disaster mechanism of large-diameter shield tunnel segments under multi-source load coupling: A case study

The deflection squeezing of the shield shell and the eccentric jack thrust significantly impact the segment dislocation and damage. Based on summarizing the derivative relationship between engineering factors and disasters, this study established a 3D numerical calculation model under the multi-source load coupling. Then, this study explored the displacement and dislocation distribution of segments, as well as their derivative relationship with bolt failure. Furthermore, this study analyzed the spatial distribution and evolution characteristics of segment damage. Further revealing the disaster mechanism and proposing the engineering treatment measures. The research results indicate that as the deflection angle increases, the vertical relative compression deformation of the segment that is detaching from the shield tail (segment-DFST) becomes more significant. The plastic strain of the internal bolts inside the two segments in direct contact with the shield shell is mainly related to the radial and longitudinal dislocation. The increase in the deflection angle will lead to a more significant increase in the adjacent dislocation on both sides and the internal dislocation. The plastic strain of the internal bolts of the segment that is completely in the shield shell (segment-CSS) is more influenced by joint opening and longitudinal dislocation under the lower eccentric compression (LEC) state. The plastic strain of the internal bolts in segment-DFST is more influenced by radial dislocation and joint opening under the LEC state. The tension damage of the segments mainly occurs on both sides of the circumferential joint and the lower part of the segment-CSS. The compression damage of the segments is mainly distributed at the top and bottom of the segment-CSS. The eccentric distribution of jack thrust has the most significant impact on the block damage of the lower part of the segment-CSS. With the increase of the deflection angle, the compression damage and distribution range of the blocks at the bottom of the segment-DFST increase sharply. The compression damage and distribution range of the segment-CSS gradually spread from the upper and lower parts to the middle of the segment. The increase in deflection angle will promote the influence of the thrust in LEC state on the compression damage of the lower block of the segment-CSS, and on the tension damage of the upper block of the segment- DFST.

Full-scale loading test for shield tunnel segments: Load-bearing performance and failure patterns of lining structures

To explore the load-bearing performance and the failure patterns of the lining structures, a full-scale loading test on the three-ring staggered assembled shield tunnel segments is carried out through a hydraulic loading system. In the experimental study, the segments’ internal force, convergence deformation, and displacement, and the bolts’ internal force, are analyzed. According to the experimental results, the relationship between internal force and deformation is obtained to determine the residual bearing capacity of the shield tunnel at each stage. Three stages are specified for the evolution of the segment’s maximum bending moment during the loading process, in which, the elastic stage is the main and longest stage, in which the bending moment of the segment increases the most. There are two stages for convergence deformation development and segment misalignment development. At the end of loading, the segment’s maximum positive and negative convergence values reach 61.22 and −57.69 mm, respectively. Besides, the maximum segment misalignment is 3.67 mm, which occurs in the direction of 90°. The segment cracks when its maximum convergence value reaches 25.03 mm. Moreover, there are signs of fracturing on the waist joint of the segment when its maximum convergence value reaches 32.73 mm. The concrete at the waist joint starts fracturing in pieces when the segment’s maximum convergence value reaches 38.93 mm, which is defined as the type of shear failure. Finally, the bearing capacity of shield tunnels during segment failure period can be evaluated by using the corresponding relationship between deformation and internal force.

Study on Stress Characteristics Response of Submarine Shield Segment Under Ultra-high Water Pressure

In the construction and operation stage of shield tunnel, mastering and clarifying the mechanical characteristics of the overall structure is essential for ensuring shield tunnel safety. In this paper, the shell-spring model is established by ABAQUS finite element software for the ultra-high water pressure submarine shield tunnel. The mechanical behavior of shield segment structure under varying water pressure, different key block position and different strata is studied and analyzed. The results show that at the same segment assembly position, the axial force of the segment increases greatly with the increase of water pressure, and the growth rate is as high as 150 %. The internal force of the segment is mainly axial force. Under the ultra-high water pressure, the corresponding position of the maximum deformation of the segment is related to the position of the segment joint at the arch bottom. In the staggered assembly, the axial force fluctuation near the arch bottom is larger than that of the straight assembly, and the peak bending moment and the maximum axial force are near the invert. In addition, near the 120 degree of the vault, the bending moment oscillates obviously near the joint in the stratum with small coefficient of soil reaction. The larger the coefficient of soil reaction is, the more uniform the axial force of the whole segment is. The research results provide a theoretical insights for the optimization design of shield tunnel segments.

Study on crack law of shield segment under load variation based on XFEM

PurposeThe occurrence of segment cracks caused by load changes in shield tunnels would affect the safety of the tunnel structure. To this end, a three-dimensional fine shield tunnel segment model based on the extended finite element method (XFEM) is established.Design/methodology/approachThe cracking law of shield segment cracks is studied in two forms: overloading and unloading. The relationship between crack length, width and depth and transverse convergence and deformation is analyzed.FindingsThe results show that the cracks in shield tunnels mainly occur on the outer side of the arch waist and the inner side of the crown and bottom. Under overloading and unloading conditions, the length, width and depth of cracks increase non-linearly as the transverse convergence deformation increases. Under the same convergent deformation, the deeper the buried depth, the smaller the crack length, width and depth. Meanwhile, under overloading conditions, the influence of buried depth on the width and depth of cracks is more significant. In terms of crack width and depth, unloading conditions are more dangerous than overloading conditions.Originality/valueThe findings have a guiding effect for the management of cracks in shield tunnels during operation.

Full-scale test on the mechanical behavior of longitudinal joints of NC-UHPC composite segments under compression-bending load

The performance of longitudinal joints in shield tunnel segments is crucial for ensuring structural stability and durability. This study presents an innovative segment structure combining normal concrete (NC) and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) (hereafter called NC-UHPC composite segment). Full-scale joint tests were conducted to analyze the mechanical response and failure characteristics of longitudinal joints in these segments. Compared to reinforced concrete (RC) segment joints, NC-UHPC composite segment joints exhibited a significant increase in initial cracking load by 197.93% under sagging moments and 435.3% under hogging moments. The ultimate load-bearing capacity increased by 55.71% and 67.10%, and the initial bending stiffness improved by 20.57% and 10.59% under sagging and hogging moments, respectively. Furthermore, NC-UHPC composite segment joints exhibited smaller crack distribution areas and fewer cracks, indicating superior crack resistance. No cracks or damage were observed at the NC-UHPC interface. Evaluation of joint toughness and ductility indices further highlighted the favorable performance of NC-UHPC composite segment joints. Finally, a refined numerical model was established to compare the deflection and bending stiffness of RC segment joints with NC-UHPC composite segment joints under varying axial forces. The findings suggest that NC-UHPC composite segments are more suitable for tunnel engineering with greater burial depth, higher water pressure, and larger axial forces.

Case studies of the load-bearing performance of shield tunnel segment with misaligned defects

The segment misalignment is a common defect in the segment installation of a shield tunnel construction, due to the complexity and uncertainty of its construction conditions. This raises a concerning about the safety of the segment lining for the shield tunnel. In this paper, the integrated numerical models with surrounding rock, peastone grouting and segment lining were built using three-dimensional finite element method, by introducing two kinds of misaligned defects of segments. One was the misalignment that elongated the horizontal axis of the transversal ring section of segment lining, another was the misalignment between adjacent rings of segments. To eliminate the impact of boundary on numerical results, seven rings of segments are built for the three-dimensional finite element models, and the middle ring is dealt with for the results analysis under V-class surrounding rock, including the circumferential stress of outer and inner layers of the segment, the contact stress on joint surface between segments, and the stress of locating pins between adjacent rings. Results indicate that the two kinds of misaligned defects create pronounced impact on tensile stress of segment at the bottom and the crown segments, respectively, which produces a greater tensile stress to increase cracking risk even abrupt fracture of segment. However, the misaligned defects have a slight impact on the contact stress and the locating pins stress. Therefore, attention should be paid to the cracking of bottom or crown segments in the segment lining of shield tunnel.

Identification of Shield Tunnel Segment Joint Opening Based on Annular Seam Pressure Monitoring.

Tunnels for subways and railways are a vital part of urban transportation systems, where shield tunneling using assembled segmental linings is the predominant construction approach. With increasing operation time and varying geological conditions, shield tunnels usually develop defects that compromise both structural integrity and operational safety. One common issue is the separation of segment joints that may cause water/mud penetration and corrosion. Existing inspection strategies can only detect openings after their occurrence, which cannot provide early warnings for predictive maintenance. To address this issue, this work proposes a multi-point seam contact pressure monitoring method for joint opening identification. It first derived the theoretical correlation between contact pressure distribution and segment opening; then, a finite element model was established to explore the stress and deformation responses under combined axial and bending loads. Finally, multi-point piezoelectric film sensors were implemented on a scaled segment model to validate the theoretical and numerical analyses. Results indicate that the multi-point monitoring method can effectively identify opening amounts at the segment joints with an average error of 8.8%, confirming the method's feasibility. These findings support the use of this monitoring technique for early detection and assessment of joint openings in shield tunnels.

Experimental and simulation studies on the waterproofing performance of anchored sealing gasket for shield tunnel lining

Anchored sealing gasket can be prefabricated together with prefabricated segment in the prefabrication factory, which can significantly improve the on-site construction convenience and waterproofing performance of shield tunnel segments. This paper proposed a novel anchored sealing gasket with a closed bottom and a symmetric pair of anchored feet on both sides, and the mechanical properties, waterproofing performance, and leakage mechanism of the gasket was investigated by experimental and numerical simulation methods. Test results show that for traditional sealing gasket, leakage occurs at the contact surface between the sealing gasket and the segment, while for anchored sealing gasket, leakage occurs only at the contact surface between the sealing gaskets, which indicates that the anchored sealing gasket feet can effectively prevent leakage between the sealing gasket and the shield segment. Compared with the traditional sealing gasket, the waterproofing ability of the anchored sealing gasket under the same working conditions is increased by 114%. The dynamic simulation of the waterproofing behavior of the anchored sealing gasket, considering the effect of water pressure, was carried out based on the flow-solid coupling model established by the Coupled Euler-Lagrangian (CEL) method. It was found that the waterproofing behavior of the anchored sealing gasket can be divided into four stages: the segment compression stage, the water compression stage, the water wedge stage, and the water breakthrough stage. The water resistance ability between the anchored sealing gasket and the segment is much higher than between the sealing gaskets. The anchor feet can prevent leakage at the interface between the gasket and the segment effectively. In addition, it was found that the test value of the waterproofing capacity of the anchored sealing gasket was close to the peak value of the maximum contact stress between the sealing gaskets during the water wedging stage, and this peak value can be used as a prediction method for the waterproofing capacity of the anchored sealing gasket to investigate the effect of joint deformation on waterproofing capacity. Finally, based on the experimental and simulation results, the waterproofing mechanism of the anchored sealing gasket was revealed, providing a reference for the waterproofing design of anchored sealing gaskets for prefabricated underground structures joints in the future.

Simplified nonlinear model and 3D printing model experiment verification of longitudinal joints of shield tunnel segments

The segment joints represent vulnerable and core-bearing areas within shield tunnel structures. Their flexural stiffness, starting from the contact surface of longitudinal joints to the bolt hole, exhibits continuous changes under bending loads, typically demonstrating nonlinear mechanical characteristics. This study investigates the influence of joint contact surfaces on flexural stiffness, extending from the joint contact surface to damaged concrete in the compressed zone. A new simplified model for the variable nonlinear stiffness of longitudinal segment joints in shield tunnels is proposed, considering the flexural stiffness of the joint contact surface and the width of the damaged concrete zone in the segment ring while simulating the flexural stiffness decay induced by the opening of segment joints. Based on the minimum potential energy principle, a design calculation method for joint flexural stiffness is derived, establishing the nonlinear bending stiffness coupling relationship between the segment and the joint. Through similarity theory, 3D printing technology, and indoor loading tests, the theoretical model's accuracy regarding tunnel segment joints is verified. This theoretical model provides a basis for designing and assessing the performance of tunnel-segment joints.

Experimental Research on the Floating Amount of Shield Tunnel Based on the Innovative Cumulative Floating Amount Calculation Method

The study of shield tunnel segment flotation is crucial for controlling the precision of underground excavation projects. Based on Winkler’s beam foundation theory, the load structure method, and the equivalent continuous beam model, and by considering the mechanical and spatial conditions that cause segment flotation, a novel theoretical calculation method for cumulative flotation is proposed using a simplified equivalent stiffness model of the tunnel. Additionally, a new concept of “equivalent flotation force” is introduced. The rationality and applicability of this theoretical calculation method are verified by comparing it with on-site construction data from the Yuanjiang River Crossing Tunnel Project in Changde, Hunan Province, China. The experimental results demonstrate that the theoretical calculation closely approximates the surface deformation monitoring data of the tunnel alignment in the eastern section of the project, and their deformation patterns are similar. Near the starting shaft, there is significant settlement influenced by stratum loss due to smaller tunnel flotation, with greater settlement occurring in the upper part. However, at approximately 45 m into both sections, they enter a deformation stability zone showing significant correlation in longitudinal deformation. Through comparison and verification of on-site experiments and theoretical model analysis, we preliminarily elucidate the feasibility of this innovative cumulative flotation theoretical calculation method which provides an important theoretical basis for assessing segment flotation issues in subsequent tunnel shield construction evaluations.

Test Research on Residual Mechanical Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Segments after High Temperature.

In order to research the residual mechanical properties of concrete shield tunnel segments after exposure to high temperatures, two types of concrete segments were designed: a self-compacting concrete segment and a mixed fiber (steel fiber and polypropylene fiber) self-compacting concrete segment. The mechanical properties of seven blocks of concrete segments (five segments after high-temperature exposure and two segments at room temperature) were tested to analyze the influence of different loading sizes and fibers on the development of cracks after high temperature, failure mode, crack width, deformation, and so on in the concrete segments. The results showed that the damage model of the segment after exposure to high temperature and the segment at room temperature were crushed in the pressurized zone, but the high temperature had little effect on the concrete in the pressurized area. The size of the preload at high temperatures had little effect on the remaining load capacity, and the effect on the number of cracks was mainly concentrated on the internal arc surface of the segment. After high-temperature exposure, the number of cracks on the sides and inner arc surface of the segment increased, and the development of cracks was concentrated as several major cracks at high temperatures. When fibers were incorporated, the cracks in the segment became obvious, where the cracks at the loading point became denser and the interval distance became smaller.

Shield Tunnel (Segment) Uplift Prediction and Control Based on Interpretable Machine Learning

Shield tunnel segment uplift is a common phenomenon in construction. Excessive and unstable uplift will affect tunnel quality and safety seriously, shorten the tunnel life, and is not conducive to the sustainable management of the tunnel’s entire life cycle. However, segment uplift is affected by many factors, and it is challenging to predict the uplift amount and determine its cause accurately. Existing research mainly focuses on analyzing uplift factors and the uplift trend features for specific projects, which is difficult to apply to actual projects directly. This paper sorts out the influencing factors of segment uplift and designs a spatial-temporal data fusion mechanism for prediction. On this basis, we extract the key influencing factors of segment uplift, construct a prediction model of segment uplift amount based on Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) v2.0.3, and use SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) v0.44.0 to locate factors affecting uplift, forming an Auxiliary Decision-making System for Segment Uplift Control (ADS-SUC). An ADS-SUC not only detects the sudden change of the segment uplift successfully and predicts the segment uplift in practical engineering accurately, it also provides a feasible method to control the uplift in time, which is of great significance for reducing the construction risk of the tunnel project and ensuring the quality of the completed tunnel.

Full-scale experimental and structural characterization study of shield tunnel reinforcement under ground stacking loads

To investigate the internal force response characteristics and reinforcement effects of the shield tunnel segment structure in the presence of ground load disturbances in the Hangzhou Metro, full-scale tests were conducted on three-ring misaligned assembled segments using a self-developed "Shield Tunnel Segment Hydraulic Loading System." The study examined the structural characteristics of tunnel segments under the influence of different ground resistance coefficients (λ) and eccentric loads (P), and explored the reinforcement effects of the internal tension ring method from multiple perspectives. The research results indicate that under different ground resistance coefficients (λ), the sensitivity of internal force response is concentrated in the waist concrete, with a maximum bending moment reduction of 88.8%. The effective rate of bending stiffness tends to flatten, joint bending moment transfer effects strengthen, and the bearing capacity of the segments significantly increases after reinforcement, leading to a more uniform overall structural response. Under different eccentric loads (P), the bending moment of the segments after reinforcement approximates central symmetry with a reduced distribution range. The rate of change of the effective bending stiffness (η) shifts from "rapid" to "slow," and the variation of joint bending moment transfer coefficient (ζ) stabilizes. The reinforcement with steel rings significantly enhances the overall stiffness of the segments and reinforces the joint bending moment transfer effect. The reinforcement effect of the segments can be evaluated through the bending moment transfer coefficient and effective bending stiffness. After reinforcement, the bearing capacity of the segments is noticeably enhanced, and significant forces are observed at two locations in the right waist joint, where the combination of steel plates and segments exhibits optimal performance.

Effect of local openings on bearing behavior and failure mechanism of shield tunnel segments

Local failures (loss of concrete or reinforcement) can severely compromise the bearing capacity of shield segments, damaging the tunnel structures. To investigate the effects of local openings on the bearing behavior and failure mechanism, four full-scale bending tests were conducted on specimens with different opening positions and diameters; monitoring of load, displacement, and concrete strain was performed during loading. The test results reveal that both the opening position and diameter significantly influence the bearing characteristics of the segment. The failure process includes four sequential stages distinguished by three critical loads, namely the cracking, failure, and ultimate loads. Subsequently, the numerical model of the local failure segment was established using the elastoplastic damage constitutive relation of the concrete and verified by inversing the full-scale test results. Based on the numerical model, parametric analyses were performed to comprehensively investigate the influences of the opening position, concrete loss, and reinforcement loss on the bending capacity. Furthermore, an analytical model was proposed, indicating that the opening position is the primary factor decreasing the bearing capacity, followed by the opening diameter and reinforcement loss. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the safety assessment and remedial design of subway shield tunnels under extreme breakthrough conditions.

Mechanical Performance of Concrete Segment Lining Structure of Shield Tunneling in Different Strata

There are many problems in the development of urban space in China. Among them, urban tunnels generally pass through many sections with very complicated geological conditions, and the construction will encounter great difficulties, so the mechanical behavior of shield segments in different complex strata is worth discussing. In this paper, the axial force, bending moment and pore water pressure of shield tunnel segments in the soft and hard uneven stratum, clay stratum and fully weathered granite stratum of overlying buildings are studied by establishing a rectangular element mechanical model based on the field test method. The analysis shows that the mechanical properties of shield tunnels in different strata are quite different, but their mechanical properties change stages are the same. The earth pressure on the left and right sides of the test ring is asymmetric in the soft and hard uneven stratum, and the vault pressure is much greater than the vault bottom pressure. The distribution of earth pressure in each position of the segment ring in clay stratum is relatively balanced, and the earth pressure on both sides is relatively small; in the fully weathered granite layer of the overlying building, the segment ring of the test ring is subjected to greater additional stress, and the internal force of the segment is much greater than that without the overlying building. Exploring the similarities and differences of segment stress in these three complex strata can provide an important basis for the design and construction of shield segments in complex strata.

Research on Lateral Deformation Control Criteria of Metro Shield Tunnels with Excessive Ellipticity

In recent years, excessive lateral deformation of subway shield tunnels has been observed due to adjacent engineering activities. This study examines the monitoring of excessive lateral deformation of the shield tunnel and the special steel plate reinforcement process to enhance the safety and stability of the operating subway tunnel structure. It uses a three-dimensional refined finite-element model of the shield tunnel for parametric structural loading simulation analysis to propose a structural deformation limit value suitable for the subway shield tunnel. This study’s findings indicated the following: (1) as observed from the engineering examples, a tunnel with significant elliptical deformation increases the likelihood of cracking and other structural issues in the adjacent subway shield tunnel segment; (2) as observed from the post-reinforcement monitoring data, the steel plate reinforcement method effectively enhances the load-bearing stability of the damaged tunnel structure; (3) based on the finite-element simulation results and the comprehensive review of practical conditions, the standard warning value for lateral deformation, using ellipticity evaluation of the subway shield tunnel, is established at 20‰, with a control value of 25‰. The outcomes of this research offer valuable insights into the operation, maintenance, and health monitoring of subway shield tunnels.

Pressure waves and their influence on fatigue damage of shield tunnel segment structure

In this study, a three-dimensional numerical model was used to analyze the transient pressure on a segment structure and the CFD caused to it under pneumatic loading action. The results of two trains meeting in the tunnel show that the tunnel cross-sectional area, train speed, and tunnel location significantly influence the peak pressure wave generated on the segment structure. After the trains completely exit the shield tunnel, the peak values of the aerodynamic load may still be higher than that of the aerodynamic pressure wave caused by the trains running in the tunnel, and may last for approximately 10 cycles. Based on the characteristics of the pressure peak values, the mathematical relationship between the attenuation rate of the peak-to-peak pressure values and the number of periods was fitted; the CFD equation was modified, and the rationality was verified. The CFD of the segment structure was approximately proportional to the square of the number of aerodynamic load periods. Thus, the maximum CFD calculated for 100 years is 0.107 × 10−2. This indicates that fatigue damage does not occur in the segment structure under an aerodynamic load.