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Optimization of Tunnel Profile in Different Ground Conditions Using Genetic

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Conference Paper · April 2013

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EURO:TUN 2013
rd
3 International Conference on Computational Methods in Tunnelling and Subsurface
Engineering
Ruhr University Bochum, 17-19April 2013

Optimization of Tunnel Profile in Different Ground

Conditions Using Genetic Algorithms
M. A. Eid1and M. ZakiAbdElrehim 2
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Minia University, Egypt.
2
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Minia University, Egypt.

Abstract

The design of a tunnel profile depends mainly on serviceability requirements, ground

conditions and construction aspects. The optimal tunnel profile is the one that satisfies
all the requirements and conditions with the minimum construction cost. Few
researches dealt with the tunnel profile optimization problem. Some of these
researches made comparison between certain profiles to pick the best one. Other
researches dealt with the profile as a predefined decision and searched for its optimal
components (i.e. width, height. curves radii and centres positions). In this research, a
genetic algorithm based computer program is used to search for the optimal tunnel
profile. A finite element numerical model is employed to represent the ground soil
and tunnel profiles. The nodes coordinates for the excavation area outer profile are
considered as the design variables in the optimization process. Thus, the program
searches in infinite number of profile shapes for the optimal one that satisfies
serviceability and stress requirements in different ground conditions. The program
produces a quasi-optimal safe profile in reasonable running time. The results do not
depend on expectation or experience.
Keywords: Tunnel profile, optimization, genetic algorithms, soil-structure interaction

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 M. A. Eid and M.ZakiAbdelrehim

1 INTRODUCTION

Although tunnel profile design is a critical job, it still depends mainly on designer’s
experience. Few trials were performed to make a calculations based expectation for a
better profile shape [1], [7]. Other researches went further to automate this process
using modern evolutionary algorithms optimization techniques [4]. These researches
could not discard the experience based expectation for the profile shape. Thus, they
presented an optimization process for certain profiles by getting its optimal
parameters (i.e. curves radii and centres positions).
The evolutionary algorithms optimization techniques such as Genetic Algorithms
have been developed in the early 1970’s and they have a lot of applications
since1980’s [3]. However few applications, due to the analysis difficulties, were
devoted to the geotechnical problems.
In 2010, a Genetic Algorithm was coupled with Finite Elements Analysis to present a
new tool that can deal with geotechnical problems. It has been used to find the
optimal grouting quantity and quality to strength soil before tunnelling in order to
have the minimum surface settlement during construction [2]. In this paper, this tool
is used to search for the optimal tunnel profile. This stochastic search does not depend
on design experience or expectation.

2 TUNNEL PROFILE OPTIMIZATION PROBLEM

The optimization problem addressed herein is to find out the optimal nodes
coordinates to form the optimal profile which has the minimum excavation area and
minimum moment in lining. Excavation area expresses the tunnelling cost.Both
bending moment and normal force are responsible for lining stress but bending
moment is affected largely with profile shape and curvature. Good profiles are
expected to induce less moment values. The resulted profile should satisfy the
allowable deformation and stress requirements. The objective function here is the
excavation area A and moment in shotcrete lining M which is expressed in Eq. (1).
Minimize F=C1.A+C2.M (1)
Where, C1 and C2 are combination factors. These factors reduce the gap between area
and moment values to have balanced impact on the optimization process. For
example, the excavation area and maximum bending moment in a preliminary
circular section are 70 m2, and 40 KN.m respectively. To make balance, area is
reduced by 65% (C1=0.35) and moment is reduced by 35% (C2=0.65).

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 Optimization of Tunnel Profile Using Genetic Algorithms

2.1 The Design Variables

The design variables, as shown in Figure 1, are the nodes radian coordinates. Sixteen
nodes on the preliminary circular profile are considered as design variables. Each
node has a certain moving domain with different 32 possible positions and different
distances from the centre. The positions of these nodes form the tunnel profile.
Number of nodes, 16, is selected to produce a clear and smooth profile shape.
Increasing number of nodes may give smoother profile shape but it will increase the
computation time and enlarge search space.

Figure 1: The design variables

2.2 The Constraints

There are three constraints considered in the current optimization problem:
1) The resulted profile should have the minimum dimensions to satisfy the
traffic requirements, as shown in Figure 1.
2) The stress in shotcrete lining should not exceed the lining material
strength in. This can be expressed as following:

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 M. A. Eid and M.ZakiAbdelrehim

gi = si - sall ≤ 0 , i = 1, 2, ……, n (2)

3) The surface settlement should not exceed the specified limit which can be
expressed as following:

gi = Δi - Δall ≤ 0 , i = 1, 2, ……, n (3)

3 STRUCTURAL MODELLING

In this paper, conventional numerical model with plane-strain analysis is used [5].
Figure 2 shows the finite element mesh used for simulation, the applied boundary
condition and soil parameters.

Figure 2: Finite elements mesh and geotechnical parameters

3.1 Geotechnical Parameters

The tunnel is constructed in a stiff clayey layer at a depth of 14 m with no existence of
ground water in the tunnelling vicinity.

3.2 Finite Elements Simulation

For the modelling process in the Finite Element program, FINAL package [6], the
soil media is modelled using a six node linearly varying strain triangular finite

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 Optimization of Tunnel Profile Using Genetic Algorithms

elements (L.S.T) and the shotcrete lining by a six node curved boundary beam
elements (Beam6). A half-section symmetrical mesh is used in the analysis to reduce
computation time. Sufficient mesh depth and width, to model soil infinite body, are
used. For boundary condition, vertical and horizontal movements are prevented at the
bottom of the model while only the horizontal movements are prevented at both sides.
The excavation process is simulated in two steps using stiffness reduction method. In
the first step, the stiffness of the soil is reduced by a factor accompanied with stress
redistribution at the tunnel zone. In the second step, the excavated part is removed and
the temporary lining is installed in its fresh state accompanied with a stress
elimination of the excavated soil.

4 COMPUTATION PROCEDURE

The developed steady-state genetic algorithm starts with generating randomly an

initial population of ten individuals (group of profiles). Each individual is sent to the
FINAL package to check the stress in lining and surface settlement and compare them
with the allowable values. Unsafe solutions are replaced with new ones which are
also randomly generated. Safe solutions are encoded to binary form to facilitate the
application of mating operators. Genetic algorithm’s mating operators are crossover
and mutation. Each two solutions are mated together to produce two children
solutions. Like their parents, produced solutions have to be checked. Unsafe solutions
are replaced and safe solutions pass. All safe parents and children solution are
collected in one pool and sorted in an ascending order. The last ten solutions are
discarded and the first ten solutions form the parents’ population for the next
generation.

4.1 Progression
Processing optimization operators and repeating them through generated population
leads to convergence toward global optimum. Difficulty of having optimal or quasi
optimal solution increases as convergence rate increases. Looking for the very close
better chromosome through random mutation is a time consuming process. In this
case, changing mutation to local searching technique is more preferable. The
algorithm changes its mutation technique at the final 100 generations of every 1000
generations to avoid having local minima. Figure 3 shows the target function’s value
progression through 1000 generation. Progression is fast in the starting generations
and getting slower later.

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 M. A. Eid and M.ZakiAbdelrehim

49
Target Function's Value

47
45
43
41
39
37
35
0 200 400 600 800 1000

Generation Number
Figure 3: Target function’s value progression

4.2 Resulted Profile

Figure 4 shows the resulted mesh after 1000 generations which consume 5 days
running time on a computer with Core2 Duo processor, 2.0 GHz speed and 2GB
RAM. Regarding the large searching space (3216 possible profile shape = 1.2 E24
solution), reaching the optimal solution may need thousands of generations which
will also be good when compared to the number of alternatives. To save time, the
resulted nodes are interpolated to give the designer an approximate image for the
optimal profile.

Figure 4: The resulted profile after interpolation

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 Optimization of Tunnel Profile Using Genetic Algorithms

In order to check the algorithm, two other profiles are produced from the interpolated
profile by modifying its dimensions slightly in vertical and horizontal directions as
shown in Figure 5. Profile (1) shows a small reduction in moment and normal
comparing with the increase in cross sectional area. Profile (2) has a smaller area with
a significant increase in moment and normal values. In both cases, the interpolated
profile has a smaller target function’s value. Thus, the algorithm most likely works
well and moves forward toward the global optima.

Figure 5: Compared profiles

5 CONCLUSIONS

The developed algorithm can find a quasi-optimal profile with safe lining stress and
surface settlement. Optimal solution can be reached with nowadays high speed
powerful computers. In the algorithm, local search mutation can improve the target
function’s value progression and can help to find a better solution. The resulted
profile does not depend on expectation or designer experience. This optimization tool
can be adapted to work on different soil types and different tunnel depths.

REFERENCES

[1] Abdelrehim M. Z. and Marwan A. M., Design Optimization of Urban

NATM Tunnelling, 13th International Conference on Structural and
Geotechnical Engineering (IGSGE), Cairo, (2009).

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 M. A. Eid and M.ZakiAbdelrehim

[2] Eid M. A., Abdelrehim M. Z., Elkashef F. A. and Swoboda G., Optimization
of Ground Improvement Techniques in Tunnelling Using Genetic
Algorithms, 5th European Conference on Computation Mechanics (ECCM
2010), Paris, France, May 2010.
[3] Goldberg D. E., Genetic Algorithms in Search – Optimization and Machine
Learning, Addison Wesley Pub., 1989.
[4] Reed M. B., Schenk S. and Swoboda G., A Genetic Algorithm for Tunnel
Design Optimization, Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference
(GECCO), USA, (2005).
[5] Swoboda G., Finite Element Analysis of the New Austrian Tunnelling
Method NATM, Proc 3rd International Conference on Numerical Methods in
Geomechanics ,Aachen, Germany, 1979, (W. Wittke ed.), Balkema,
Rotterdam, 1979, P.581-586.
[6] Swoboda G., Programmsytem FINAL, Finite Element Analysis Linearer and
NichtlinearerStukturen, Version 7.1, DruckUniversitate Innsbruck, Asutria,
2001.
[7] Yonghao D., Weizhong C., Quansheng L. and Xiaoming Y., Optimization
Study on Cross Section of Deep Mine Tunnel Under High in Situ Stress,
Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, (2004-S2).

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