Tunnel Series

Introduction

What are the main tunnel excavation methods?

• Open Cut and Cover Method
Cut and cover is the cheapest way to build a subway, but it has a
number of shortcomings.
It's very disruptive to local traffic, it requires that the subway to be
close to surface (<12m).

• Sequential Excavation Method (NATM)

Tunnel face excavated in stages. Support element installed in
between excavations stages. Uses shotcrete and interlocking frames.
Slower than TBM for long tunnels but more economical.

• TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine)

Excavation done by special machine that digs tube-like passage.
Machine digs and installs support automatically.
Good for long tunnels but very capital intensive.

Tunnel projects usually have a combination on methods

Introduction

What are a Tunnel's Design Considerations

• Tunnel type / shape

• Construction sequence / Excavation methods
• Water level / hydraulic conditions
• Support system / ground improvements
• Ground status (soft soil, rock quality)
• Earth pressure coefficient (Ko)
• Adjacent services and structures
• etc.. (uncertainties)

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Introduction

How do engineers design the tunnels?

• Hand Calculations

• Structural software (1D)

- Based on loads only
- Lining Shape and thickness

• Geotech software (2D & 3D)

- Fully considers ground material
- Excavation pattern and method
Introduction

What have to decide What have to check using FE Analysis

Member force of lining (Allowable

Load (SW, Load Relaxation, Water pressure, Soil stress)
Pressure, Temperature load(gradient) (the most critical ones considering
Load Combination)
Structural Engineer
Boundary (Soil Spring)
Lining shape and thickness
Rebar arrangement, quantity for RC lining

Ground deformation considering

Excavation pattern (one way, both way, construction sequence
excavation length) (Allowable settlement, horizontal
displacement)
Geotechnical
Engineer Excavation method (ASSM, NATM, NMT, TBM,
Factor of safety (Plastic (potential
Shield)
failure area) status)
--> Supposed to be decided before analysis
Rockbolt pattern (Spacing (horizontal,
Axial force of rockbolt
longitudinal), zig-zag or uniform, length)
Objectives

1. Learn how to design tunnel shape and lining thickness from load demands.
(2D Structural Method).

2. Learn how to determine and verify excavation patterns and rock bolt
distribution from ground deformation, plasticity and axial forces on bolts.
(2D Geotech Approach).

3. Learn how to determine and verify excavation pattern based on ground

displacements, status and safety factors. (3D Geotech Approach).

4. You will set up and analyze parallel excavations of twin tunnels in 3D by

yourself in <30 min.
Work flow for FEM analysis

Automatic generation of shared

surfaces function

[Import or automatically generate 3D

layers through actual field data]
Modeling Analysis section
자동 요소망 생성

Check shared surfaces

Check results
Define analysis conditions and Hybrid Mesh generation
run the high performance analysis
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Modeling Soil as 1D Springs
1D & 3D tunnels with soil springs

Structural analysis gives importance to the uncertainty of load, acting on the structure. Hence, it
conducts the member design for the largest member force obtained by combining various results
systematically.

Determine Lining shape and thickness

1D Tunnel Lining

Open 2D Start File or

Input materials
 Run Analysis

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5:

Draw Mesh Apply Apply Review
Geometry Lining Load Boundary Results
Conditions

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1D Tunnel Lining

Decide Tunnel Shape Step 1:

Draw Geometry

R1=(5.5 m) A1 = (60 deg)

R2 = (5.5 m) A2 = (55 deg)
1D Tunnel Lining

Step 2:
Mesh Lining
1D Tunnel Lining

Step 3:
Apply Load

Select nodes in order as shown

Apply load in Global Y
w1 = -136.65 kN/m
w2 = -60 kN/m
1D Tunnel Lining

Step 4:
Apply Boundary Conditions

• CREATE > OTHER > Surface Spring

• Select nodes on the base as
shown
• Elastic Spring
• GCS-Y
• Modulus of subgrade reaction:
2,500 kN/m
1D Tunnel Lining

Step 5:
Run Analysis
1D Tunnel Lining

Review Results:

Displacements

Axial Forces

Moments
Key points 1D

Tunnels in Structural Approach

• Design of lining thickness and support elements based on load combinations and
iterations.
• Comparison of 3 thickness to decide lowest demand on lining vs displacements.