Open Access

ARTICLE

Contact between a Tunnel Lining and a Damage-Susceptible Viscoplastic Medium

Frederic L. Pellet¹

1 University of Grenoble, Laboratory 3S-R, Grenoble, France

Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences 2009, 52(3), 279-296. https://doi.org/10.3970/cmes.2009.052.279

Abstract

In this study, the contact and interaction between a tunnel lining support and a damage-susceptible viscoplastic medium is investigated. First, back-analysis of the time-dependent behaviour of a drift excavated across a carboniferous rock mass which exhibited large delayed displacements was undertaken. Drift closure was simulated using an elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model that included the strength degradation process. This 3D numerical simulation was performed taking into account both stage construction sequence and rate of excavation advancement. A comparison of the numerical results with the data measured on site allowed for the calibration of the model parameters. Subsequently, the installation of a concrete lining was simulated to account for contact with the rock mass. This blind numerical simulation aimed to optimize the tunnel cross-section and establish the dimensions of a suitable concrete supporting lining. Three months after installation, the stresses measured in the concrete lining were in agreement with the numerically predicted stresses.

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Keywords

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