Structural Stress Characteristics and Joint Deformation of Shield Tunnels Crossing Active Faults

Abstract

Fault dislocation severely threatens the safety of a tunnel structure. Formerly, researchers mainly engaged in the mechanical response of mountain tunnels crossing the fault fracture zone. In contrast, few studies have focused on the structural stress characteristics and joint deformation of the cross-fault shield tunnels. There is an apparent difference between segmental tunnels and mountain tunnels with respect to mechanical properties. In the current study, a three-dimensional numerical model of cross-fault segmental tunnels is established based on the theory of concrete plastic damage constitutive relations using the finite element program ABAQUS. The numerical calculation results are compared with the model test results for validation. Subsequently, the relevant factors affecting the mechanical response of the shield tunnel crossing the active fault are analyzed. The results illustrate that when normal fault dislocation occurs, the shield tunnel structure is initially damaged appearing in the circumferential joints, which is prone to large tension deformation. Otherwise, when reverse faulting occurs by the same displacement, the shield tunnel structure is initially damaged at the arch haunch of the segments, and the deformation of the longitudinal joints is relatively slight. Under the same fault displacement, the bearing capacity of the segmental lining subjected to the reverse fault dislocation is more significant than that of the normal fault dislocation. Both the soil elastic modulus and the vertical distance between the top of the fault and the tunnel exert a considerable impact on the structural damage of the segmental tunnels, bolt stress, and joint deformation. The fault dip angle does not affect the mechanical characteristics of the shield tunnel structure when subjected to normal fault displacement. In reverse faulting cases, with the increase of the fault dip angle, the tunnel structural failure mode transforms from the transverse compression failure of the segments to the shear failure of the circumferential joints.