Seismic Stability of Tunnels in Multiple Silty Soils: Plastic Deformation

Abstract

The escalating demand for efficient transportation infrastructure necessitates the construction of numerous tunnels, particularly in densely populated areas. However, their response to dynamic loads, like earthquakes, remains a critical concern. This study utilizes numerical modeling to assess the dynamic behavior of tunnels embedded in various silty soil types under seismic excitation. Employing Abaqus software and the finite element method, tunnels were modeled within three distinct silty soils: silty stone, silty sand, and low plasticity silty clay. Ground motion data from the 1994 Northridge earthquake was used as input to evaluate tunnel displacements. The results demonstrated significant variations in tunnel behavior based on the surrounding soil. Notably, low plasticity silty clay exhibited the largest displacements, followed by silty sand and silty stone. This emphasizes the crucial influence of soil properties on tunnel stability during seismic events. Future investigations could expand upon this work by incorporating additional soil parameters and utilizing more intricate soil models to yield even more precise predictions of tunnel response under dynamic loading conditions.