An advanced method to predict umbrella arch behaviour in soft ground tunnelling
An advanced method to predict umbrella arch behaviour in soft ground tunnelling
When tunnelling in soft ground, umbrella arch is often being used to improve the conditions around tunnel face. The paper describes an advanced method to predict the umbrella arch behaviour based on the displacement measurements. An established empirical method initially proposed by Barlow is used as the foundation. The displacement functions for sections ahead of the face and for the supported part of the tunnel are retained while in the unsupported area and unexcavated area close to the face the functions are modified by introducing a set of analytical equations. For the arch element the elastic beam theory is adopted in combination with the theory of the beam on elastic foundation (Winkler soil model). The proposed method is kept relatively simple by adopting analytical solution for semi-infinite beam in front of the tunnel face. The analytical solution is compared to the results of 3D numerical analysis. Despite the simplification in the approach the analytical solution gives very similar results both in terms of beam displacement and bending moment.
Sebastjan Kuder; Jure Klopcic; Bostjan Pulko; Janko Logar
18th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ECSMGE2024)
A - New developments on structural design
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