Analysis of underground post-tensioned precast concrete box utility tunnel under normal fault displacement

Xiangguo Wu , Chenhang Nie , Faqiang Qiu , Xuesen Zhang , Li Hong , Jong-Sub Lee , Thomas H.-K. Kang

Abstract

For long underground box utility tunnels, post-tensioned precast concrete is often used. Between precast tunnel segments, sealed waterproof flexible joints are often specified. Fault displacement can lead to excessive deformation of the joints, which can lead to reduction in waterproofing due to diminished contact pressure between the sealant strip and the tunnel segment. This paper authenticates utilization of a finite element model for a prefabricated tunnel fault-crossing founded on ABAQUS software. In addition, material parameter selection, contact setting and boundary condition are reviewed. Analyzed under normal fault action are: the influence of fault displacement; buried depth; soil friction coefficient, and angle of crossing at the fault plane. In addition, distribution characteristics of the utility tunnel structure for vertical and longitudinal/horizontal relative displacement at segmented interface for the top and bottom slab are analyzed. It is found that the effect of increase in fault displacement on the splice joint deformation is significant, whereas the effects of changes in burial depth, pipe-soil friction coefficient and fault-crossing angle on the overall tunnel and joint deformations were not so significant.

Key Words

normal fault displacement; numerical analysis; post-tensioned precast concrete; prefabricated box utility tunnel; structural response

Address

Xiangguo Wu — College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China; Key Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control of the Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Smart Prevention and Mitigation of Civil Engineering Disasters of the Ministry of the Industry and Information Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
Chenhang Nie — School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
Faqiang Qiu — JianYan Test Group Co., Ltd., Xiamen 361004, China
Xuesen Zhang — CGN New Holdings Co., Ltd., Beijing 100070, China
Li Hong — School of Energy and Architecture Engineering, Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin, 150076, China
Jong-Sub Lee — Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea
Thomas H.-K. Kang — Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea; Engineering Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea

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