Dynamic numerical analysis of the effect of tunneling-induced vibration on combined heat and power plant structures under operation

The power plant is a major infrastructure composed of essential machinery such as Turbine Generators (TG), Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG), etc. Particularly, Combined Heat & Power Plants (CHP) are highly efficient power plants that simultaneously produce heat and electricity. Recently, cases have emerged where railway tunnels are being constructed beneath such power plants due to the underground development of urban rail transportation. Therefore, there is a pressing need to assess the impact of vibrations induced by blasting excavation during the construction of railway tunnels beneath the power plant, as well as the vibrations during railway operation, on the major machinery foundations and structures within the power plant. In this study, criteria for evaluating the vibration impact on key vibration-sensitive structures are summarized, and evaluation standards based on international criteria are established. Based on this, the study examines the vibration impact during the blasting excavation method of NATM tunnels beneath the operational power plant. Furthermore, subsequent railway operation, specifically focusing on the impact of train vibrations on Turbine foundations, Pump foundations, and District Heating pipelines using 3D dynamic numerical analysis. The results indicate that vibration values corresponding to up to 97.3% of the evaluation criteria are derived based on the numerical analysis. However, considering the significance of power plantrelated structures, additional measures to reduce vibrations are proposed, including further test blasting, alteration of blasting patterns, reducing the charge per delay, or decreasing advance.