Geomechanics and Engineering A
Volume 43, Number 3, 2025, pages 197-211
DOI: 10.12989/gae.2025.43.3.197
Pseudo-dynamic analysis of asymmetric collapse mechanism in shallow tunnels
Jiayun Liang, Jie Cui, Yadong Li, Yi Shan, Zhicheng Yang and Marco Donà
Abstract
In order to solve the collapse failure problem of overlying rock mass in shallow tunnels during earthquake, and to guide the design of tunnels safety width and the reinforcement of overlying rock mass, the prediction method of collapse failure curve under earthquake is studied. The main means is to simulate the seismic wave action on the overlying rock mass by the pseudo-dynamic method, establish the virtual power equation in the upper bound theorem based on the Hoek-Brown criterion, and solve it by the variational method of the variable endpoint problem. The effects of seismic wave parameters, rock mass strength parameters and engineering parameters on the predicted collapse area are analysed. The results show that the horizontal seismic acceleration affects the shape of the collapsing rock block, while the vertical seismic acceleration affects the size; the rock mass with weak strength and high density has a small size of collapsed rock block. By referring to the influence of engineering parameters, reducing the depth of the tunnel and uniform load on the surface and increasing the supporting pressure on the overlying rock mass can help to restrain the occurrence of collapse.
Key Words
asymmetric collapse mechanism; Hoek-Brown failure criterion; psudo-dynamic analysis; shallow tunnels; upper bound theorem; variational method
Address
Jiayun Liang: School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China;
Guangzhou Pearl River Construction Development CO. LTD., Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510075, China
Jie Cui,Yadong Li and Yi Shan: School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China;
Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Geo-Structure Safety and Protection, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
Zhicheng Yang: College of Urban and Rural Construction, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
Marco Donà: Guangzhou Pearl River Construction Development CO. LTD., Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510075, China;
Department of Geosciences, University of Padova, Via G. Gradenigo 6, 35131 Padua, Italy