Abstract
Shield tunneling requires special attention to maintain the stability of tunnel faces. Many researchers have used the upper bound method to investigate the active stability of tunnel faces. Previous research with regards to the upper bound method has neglected the construction of 3D active failure modes in soils in which internal friction angles vary with the burial depth. In this paper, a 3D active failure mode is constructed through “double discrete technology”, and the active limit support pressures of the tunnel face are compared using MATLAB and FLAC3D to verify that the method is effective. Based on the proposed method, the effects of nonhomogeneous and anisotropic soil on the active stability of tunnel faces are studied. Moreover, the presence of a weak interlayer and general three-layer soils were considered in a tunnel model, and the effect of weak interlayers and the parameters of each layer on the active stability of tunnel faces was investigated. The unit weight is the most significant factor affecting the active limit support pressures, followed by the internal friction angle, cohesion, and cohesion anisotropy coefficient. The critical failure shape is more influenced by the internal friction angle and less influenced by other parameters. The position, thickness, and parameter variation of each layer in the three soil layers have different effects on the critical failure shape and active limit support pressure. The method presented in this paper shows good applicability and flexibility in evaluating the active stability of tunnel faces in nonhomogeneous and anisotropic soils.
Similar content being viewed by others
Change history
04 May 2023
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-023-02460-2
References
Al-Karni AA, Al-Shamrani MA (2000) Study of the effect of soil anisotropy on slope stability using method of slices. Comput Geotech 26(2):83–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-352X(99)00046-4
Anagnostou G, Perazzelli P (2015) Analysis method and design charts for bolt reinforcement of the tunnel face in cohesive-frictional soils. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 47:162–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2014.10.007
Berthoz N, Branque D, Subrin D, Wong H, Humbert E (2012) Face failure in homogeneous and stratified soft ground: theoretical and experimental approaches on 1g EPBS reduced scale model. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 30:25–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2012.01.005
Casagrande A, Carillo N (1944) Shear failure of anisotropic materials. J Boston Soc Civ Eng 31(4):74–81
Chambon P, Corte JF (1994) Shallow tunnels in cohesionless soil-stability of tunnel face. Journal of Geotech Eng 120(7):1148–1165. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1994)120:7(1148)
Chen WF (1975) Limit analysis and soil plasticity. J. Ross publishing, Amsterdam
Chen RP, Tang LJ, Ling DS, Chen YM (2011) Face stability analysis of shallow shield tunnels in dry sandy ground using the discrete element method. Comput Geotech 38(2):187–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2010.11.003
Chen RP, Tang LJ, Yin XS, Chen YM, Bian XC (2015) An improved 3D wedge-prism model for the face stability analysis of the shield tunnel in cohesionless soils. Acta Geotech 10(5):683–692. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-014-0304-5
Chen GH, Zou JF, Min Q, Guo WJ, Zhang TZ (2019) Face stability analysis of a shallow square tunnel in non-homogeneous soils. Comput Geotech 114:103112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.103112
Chen GH, Zou JF, Liu SX (2021) Stability analysis of pressurized 3D tunnel face with tensile strength cutoff. Int J Geomech 21(11):04021226. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0002190
Davis EH, Booker JR (1973) The effect of increasing strength with depth on the bearing capacity of clays. Géotechnique 23(4):551–563. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1973.23.4.551
Di QG, Li PF, Zhang MJ, Wu J (2023) Influence of permeability anisotropy of seepage flow on the tunnel face stability. Undergr Space 8:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.undsp.2022.04.009
Hou CT, Zhong JH, Yang XL (2023) Three-dimensional stability assessments of a non-circular tunnel face reinforced by bolts under seepage flow conditions. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 131:104831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2022.104831
Huang MS, Li S, Yu J, Tan JQW (2018) Continuous field based upper bound analysis for three-dimensional tunnel face stability in undrained clay. Comput Geotech 94:207–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2017.09.014
Idinger G, Aklik P, Wu W, Borja RI (2011) Centrifuge model test on the face stability of shallow tunnel. Acta Geotech 6(2):105–117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-011-0139-2
Liu J, Zhang QS, Liu A, Chen GH (2022) Stability analysis of the horseshoe tunnel face in rock masses. Materials 15(12):4306. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15124306
Lee KM, Rowe RK (1989) Effects of undrained strength anisotropy on surface subsidences induced by the construction of shallow tunnels. Can Geotech J 26(2):279–291. https://doi.org/10.1139/t89-037
Li TZ, Yang XL (2020) New approach for face stability assessment of tunnels driven in nonuniform soils. Comput Geotech 121:103412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.103412
Li W, Zhang CP (2020) Face stability analysis for a shield tunnel in anisotropic sands. Int J Geomech 20(5):04020043. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001666
Li DQ, Qi XH, Phoon KK, Zhang LM, Zhou CB (2014) Effect of spatially variable shear strength parameters with linearly increasing mean trend on reliability of infinite slopes. Struct Saf 49:45–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2013.08.005
Li DQ, Qi XH, Cao ZJ, Tang XS, Zhou W, Phoon KK (2015) Reliability analysis of strip footing considering spatially variable undrained shear strength that linearly increases with depth. Soils Found 55(4):866–880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2015.06.017
Li PF, Zou HH, Wang F, **ong HC (2020a) An analytical mechanism of limit support pressure on cutting face for deep tunnels in the sand. Comput Geotech 119:103372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.103372
Li DJ, Zhao LH, Cheng X, Zuo S, Jiao KF (2020b) Upper-bound limit analysis of passive failure of a 3D shallow tunnel face under the bidirectional inclined ground surfaces. Comput Geotech 118:103310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.103310
Li W, Zhang CP, Tan ZB, Ma MS (2021a) Effect of the seepage flow on the face stability of a shield tunnel. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 112:103900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.103900
Li TZ, Gong WP, Yang XL (2021b) Stability analysis of a non-circular tunnel face in soils characterized bymodifed Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 109:103785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2020.103785
Li W, Zhang CP, Zhang DL, Ye ZJ, Tan ZB (2022) Face stability of shield tunnels considering a kinematically admissible velocity field of soil arching. J Rock Mech Geotech 14(2):505–526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.10.006
Liang Q, Yao C, Xu JS (2017) Upper bound stability analysis of shield tunnel face in nonhomogeneous and anisotropic soils. Indian Geotech J 47(3):338–348. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-017-0224-z
Lo KY (1965) Stability of slopes in anisotropic soils. J Soil Mech Found Div 91(4):85–106. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-11679-2012
Man JH, Huang HW, Ai ZY, Chen JY (2022a) Analytical model for tunnel face stability in longitudinally inclined layered rock masses with weak interlayer. Comput Geotech 143:104608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104608
Man JH, Zhou ML, Zhang DM, Huang HW, Chen JY (2022b) Face stability analysis of circular tunnels in layered rock masses using the upper bound theorem. J Rock Mech Geotech 14(6):1836–1848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.12.023
Mollon G, Dias D, Soubra AH (2009) Probabilistic analysis and design of circular tunnels against face stability. Int J Geomech 9(6):237–249. https://doi.org/10.1061/ASCE1532-364120099:6237
Mollon G, Dias D, Soubra AH (2010) Face stability analysis of circular tunnels driven by a pressurized shield. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 136(1):215–229. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000194
Mollon G, Dias D, Soubra AH (2011) Rotational failure mechanisms for the face stability analysis of tunnels driven by a pressurized shield. Int J Numer Anal Meth Geomech 35(12):1363–1388. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.962
Mollon G, Dias D, Soubra AH (2013a) Range of the safe retaining pressures of a pressurized tunnel face by a probabilistic approach. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 139(11):1954–1967. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000911
Mollon G, Dias D, Soubra AH (2013b) Continuous velocity fields for collapse and blowout of a pressurized tunnel face in purely cohesive soil. Int J Numer Anal Met 37(13):2061–2083. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.2121
Pan QJ, Dias D (2016) Face stability analysis for a shield-driven tunnel in anisotropic and nonhomogeneoussoils by the kinematical approach. Int J Geomech 16(3):04015076. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000569
Pan QJ, Dias D (2018) Three dimensional face stability of a tunnel in weak rock masses subjected to seepage forces. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 71:555–566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2017.11.003
Perazzelli P, Leone T, Anagnostou G (2014) Tunnel face stability under seepage flow conditions. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 43:459–469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2014.03.001
Su SF, Liao HJ (1999) Effect of strength anisotropy on undrained slope stability in clay. Géotechnique 49(2):215–230. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1999.49.2.215
Subrin D, Wong H (2002) Tunnel face stability in frictional material: a new 3D failure mechanism. CR Mec 330(7):513–519. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1631-0721(02)01491-2
Sun MH, Yan QX, Zhang JC, Wang EL, Yao CF, Wang XQ (2022a) A practical method for considering soil strain softening effect in the tunnel face stability analysis by numerical modeling. B Eng Geol Environ 81(11):486. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-022-02985-5
Sun H, Zhang DB, Yin HD, Hu AP (2022b) Stability analysis of shield inclined tunnel faces under the change effect of soil heterogeneity and pore water with buried depth. Geofluids 2022:1–16. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9610289
Takano D, Otani J, Nagatani H, Mukunoki T (2006) Application of X-ray CT on boundary value problems in geotechnical engineering research on tunnel face failure. GeoCongress 2006. American Society of Civil Engineers, Atlanta, pp 1–6
Tu SQ, Li W, Zhang CP, Chen W (2023) Effect of inclined layered soils on face stability in shield tunneling based on limit analysis. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 131:104773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2022.104773
Ukritchon B, Yingchaloenkitkhajorn K, Keawsawasvong S (2017) Three-dimensional undrained tunnel face stability in clay with a linearly increasing shear strength with depth. Comput Geotech 88:146–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2017.03.013
Wang WP, Deng RG, Liu HF (2023) Stability analysis of 3D tunnel face of shallow rectangular shield tunnel. Ksce J Civ Eng 27(3):1368–1382. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-023-1511-0
Wu WL, Liu XL, Guo JQ, Sun FY, Huang X, Zhu ZG (2021) Upper limit analysis of stability of the water-resistant rock mass of a Karst tunnel face considering the seepage force. B Eng Geol Environ 80(7):5813–5830. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02283-6
Zhang DB, Zhang B (2020) Stability analysis of the pressurized 3D tunnel face in anisotropic and nonhomogeneous soils. Int J Geomech 20(4):04020018. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001635
Zhang G, Zhu WS (1993) Parameter sensitivity analysis and optimizing for test programs. Rock Soil Mech 14(1):51–57. https://doi.org/10.16285/j.rsm.1993.01.006
Zhang CP, Han KH, Zhang DL (2015) Face stability analysis of shallow circular tunnels in cohesive-frictional soils. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 50:345–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2015.08.007
Zhang CP, Li W, Zhu WJ, Tan ZB (2020) Face stability analysis of a shallow horseshoe-shaped shield tunnel in clay with a linearly increasing shear strength with depth. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 97:103291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2020.103291
Zhao LH, Li DJ, Li L, Yang F, Cheng X, Luo W (2017) Three-dimensional stability analysisof a longitudinally inclined shallow tunnel face. Comput Geotech 87:32–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2017.01.015
Zhong JH, Yang XL (2020) Kinematic stability of tunnel face in non-uniform soils. Ksce J Civ Eng 24(2):670–681. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-020-0996-z
Zingg S, Anagnostou G (2016) An investigation into efficient drainage layouts for the stabilization of tunnel faces in homogeneous ground. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol 58:49–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2016.04.004
Zou JF, Chen GH, Qian ZH (2019) Tunnel face stability in cohesion-frictional soils considering the soil arching effect by improved failure models. Comput Geotech 106:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2018.10.014
Funding
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant number 51808458).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Thesis conception, program writing, and analysis were performed by WW, HL, RD, and YW. The first draft of the manuscript was written by WW and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
Data availability
The datasets generated or used during the study appear in the submitted article.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, W., Liu, H., Deng, R. et al. Active Stability Analysis of 3D Tunnel Face in Nonhomogeneous and Anisotropic Soils. Geotech Geol Eng 41, 3013–3033 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-023-02442-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-023-02442-4