Characteristics of Dynamic Safety Factors during the Construction Process for a Tunnel-Group Metro Station

Abstract

Dynamic safety factors during the construction of an overlapping tunnel-group metro station were studied in the framework of the strength-reduction finite element method. Based on the equivalent plastic strain and displacement of surrounding rock, its damage mode under typical excavation conditions was investigated. The aim of this investigation was to provide information for the design activities concerning the supporting system of the station and the pre-reinforcement of its surrounding ground. The accuracy of the model was assessed by comparing the ground settlements obtained from on-site monitoring with those from the numerical model. The analysis results show that the safety factor reaches the minimum when the No. 3 guide hole of the station hall is excavated. Thus, this is the most dangerous construction step. During this step, the plastic zone penetration phenomenon occurs in the surrounding rock, which is sandwiched between the hall and the platform of the station. In this case, both the deformation of the surrounding rock and the internal forces of the lining increase. The surrounding rock in the sidewall loses its stability. Thereafter, the primary support plays a role of stabilizing the guide hole.