Experimental Investigation of Load-Bearing Mechanism of Underwater Mined-Tunnel Lining

Abstract

A series of model tests were performed to investigate the load-bearing mechanism of a mined railway tunnel lining under water pressure. To investigate the load-bearing characteristics of different types of linings, a fully closed water pressure exerting device for a noncircular section tunnel was invented. A large-scale model test (1:30) under combined water and soil pressures was conducted to investigate the mechanical characteristics, deformation, stress distribution, crack development process, and failure mode of the underwater mined-tunnel lining. The test results indicated that for the high-speed railway tunnel of Class IV surrounding rock with a design speed of 350 km/h, both the drainage lining and the waterproof lining were controlled by a small eccentric compression under the two test conditions. One had only water pressure, and the other had a variable water pressure and constant soil pressure. The key sections for controlling instability were the bottom of the wall and the inverted arch. The ultimate water head of the drainage lining was 49 m, and the ultimate water head of the waterproof lining was 78 m. In comparison with the drainage lining, the waterproof lining could significantly improve the water-pressure resistance. Thus, design loads of 30 and 60 m are recommended for the drainage and waterproof lining structures, respectively.

Instability and Failure of Subsea Structures

“…To investigate the load-bearing mechanism of underwater mined-tunnel linings, some model tests were performed, employing an equivalent water loading device and a surrounding rock-pressure complex loading device [12]. The progressive failure characteristics for the waterproof and drainage types of lining structures were observed and analyzed, indicating that the waterproof lining has a higher water-pressure resistance than the drainage lining.…”