Mechanical properties of segment joints in subway shield tunnels by a full-scale test

Abstract

In this article, the mechanical properties of tunnel joints with curved bolts are studied and analyzed using the research methods of full-scale testing and finite element numerical simulation. First, the experiment results were analyzed to find out the development law of stress and strain of concrete in each part of the tunnel fragment when bearing. The damage process of the joint of the tunnel fragment was described in stages, and the characteristic load value that can reflect the initial bearing capacity in each stage was proposed. Afterward, using the ABAQUS three-dimensional (3D) finite element numerical modeling software, a numerical model corresponding to the experiment was established. The mid-span deflection was used to observe the change in loading and the destruction of each stage, comparing it to the proposed form to verify the reasonableness of the numerical model. Finally, the numerical models were used to analyze the change in material parameters and external loads from two aspects. It is concluded that the damage process of tunnel joints under curved bolt connection can be divided into concrete elasticity stage, inner arc cracking stage, overall joint damage stage, and ultimate joint damage stage, and the initial load of the adjacent stages is defined as the characteristic load value. After concrete cracking occurs, the bolts start to become the main load-bearing components, and the bolt stress grows rapidly in stage II. The strain development of the concrete on the outer arc is greater than the strain value of the concrete on the side due to mutual contact and extrusion. The parameters were changed for material properties, and it was found that increasing the concrete strength and bolt strength could improve the shield fragment joint bearing performance. The optimal effect of improving the mechanical properties of the shield fragment joint would be obtained when the concrete strength grade is C60, and the bolt strength grade is 8.8. Increasing the size of the axial force and bolt preload has the most obvious effect on the load-carrying capacity in the initial elastic phase. This can reduce the joint angle and thus improve joint stiffness. Meanwhile, increasing the axial force has a greater effect on the performance of the tunnel joint than the bolt preload.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

shield tunnel / failure mechanism / bearing capacity / segment joint

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