This paper presents a novel approach for simulating the localized leakage behavior of segmentally lined tunnels based on a cohesive zone model. The proposed approach not only simulates localized leakage at the lining segment, but also captures the hydromechanically coupled seepage behavior at the segmental joints. It is first verified via a tunnel drainage experiment, which reveals its merits over the existing local hydraulic conductivity method. Subsequently, a parametric study is conducted to investigate the effects of the aperture size, stratum permeability, and spatial distribution of drainage holes on the leakage behavior, stratum seepage field, and leakage-induced mechanical response of the tunnel lining. The proposed approach yields more accurate results than the classical local hydraulic conductivity method. Moreover, it is both computationally efficient and stable. Localized leakage leads to reduced local ground pressure, which further induces outward deformation near the leakage point and slight inward deformation at its diametrically opposite side. A localized stress arch spanning across the leakage point is observed, which manifests as the rotation of the principal stresses in the adjacent area. The seepage field depends on both the number and location of the leakage zones. Pseudostatic seepage zones, in which the seepage rate is significantly lower than that of the adjacent area, appear when multiple seepage zones are considered. Finally, the importance of employing the hydromechanical coupled mechanism at the segment joints is highlighted by cases of shallowly buried tunnels subjected to surface loading and pressure tunnels while considering internal water pressure.
Owing to long-distance advancement or obstacles, shield tunneling machines are typically shut down for maintenance. Engineering safety during maintenance outages is determined by the stability of the tunnel face. Pressure maintenance openings are typically used under complicated hydrogeological conditions. The tunnel face is supported by a medium at the bottom of the excavation chamber and compressed air at the top. Owing to the high risk of face failure, the necessity of support pressure when cutterhead support is implemented and a method for determining the value of compressed air pressure using different support ratios must to be determined. In this study, a non-fully chamber supported rotational failure model considering cutterhead support is developed based on the upper-bound theorem of limit analysis. Numerical simulation is conducted to verify the accuracy of the proposed model. The results indicate that appropriately increasing the specific gravity of the supporting medium can reduce the risk of collapse. The required compressed air pressure increases significantly as the support ratio decreases. Disregarding the supporting effect of the cutterhead will result in a tunnel face with underestimated stability. To satisfy the requirement of chamber openings at atmospheric pressure, the stratum reinforcement strength and range at the shield end are provided based on different cutterhead aperture ratios.
The disc cutters of shield machines exhibit unsatisfactory adaptability and performance during the soft–hard varied strata tunneling process. To analyze the rotation state, cutting performance, and adaptability of disc cutters during shield tunneling in soft–hard varied strata, the Holmquist Johnson Cook and Federal Highway Administration constitutive models are introduced to numerically simulate the failure process of materials on the excavation face and to calculate the load of disc cutters. Additionally, the parameters of the models are modified based on laboratory disc cutter excavation test results. The results of numerical calculation can reflect the load level and the behavior of the disc cutters during operation. The tangential loads of the disc cutters during the cutting of four typical soft-strata excavation face models are numerically calculated, thus providing reference values for the starting torque of the disc cutters. A greater penetration is suggested for soft-strata tunneling to allow the disc cutters to rotate smoothly and continuously as well as to guarantee a better cutting effect. The disc cutters in the center of the cutterhead should be specified with a lower starting torque to prevent uneven wear, rotation stagnation, cutterhead clogging, and other adverse phenomena.
Scouring is one of the primary triggers of failure for bridges across rivers or seas. However, research concerning the scour mechanism of multi-wall foundations (MWFs) remains scarce, hindering the further application of MWFs. In this study, for the first time, the scouring effect caused by unidirectional flow around MWFs was examined numerically using FLOW-3D involving a large-eddy simulation. Initially, the applicability of the scouring model and input parameters was validated using a case study based on published measured data. Subsequently, the scouring effects of four MWFs with different wall arrangements and inflow angles, including the flow field analysis and scour pit and depth, were investigated thoroughly. It was found that the maximum scour depth of MWFs with an inflow angle of 0° was smaller than that of those with an inflow angle of 45°, regardless of the wall arrangement. Meanwhile, changing the inflow angle significantly affects the scour characteristics of MWFs arranged in parallel. In practical engineering, MWFs arranged in parallel are preferred considering the need for scouring resistance. However, a comparative analysis should be performed to consider comprehensively whether to adopt the form of a round wall arrangement when the inflow angle is not 0° or the inflow direction is changeable.
The analysis of the bearing capacity of strip footings sited near an excavation is critical in geotechnics. In this study, the effects of the geometrical features of the excavation and the soil strength properties on the seismic bearing capacity of a strip footing resting on an excavation were evaluated using the lower and upper bounds of the finite element limit analysis method. The effects of the setback distance ratio (L/B), excavation height ratio (H/B), soil strength heterogeneity (kB/cu), and horizontal earthquake coefficient (kh) were analyzed. Design charts and tables were produced to clarify the relationship between the undrained seismic bearing capacity and the selected parameters.
Herein, a two-node beam element enriched based on the Lagrange and Hermite interpolation function is proposed to solve the governing equation of a functionally graded porous (FGP) curved nanobeam on an elastic foundation in a hygro–thermo–magnetic environment. The material properties of curved nanobeams change continuously along the thickness via a power-law distribution, and the porosity distributions are described by an uneven porosity distribution. The effects of magnetic fields, temperature, and moisture on the curved nanobeam are assumed to result in axial loads and not affect the mechanical properties of the material. The equilibrium equations of the curved nanobeam are derived using Hamilton’s principle based on various beam theories, including the classical theory, first-order shear deformation theory, and higher-order shear deformation theory, and the nonlocal elasticity theory. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified by comparing the results obtained with those of previous reliable studies. Additionally, the effects of different parameters on the free vibration behavior of the FGP curved nanobeams are investigated comprehensively.
A novel cambered surface steel tube damper (CSTD) with a cambered surface steel tube and two concave connecting plates is proposed herein. The steel tube is the main energy dissipation component and comprises a weakened segment in the middle, a transition segment, and an embedded segment. It is believed that during an earthquake, the middle weakened segment of the CSTD will be damaged, whereas the reliability of the end connection is ensured. Theoretical and experimental studies are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed CSTD. Formulas for the initial stiffness and yield force of the CSTD are proposed. Subsequently, two CSTD specimens with different steel tube thicknesses are fabricated and tested under cyclic quasi-static loads. The result shows that the CSTD yields a stable hysteretic response and affords excellent energy dissipation. A parametric study is conducted to investigate the effects of the steel tube height, diameter, and thickness on the seismic performance of the CSTD. Compared with equal-stiffness design steel tube dampers, the CSTD exhibits better energy dissipation performance, more stable hysteretic response, and better uniformity in plastic deformation distributions.
The research and development of high-performance pavement materials has been intensified owing to the demand for long-life pavements. This study is performed to develop a novel pavement material using waste rubber powder, waste lubricating by-product (LBP), and asphalt. Subsequently, the aging properties and aging mechanism of activated waste rubber powder modified asphalt (ARMA) are investigated based on its rheological properties and micro-characterization. The rheological results show that, compared with waste rubber powder modified asphalt (RMA), ARMA offers a higher aging resistance and a longer fatigue life. A comparison and analysis of the rheological aging parameters of ARMA and RMA show that LBP activation diminishes the aging sensitivity of ARMA. The micro-characterization result shows that the aging of ARMA may be caused by the fact that LBP-activated waste rubber powder is more reactive and can form a dense colloidal structure with asphalt. Therefore, the evaporation loss of asphalt light components by heat and the damage to the colloidal structure by oxygen during the aging process are impeded, and the thermal-oxidative aging resistance of ARMA is improved.
Chloride attack on concrete structures is affected by the complex stress state inside concrete, and the effect of recycled aggregates renders this process more complex. Enhancing the chloride resistance of recycled concrete in a complex environment via carbonization facilitates the popularization and application of recycled concrete and alleviates the greenhouse effect. In this study, the chloride ion diffusion and deformation properties of recycled concrete after carbonization are investigated using a chloride salt load-coupling device. The results obtained demonstrate that the chloride ion diffusivity of recycled concrete first decreases and then increases as the compressive load increases, which is consistent with the behavior of concrete, in that it first undergoes compressive deformation, followed by crack propagation. Carbonation enhances the performance of the recycled aggregates and reduces their porosity, thereby reducing the chloride diffusion coefficient of the recycled concrete under different compressive load combinations. The variation in the chloride ion diffusivity of the carbonized recycled aggregate concrete with the load is consistent with a theoretical formula.
Externally bonded (EB) and near-surface mounted (NSM) bonding are two widely adopted and researched strengthening methods for reinforced-concrete structures. EB composite substrates are easy to reach and repair using appropriate surface treatments, whereas NSM techniques can be easily applied to the soffit and concrete member sides. The EB bonded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) technique has a significant drawback: combustibility, which calls for external protective agents, and textile reinforced mortar (TRM), a class of EB composites that is non-combustible and provides a similar functionality to any EB FRP-strengthened substrate. This study employs a finite element analysis technique to investigate the failing failure of carbon textile reinforced mortar (CTRM)-strengthened reinforced concrete beams. The principal objective of this numerical study was to develop a finite element model and validate a set of experimental data in existing literature. A set of seven beams was modelled and calibrated to obtain concrete damage plasticity (CDP) parameters. The predicted results, which were in the form of load versus deflection, load versus rebar strain, tensile damage, and compressive damage patterns, were in good agreement with the experimental data. Moreover, a parametric study was conducted to verify the applicability of the numerical model and study various influencing factors such as the concrete strength, internal reinforcement, textile roving spacing, and externally-applied load span. The ultimate load and deflection of the predicted finite element results had a coefficient of variation (COV) of 6.02% and 5.7%, respectively. A strain-based numerical comparison with known methods was then conducted to investigate the debonding mechanism. The developed finite element model can be applied and tailored further to explore similar TRM-strengthened beams undergoing debonding, and the preventive measures can be sought to avoid premature debonding.
