Analytical solutions of vertical load on deep rectangular jacked pipe considering tunnelling-induced ground loss

Abstract

Determining earth pressure on jacked pipes is essential for ensuring lining safety and calculating jacking force, especially for deep-buried pipes. To better reflect the soil arching effect resulting from the excavation of rectangular jacked pipes and the distribution of the earth pressure on jacked pipes, we present an analytical solution for predicting the vertical earth pressure on deep-buried rectangular pipe jacking tunnels, incorporating the tunnelling-induced ground loss distribution. Our proposed analytical model consists of the upper multi-layer parabolic soil arch and the lower friction arch. The key parameters (i.e., width and height of friction arch B and height of parabolic soil arch H ₁) are determined according to the existing research, and an analytical solution for K _l is derived based on the distribution characteristics of the principal stress rotation angle. With consideration for the transition effect of the mechanical characteristics of the parabolic arch zone, an analytical solution for soil load transfer is derived. The prediction results of our analytical solution are compared with tests and simulation results to validate the effectiveness of the proposed analytical solution. Finally, the effects of different parameters on the soil pressure are discussed.

Keywords

rectangular pipe jacking tunnel / vertical load / multi-layer parabolic soil arch model / soil arching

References

[1] WangJ, FangQ, ZhengG-l, et al.. Influences of bit button wear on performance of rotary-percussive drilling: MBD-DEM coupling simulation and verification [J]. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 2025, 17(3): 1585-1598

[2] CaoL-q, ChenX-s, LuD-c, et al.. Theoretical prediction of ground settlements due to shield tunneling in multi-layered soils considering process parameters [J]. Underground Space, 2024, 16: 29-43

[3] ZhangY, TaoL-j, LiuJ, et al.. Construction techniques and mechanical behavior of newly-built large-span tunnel ultra-short distance up-crossing the existing shield tunnel with oblique angle [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2023, 138: 105162

[4] HuX-y, HeC, LaiX-h, et al.. A DEM-based study of the disturbance in dry sandy ground caused by EPB shield tunneling [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2020, 101: 103410

[5] SterlingR L. Developments and research directions in pipe jacking and microtunneling [J]. Underground Space, 2020, 5(1): 1-19

[6] ChenX-l, MaB-s, NajafiM, et al.. Long rectangular box jacking project: A case study [J]. Underground Space, 2021, 6(2): 101-125

[7] WangJ-c, ZhangD-l, ChenJ-y, et al.. A novel mechanics model for predicting vertical load and jacking force via rectangle pipe considering soil arching effect [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2024, 152: 105952

[8] JiX-b, NiP-p, BarlaM. Analysis of jacking forces during pipe jacking in granular materials using particle methods [J]. Underground Space, 2019, 4(4): 277-288

[9] MaP, ShimadaH, SasaokaT, et al.. A new method for predicting the friction resistance in rectangular pipe-jacking [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2022, 123: 104338

[10] ZhangY-l, FengX, ZhouH, et al.. Pressure characteristics of rectangular box jacking considering box-soil-lubricant interaction [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2022, 126: 104569

[11] OngD E L, ChooC S. Assessment of non-linear rock strength parameters for the estimation of pipe-jacking forces. Part 1. Direct shear testing and backanalysis [J]. Engineering Geology, 2018, 244: 159-172

[12] JiangM-j, YinZ-yu. Analysis of stress redistribution in soil and earth pressure on tunnel lining using the discrete element method [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2012, 32: 251-259

[13] FranzaA, MarshallA M, ZhouB. Greenfield tunnelling in sands: The effects of soil density and relative depth [J]. Géotechnique, 2019, 69(4): 297-307

[14] ZhengH-b, LiP-f, MaG-wei. Stability analysis of the middle soil pillar for asymmetric parallel tunnels by using model testing and numerical simulations [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2021, 108: 103686

[15] ZhangM-x, DaiZ-h, ZhangX-q, et al.. Active failure characteristics and earth pressure distribution around deep buried shield tunnel in dry sand stratum [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2022, 124: 104479

[16] LiuX-y, FangH-y, WangF-m, et al.. Horizontal trap-door investigation on face failure zone of shield tunneling in sands [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2021, 28(3): 866-881

[17] HuX-y, FuW, WuS-z, et al.. Numerical study on the tunnel stability in granular soil using DEM virtual air bag model [J]. Acta Geotechnica, 2021, 16(10): 3285-3300

[18] MaK-m, ZhangJ-r, DaiY, et al.. The calculation for ultimate surrounding earth pressure on deep-buried tunnels in aeolian sand stratum to prevent surface collapse [J]. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 2022, 81(9): 390

[19] LuB, SheilB B, ZhaoW, et al.. Earth pressure in sandy soils above the pipe-roof structure: Experimental and theoretical investigation [J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2024, 173: 106565

[20] TerzaghiK Theoretical soil mechanics [M], 1943 194-197

[21] LiangL-j, XuC-j, ChenQ-z, et al.. Experimental and theoretical investigations on evolution of soil-arching effect in 2D trapdoor problem [J]. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2020, 20(6): 06020007

[22] ChenR P, TangL J, YinX S, et al.. An improved 3D wedge-prism model for the face stability analysis of the shield tunnel in cohesionless soils [J]. Acta Geotechnica, 2015, 10(5): 683-692

[23] JacobszS. Trapdoor experiments studying cavity propagation [C]. Proceedings of the first Southern African geotechnical conference, 2016 159-165

[24] ChenK-h, PengF-le. An improved method to calculate the vertical earth pressure for deep shield tunnel in Shanghai soil layers [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2018, 75: 43-66

[25] ZhangH-f, ZhangP, ZhouW, et al.. A new model to predict soil pressure acting on deep burial jacked pipes [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2016, 60: 183-196

[26] MengF-y, ChenR-p, KangXin. Effects of tunneling-induced soil disturbance on the post-construction settlement in structured soft soils [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2018, 80: 53-63

[27] ChenR-p, LinX-t, WuH-na. An analytical model to predict the limit support pressure on a deep shield tunnel face [J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2019, 115: 103174

[28] WanT, LiP-f, ZhengH, et al.. An analytical model of loosening earth pressure in front of tunnel face for deep-buried shield tunnels in sand [J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2019, 115: 103170

[29] WuJ, LiaoS-m, LiuM-bo. An analytical solution for the arching effect induced by ground loss of tunneling in sand [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2019, 83: 175-186

[30] LinX-t, ChenR-p, WuH-n, et al.. Calculation of earth pressure distribution on the deep circular tunnel considering stress-transfer mechanisms in different zones [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2022, 119: 104211

[31] ZhangY, TaoL-j, ZhaoX, et al.. Analytical model of vertical load acting on jacked pipe considering soil arching effect in cohesionless soil [J]. Underground Space, 2024, 14: 263-284

[32] LaiH-j, ZhengJ-j, ZhangR-j, et al.. Classification and characteristics of soil arching structures in pile-supported embankments [J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2018, 98: 153-171

[33] LinX-t, ChenR-p, WuH-n, et al.. Three-dimensional stress-transfer mechanism and soil arching evolution induced by shield tunneling in sandy ground [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2019, 93: 103104

[34] KhandouziG, KhosraviM H. An analytical investigation of soil arching induced by tunneling in sandy ground [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2023, 140: 105242

[35] LinX-t, SuD, ShenX, et al.. Effect of tunnelling-induced ground loss on the distribution of earth pressure on a deep underground structure [J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2022, 147: 104781

[36] PhamM T, BriançonL, DiasD, et al.. Investigation of load transfer mechanisms in granular platforms reinforced by geosynthetics above cavities [J]. Geotextiles and Geomembranes, 2018, 46(5): 611-624

[37] KhatamiH, DengA, JaksaM. An experimental study of the active arching effect in soil using the digital image correlation technique [J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2019, 108: 183-196

[38] ZhangY, TaoL-j, ZhaoX, et al.. An analytical model for face stability of shield tunnel in dry cohesionless soils with different buried depth [J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2022, 142: 104565

[39] GoelS, PatraN R. Effect of arching on active earth pressure for rigid retaining walls considering translation mode [J]. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2008, 8(2): 123-133

[40] PaikK H, SalgadoR. Estimation of active earth pressure against rigid retaining walls considering arching effects [J]. Géotechnique, 2003, 53(7): 643-653

[41] HandyR L. The arch in soil arching [J]. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 1985, 111(3): 302-318

[42] XuC-j, ChenQ-z, LuoW-j, et al.. Analytical solution for estimating the stress state in backfill considering patterns of stress distribution [J]. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2019, 19(1): 04018189

[43] O’RourkeT D, El-GharbawyS L, StewartH E. Soil loads at pipeline crossings [C]. Pipeline Crossing, 1991 235-238

[44] RuiR, HanJ, Van EekelenS J M, et al.. Experimental investigation of soil-arching development in unreinforced and geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankments [J]. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2019, 145(1): 04018103

[45] TaoL-j, ZhangY, ZhaoX, et al.. Group effect of pipe jacking in silty sand [J]. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2021, 147(11): 05021012

[46] JinY-f, ZhuB-q, YinZ-y, et al.. Three-dimensional numerical analysis of the interaction of two crossing tunnels in soft clay [J]. Underground Space, 2019, 4(4): 310-327

[47] ZhangZ X, LiuC, HuangX, et al.. Three-dimensional finite-element analysis on ground responses during twin-tunnel construction using the URUP method [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2016, 58: 133-146

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Central South University