Experimental investigation on the failure characteristic and synergistic load-bearing mechanism of multi-layer linings for deep soft rock tunnels

Abstract

Multi-layer linings have been widely used in deep rheological soft rock tunnels for the excellent performance in preventing large-deformation hazards. Previous studies have focused on the bearing capability of multi-layer lining, however, its failure characteristics and synergistic load-bearing mechanisms under high geo-stress are still unclear. To fill the gap, three-dimensional geomechanical model tests were conducted and synergistic mechanisms were analysed in this study. The model test was divided into normal loading, excavating, and overloading stages. The surrounding rock deformation was monitored by using an improved high-precise extensometer measurement system. Results show that the largest radial deformation appears on the sidewall, followed by the floor and vault during the excavating stage. The relative convergence deformation of sidewalls springing reaches 1.32 mm. The failure characteristics of the multi-layer linings during the overloading stage undergo an evolution of stability, crack initiation, local failure, and collapse, with a safety factor of 1.0-1.6, 1.6-2.0, and 2.0-2.2, respectively. The synergistic load-bearing mechanism analysis results suggest that the early stiffness and late yielding deformation capacity of large deformation support measures play important roles in stability maintenance both in the construction and operation of deep soft rock tunnels. Therefore, the combination of yielding support or a compressible layer with reinforced support is recommended to mitigate the effect of the high geo-stress.

Keywords

Multi-layer linings / Deep soft rock tunnel / Failure characteristics / Synergistic load-bearing mechanism / 3D model test

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Haibo Wang: Writing - original draft, Visualization, Validation, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Conceptualization. Fuming Wang: Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition. Chengchao Guo: Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition. Lei Qin: Writing - review & editing, Formal analysis. Jun Liu: Writing - review & editing. Tongming Qu: Writing - review & editing, Formal analysis.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Acknowledgement

The work was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant Nos. 2021YFB2600800 & 2023YFB2604005), and the National Key Research and Development 451 Program of China (Grant No. 2021YFC3100803). The authors are very grateful to Prof. Li Liping and Shandong University for their support of this study.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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