Viscoelastic Burger's model for tunnels supported with tangentially yielding liner
Xiongyu Hu, Marte Gutierrez
Abstract
This study proposed an analytical model for the tunnel supported with a tangentially yielding liner in viscoelastic ground. The efficiency of the developed analytical model was verified by comparing the calculated results with associated numerical simulation results. Using the analytical model, a comprehensive parameter sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the effects of the rate of tunnel face advancement, concrete liner thickness, installation time of liner, and strength and thickness of yielding elements on the tunnel responses. The results highlight the significant benefit of the tangentially yielding liner to relieve overstress in the tunnel liner and improve the stability of the tunnel. The yield efficiency of the tangentially yielding liner depends highly on the yielding strength and deformable capacity of the yielding elements and less on the installation time.