• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.129-145
• /
• 2014

In order to investigate the characteristics of torsional wind loads on rectangular tall buildings, five models with different rectangular cross-sections were tested in a boundary wind tunnel. Based on the test results, the RMS force coefficients, power spectrum densities as well as vertical correlation functions of torsional wind loads were analyzed. Formulas that took the side ratio as parameters were proposed to fit the test results above. Comparisons between the results calculated by the formulas and the wind tunnel measurements were made to verify the reliability of the proposed formulas. An simplified expression to evaluate the dynamic torsional wind loads on rectangular tall buildings in urban terrain is presented on basis of the above formulas and has been proved by a practical project. The simplified expressions as well as the proposed formulas can be applied to estimate wind-induce torsional response on rectangular tall buildings in the frequency domain.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.491-505
• /
• 2023

The practical usage of underground space and demand for vehicular tunnels necessitate the construction of non-circular wide rectangular tunnels. However, constructing large tunnels in soft clayey soil conditions with no ground improvement can lead to excessive ground deformations and collapse. In recent years, in situ ground improvement techniques such as jet grouting and deep cement mixing are often utilized to perform cement-stabilisation around the tunnel boundary to prevent large deformations and failure. This paper discusses the stability characteristics and failure behaviour of a wide rectangular tunnel in cement-treated soft clays. First, the plane strain finite element model is developed and validated with the results of centrifuge model tests available in the past literature. The critical tunnel support pressures computed from the numerical study are found to be in good agreement with those of centrifuge model tests. The influence of varying strength and thickness of improved soil surround, and cover depth are studied on the stability and failure modes of a rectangular tunnel. It is observed that the failure behaviour of the tunnel in improved soil surround depends on the ratio of the strength of improved soil surround to the strength of surrounding soil, i.e., q_ui/q_us, rather than just q_ui. For low q_ui/q_us ratios,the stability increases with the cover; however, for the high strength improved soil surrounds with q_ui >> q_us, the stability decreases with the cover. The failure chart, modified stability equation, and stability chart are also proposed as preliminary design guidelines for constructing rectangular tunnels in the improved soil surrounded by soft clays.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.481-497
• /
• 2017

In this paper, full-scale loading tests were performed on a rectangular segmental tunnel lining, which was assembled by steel composite segments, to investigate its load-bearing structural behavior and failure mechanism. The tests were also used to confirm the composite effect by adding concrete inside to satisfy the required performance under severe loading conditions. The design of the tested rectangular segmental lining and the loading scheme are also described to better understand the bearing capacity of this composite lining structure. It is found that the structural ultimate bearing capacity is governed by the bond capacity between steel plates and the tunnel segment. The failure of the strengthened lining is the consequence of local failure of the bond at waist joints. This led to a fast decrease of the overall stiffness and eventually a loss of the structural integrity.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.81 no.4
• /
• pp.513-522
• /
• 2022

Steel-concrete composite segments replacing the conventional reinforced concrete segments can provide the rectangular shield tunnel superiorities on bearing capacity, ductility and economy. A simplified model with high-efficiency on computation is proposed for investigating the nonlinear response of the rectangular tunnel lining composed of composite segments. The simulation model is developed by an assembly of nonlinear fiber beam elements and spring elements to express the transfer mechanism of forces through components of composite segments, and radial joints. The simulation is conducted with the considerations of material nonlinearity and geometric nonlinearity associated with the whole loading process. The validity of the model is evaluated through comparison of the proposed nonlinear simulation with results obtained from the full-scale test of the segmental tunnel lining. Furthermore, a parameter study is conducted by means of the simplified model. The results show that the stiffness of the radial joint at haunch of the ling and the thickness of inner steel plate of segments have remarkable influence on the behaviour of the lining.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.84 no.5
• /
• pp.633-649
• /
• 2022

In this study, the effect of circle tunnel on the force distribution around underground rectangular gallery was investigated using theoretical approach, experimental test and Particle flow code simulation (PFC). Gypsum model with dimension of 1500×1500 mm was built. Tensile strength of material was 1 MPa. Dimension of central gallery was 100 mm×200 mm and diameter of adjacent tunnel in its right side was 20 mm, 40 mm and 60 mm. Horizontal distance between tunnel wall and gallery edge were 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mm. using beam theory, the effect of tunnel diameter and distance between tunnel and gallery on the induced force around gallery was analyzed. In the laboratory test, the rate of loading displacement was set to 0.05 millimeter per minute. Also sensitivity analysis has been done. Using PFC2D, interaction between tunnel and gallery was simulated and its results were compared with experimental and theoretical analysis. The results show that the tensile force concentration has maximum value in center of the rectangular space. The tensile force concentration at the right side of the axisymmetric line of gallery has more than its value in the left side of the galleries axisymmetric line. The tensile force concentration was decreased by increasing the distance between tunnel and rectangular space. In whole of the configurations, the angles of micro cracks fluctuated between 75 and 105 degrees, which mean that the variations of tunnel situation have not any influence on the fracture angle.

• Proceedings of the Korea Electromagnetic Engineering Society Conference
• /
• 2003.11a
• /
• pp.589-593
• /
• 2003

Narrowband and wideband characterizations of radio propagation channels in tunnel environments are investigated by using ray tracing techniques. For a rectangular straight tunnel and a rectangular curved tunnel, received power is simulated when the receiver moves away from the transmitter. The fast fading statistics of the narrowband propagation are analyzed in terms of cumulative distribution function, level crossing rate and average fade duration. The tunnel wideband radio propagation channel is characterized in terms of mean excess delay and rms delay spread.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.368-377
• /
• 2012

Most tunnel simulations have been focused on the thermal field and the critical velocity for suppression of hot back-layering flow in case of fire and on the characteristics of a tunnel fire in terms of the flame propagation and the toxic gas generation. In this paper, a comparative study of the flow characteristics of polluted air with no heat source in a tunnel model opened and closed at both end sides is implemented into a recognized CFD simulation code. The model is used to investigate the flow characteristics depending on the three different Reynolds numbers of 640, 1270 and 2120, which have been chosen by the flow velocities of 0.3, 0.6 and 1.0 m/s through the inlet. The results of this study have shown that the CFD predictive and experimental approaches are available in qualitatively studying the correlation of flow behaviors for a better tunnel design.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.455-466
• /
• 2020

This paper presents analysis of the interaction between tunnel and Qanat with a particular interest for the optimization of Qanat shape using the discrete element code, PFC2D, and the results will be compared with the FEM results of PLAXIS2D. For these concerns, using software PFC2D based on Discrete Element Method (DEM), a model with dimension of 100m ^⁎ 100 m was prepared. A circular tunnel with dimension of 9 m was situated 20 m below the ground surface. Also one Qanat was situated perpendicularly above the tunnel roof. Distance between Qanat center and ground surface was 8 m. Five different shapes for Qanat were selected i.e., square, semi-circular, vertical ellipse, circular and horizontal ellipse. Confining pressure of 5 MPa was applied to the model. The vertical displacement of balls situated in ground surface was picked up to measure the ground subsidence. Also two measuring circles were situated at the tunnel roof and at the Qanat roof to check the vertical displacements. The properties of the alluvial soil of Tehran city are: γ_dry=19 (KN/㎥), E= 750 (kg/㎠), ν=0.35, c=0.3(kg/㎠), φ=34°. In order to validate the DEM results, a comparison between the numerical results (obtained in this study) and analytical and field monitoring have been done. The PFC2D results are compared with the FEM results. The results shows that when Qanat has rectangular shape, the tensile stress concentration at the Qanat corners has maximum value while it has minimum value for vertical ellipse shape. The ground subsidence for Qanat rectangular shape has maximum value while it has minimum value for ellipse shape of Qanat. The vertical displacements at the tunnel roof for Qanat rectangular shape has maximum value while it has minimum value for ellipse shape of Qanat. Historical shape of Qante approved the finding of this research.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.465-483
• /
• 2016

This study aims to enhance the understanding of the surface pressure distribution around rectangular bodies, by considering aspects such as the suction pressure at the leading edge on the top and side faces when the body aspect ratio and wind direction are changed. We carried out wind tunnel measurements and numerical simulations of flow around a series of rectangular bodies (a cube and two rectangular bodies) that were placed in a deep turbulent boundary layer. Based on a modern numerical platform, the Navier-Stokes equations with the typical two-equation model (i.e., the standard $k-{\varepsilon}$ model) were solved, and the results were compared with the wind tunnel measurement data. Regarding the turbulence model, the results of the $k-{\varepsilon}$ model are in overall agreement with the experimental results, including the existing data. However, because of the blockage effects in the computational domain, the pressure recovery region is underpredicted compared to the experimental data. In addition, the $k-{\varepsilon}$ model sometimes will fail to capture the exact flow features. The primary emphasis in this study is on the flow characteristics around rectangular bodies with various aspect ratios and approaching wind directions. The aspect ratio and wind direction influence the type of wake that is generated and ultimately the structural loading and pressure, and in particular, the structural excitation. The results show that the surface pressure variation is highly dependent upon the approaching wind direction, especially on the top and side faces of the cube. In addition, the transverse width has a substantial effect on the variations in surface pressure around the bodies, while the longitudinal length has less influence compared to the transverse width.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.21-35
• /
• 2016

Employing non-associated flow rule and Power-Law failure criterion, the failure mechanisms of tunnel roof in homogeneous and layered soils are studied in present analysis. From the viewpoint of energy, limit analysis upper bound theorem and variation principle are introduced to study the influence of dilatancy on the collapse mechanism of rectangular tunnel considering effects of supporting force and seepage force. Through calculation, the collapsing curve expressions of rectangular tunnel which are excavated in homogeneous soil and layered soils respectively are derived. The accuracy of this work is verified by comparing with the existing research results. The collapsing surface shapes with different dilatancy coefficients are draw out and the influence of dilatancy coefficient on possible collapsing range is analyzed. The results show that, in homogeneous soil, the potential collapsing range decreases with the decrease of the dilatancy coefficient. In layered soils, the total height and the width on the layered position of possible collapsing block increase and the width of the falling block on tunnel roof decrease when only the upper soil's dilatancy coefficient decrease. When only the lower soil's dilatancy coefficient decrease or both layers' dilatancy coefficients decrease, the range of the potential collapsing block reduces.