• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.571-581
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• 2024

Concrete linings in tunnels constructed by drilling and blasting such as NATM serve as a secondary support structure. However, these linings can face unexpected earth pressures if the primary support deteriorates or if ground conditions become unfavorable. It is crucial to determine the loosening earth pressure that allows the lining to maintain its structural integrity and prevent damage caused by this pressure. This study proposes a numerical model for simulating the trapdoor test and developing a method for calculating the loosening earth pressure. The discrete element method (DEM) was employed to describe the soil characteristics around the tunnel. Using this numerical model, a sequence of experimental trapdoor steps was simulated, and the loosening earth pressure was analyzed. Contact parameters were calibrated based on an analysis of a triaxial compression test. The reliability of the developed model was confirmed through a comparison between simulation results and laboratory test findings. The model was used to calculate the contact force applied to the trapdoor plate and to assess the settlement of soil particles. Furthermore, the model accounted for the soil-arching effect, which effectively redistributes the load to the surrounding areas. The proposed model can be applied to analyze the tunnel's cross-sectional dimensions and design stability under various ground conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.13-24
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• 2014

A series of trapdoor model tests was systematically performed in order to investigate soil arching. The mobilized soil arching was clearly observed by change of the vertical earth pressure loaded on trapdoor of soil container box. A slow decent of the loading plate at the trapdoor results in loosening zone over the trapdoor and the stress in this loosening zone was transferred to the stationary zone in the vicinity of the trapdoor. In particular, it was observed that the vertical earth pressure rapidly decreased in the loosening zone and increased in the stationary zone at the trapdoor. Both the maximum decreasing rate of the vertical earth pressure in the loosening zone and the increasing rate of the vertical earth pressure in the stationary zone were not influenced by the ground density, but affected by the size of the trapdoor. The loosening zone could be defined by the elliptical configuration, in which the major axis was twice as long as the height of the loosening zone at the center of trapdoor and the minor axis was the same as the width of trapdoor. The height of loosening zone at the center of trapdoor was one and a half times as long as the width of trapdoor loading plate.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2002

In this study, the influence of the presence of discontinuity planes on the load transfer mechanism and the pattern of loosening zone was studied based on the laboratory test. The trap-door and the reaction plates are installed as the bottom plane of the model box. The vertical discontinuity plane is installed in the dry sand. Various overburden heights and locations of discontinuity planes are applied as major factors in this study. The results show that at higher overburden heights over about 1.5 times the excavation width, the ratio of the transferred stress to the insitu stress converges to a certain value even if the overburden height increases further. The results also show that the discontinuity plane gives relatively larger influence on the load transfer mechanism, that produces the unsymmetrical load concentration, when the discontinuity plane locates within the tunnel width. When the discontinuity plane locates outside the tunnel width, the unsymmetrical load concentration is reduced considerably.