Finite element simulation of Tunnel
FEA & CFD Based Simulation Design Analysis Virtual prototyping MultiObjective Optimization
With increasing congestion in modern cities, we are turning even more to underground transportation systems. The consequence is not only tunneling under existing structures but, often, tunneling under existing tunnels. Ground movement is an inevitable risk to nearby structures which must be carefully assessed, both at the planning stage and as the project unfolds. This, in addition to the potential negative effect on the safety of construction and the project cost, means that the ability to make these predictions accurately is key. Surface settlement caused by shallow tunnel construction in Greenfield sites can be predicted with some confidence. Surface settlement in urban areas, however, presents a much more complex interaction between the tunnel and its shafts, the ground and the building.
Constitutive Material models
- Mohr-Coulomb, Tresca
- Drucker-Prager, Von Mises
- Transversely isotropic
- Duncan-Chang
- Hoek-Brown
- Jointed Rock
- Modified Cam-Clay
- Modified Mohr-Coulomb (Cap model)
- Special interface models
- User supplied subroutine
- Multi-directional fixed crack model
- Total-strain crack models with fixed and rotating cracks
- Fiber reinforced material models
- Creep and shrinkage models
Effect of blast and explosion in tunnel and investigation Crack pattern in Concrete
Finite element simulation of tunnel construction and loading
By using the Finite Element Method and correspond special purpose software, it is possible to create detailed 2D and 3D analyses of the interaction between the building, the ground, the tunnel and its shafts. The analysis of existing and new build tunnel linings under the effect of events causing structural damage, freezing, fire, flood, or earthquake are critical to the safety and longevity of the tunnel.
With FEA, a model of the tunnel segments and joints, along with the soil and grout pressures upon it, and potential factors listed above, can be analyzed to show intrinsic possible deformations.
Analysis of Tunnel Include:
- Drained / undrained analysis
- In-situ Stress and Pore-pressure Initialization
- Construction-staged analysis
- Seepage analysis (steady state / transient)
- Saturated or partially saturated flow
- Consolidation analysis (full coupled stress-flow analysis)
- Pressure dependent degree of saturation
- Porosity or saturation dependent permeability
- Deformation dependent density and porosity
- Large displacement and large strain nonlinear analysis
- Nonlinear modelling of joints between the TBM lining segments
- Spectral response analysis (ABS, SRSS, and CQC modal combinations)
- Fluid-structure interaction
- Ground freezing analysis including latent heat consumption, thermal expansion and temperature dependent elasto-plasticity
- Liquefaction simulation
- Finite Element Modelling of rock bolts, nails or geotextiles in soil
- Soil-structure interaction with nonlinear behavior for both soil and structure
- Creep, shrinkage or swelling analysis
- Young concrete analysis including hydration heat, shrinkage, hardening, visco-elasticity and cracking
