• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.427-438
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• 2011

Segment lining is a key permanent lining structure to maintain the shield tunnel stability in shield tunnel operation. Moreover, segment lining generally accounts for the largest proportion in the shield tunnel construction costs. As a result, technical improvements to increase its economic feasibility have been actively carried out. This study aims to propose the development directions of high-performance segments from their recent cutting technologies. In addition, based on over 2,100 world-widely collected segment design data, a series of statistical analyses of segment key design parameters such as thickness, width and the number of divisions as well as segment materials were carried out to approximately estimate them in a design stage.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.695-702
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• 2015

Recently, the improvement of mechanical and theoretical issues in geo-centrifuge test enhances the applicability and accuracy of the test. Geo-centrifuge test is appropriate to simulate the behaviors of underground structures like tunnel, since tunnel interacts with the soil and/or rock around it and the test can embody the in-situ stress conditions effectively. In this study, the seismic behaviors of twin tunnel were analyzed based on geo-centrifuge test. Flexible segment to mitigate seismic acceleration were implemented in the model with thin and thick thickness. Based on the test results, it was found that flexible segment can decrease the peak acceleration generally, however, thin flexible segment was not able to reduce peak acceleration in short-period seismic wave. Thick flexible segment was more effective in case of high bedrock acceleration condition. Additionally, 3-dimensional numerical analysis was performed to verify the characteristics of seismic behavior and the effect of flexible segment. Consequently, the numerical analysis result showed good agreement with the test result.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.337-354
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• 2013

For shield TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunnel lining, the segment joint is the most critical component for determining the mechanical response of the complete lining ring. To investigate the mechanical behavior of the segment joint in a water conveyance tunnel, which is different from the vehicle tunnel because of the external loads and the high internal water pressure during the tunnel's service life, full-scale joint tests were conducted. The main advantage of the joint tests over previous ones was the definiteness of the loads applied to the joints using a unique testing facility and the acquisition of the mechanical behavior of actual joints. Furthermore, based on the test results and the theoretical analysis, a mechanical model of segment joints has been proposed, which consists of all important influencing factors, including the elastic-plastic behavior of concrete, the pre-tightening force of the bolts and the deformations of all joint components, i.e., concrete blocks, bolts and cast iron panels. Finally, the proposed mechanical model of segment joints has been verified by the aforementioned full-scale joint tests.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.441-451
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• 2016

This study analyzed behavior of the segment lining considering connection type between inner-slab and segment lining for a double deck tunnel by Shield TBM. In order to establish the design requirements of inner-slab and segment lining in double deck tunnel, inner structure of double deck tunnel at each purpose was analyzed and compared connection type between inner-slab and segment lining. And analyses have been carried out through the beam-spring model by MIDAS Civil 2012. As a result of this study, inner-slab, connection type of between inner-slab and segment lining and Lateral earth pressure coefficients were analyzed to verify the significant design factors.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.503-515
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• 2017

Underground structures that have recently become larger are required to be stable not only during normal times but also during earthquakes. Especially, it is very important to maintain the stability of the subsea tunnels during the earthquake. The objective of this paper is to verify the effectiveness of the flexible segment, which is one of the breakthrough facilities to maintain the stability of the subsea tunnel during the earthquake using the shaking table test. Another goal of this paper is to propose the optimum position of the flexible segment through 3D dynamic numerical analysis based on the verified results from shaking table tests. The 1g shaking table test considering the similarity ratio (1:100) to the cross section of the selected artificial subsea tunnel was carried out considering the Geongju and Artificial seismic waves, longitudinal and lateral wave, and with/without flexible segments eight times or more. As a result of the shaking table test, it was confirmed that the flexible segment is effective in improving the seismic performance of the undersea tunnel in all the experimental results. In addition, 3D dynamic numerical analysis was performed to select the optimum position of the flexible segment which is effective for improving seismic performance. As a result, it was confirmed that the seismic acceleration is attenuated when the flexible segment is installed adjacent to the branch section in subsea tunnel.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.623-635
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• 2018

In order to study the mechanical behavior of shield tunnel segments during assembly stage, the in-situ tests and FDM numerical simulation were conducted based on the Foguan Shiziyang Tunnel with large cross-section. Analysis for the load state of the assembling segments in different assembly steps as well as the investigation for the changing of inner forces and longitudinal stress of segments with assembling steps were carried out in this paper. By comparing the tested results with the simulated results, the conclusions and suggestions could be drawn as follows: (1) It is the most significant for the effects on axial force and bending moment caused by the assembly of adjacent segment, followed by the insertion of key segment while the effects in the other assembly steps are relative smaller. With the increasing value of axial force, the negative bending moment turns into positive and remains increasing in most monitored sections, while the bending moment of segment B1and B6 are negative and keeping increasing; (2) The closer the monitored section to the adjacent segments or the key segment, the more significant the internal forces response, and the monitored effects of key segment insertion are more obvious than that of calculation; (3) The axial forces are all in compression during assembling and the monitored values are about 1.5~1.75 times larger than the calculated values, and the monitored values of bending moment are about 2 times the numerical calculation. The bending moment is more sensitive to the segments assembly process compared with axial force, and it will result in the large bending moment of segments during assembling when the construction parameters are not suitable or the assembly error is too large. However, the internal forces in assembly stage are less than those in normal service stage; (4) The distribution of longitudinal stress has strong influence on the changing of the internal forces. The segment side surface and intrados in the middle of two adjacent jacks are the crack-sensitive positions in the early assembly stage, and subsequently segment corners far away from the jacks become the crack-sensitive parts either.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.143-147
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• 2013

Geothermal energy is easy to take advantage of renewable energy stored in the earth and the heat exchanger can be collected through a heat exchange piping system. In this study, have been developed a heat exchange pipe loop system which it could be installed in tunnel segmental linings to collect geothermal energy around the tunnel. The heat exchange pipe loop system incorporated in the tunnel segments circulate fluid to transport with heat from the surrounding ground and the heat can be used for heating and cooling of nearby structures or districts. The segmental lining incorporating heat exchange pipe loop system are called as ELS (Energy Lining Segment). There are a number of examples incorporating a heat exchange pipe loop system in a tunnel lining in Europe. In this study, a field case using Energy Lining Segment in Germany and applications in urban area are thoroughly examined. In addition, a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis was carried out to investigate heat flow in Energy Lining Segment.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.471-486
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• 2022

The effect of segmental joints is one of main importance for the segmental lining design when tunnels are excavated by a mechanized process. In this paper, segmental tunnel linings are analyzed by two numerical methods, namely the Beam-Spring Method (BSM) and the Solid-Interface Method (SIM). For this purpose, the Tehran Subway Line 6 Tunnel is considered to be the reference case. Comprehensive 2D numerical simulations are performed considering the soil's calibrated plastic hardening model (PH). Also, an advanced 3D numerical model was used to obtain the stress relaxation value. The SIM numerical model is conducted to calculate the average rotational stiffness of the longitudinal joints considering the joints bending moment distribution and joints openings. Then, based on the BSM, a sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the influence of the ground rigidity, depth to diameter ratios, slippage between the segment and ground, segment thickness, number of segments and pattern of joints. The findings indicate that when the longitudinal joints are flexible, the soil-segment interaction effect is significant. The joint rotational stiffness effect becomes remarkable with increasing the segment thickness, segment number, and tunnel depth. The pattern of longitudinal joints, in addition to the joint stiffness ratio and number of segments, also depends on the placement of longitudinal joints of the key segment in the tunnel crown (similar to patterns B and B').

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.833-839
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• 2018

Dynamic behaviour of a tunnel is one of the most important issues for the safety and it is generally subjected to the seismic response of the surrounding soil. Relative displacement occurred in tunnel lining during earthquake produces severe damage. Generally, it concentrates at the connecting area when two tunnels are connected in the ground. A flexible segment is a useful device for the mitigation of seismic loads on tunnel lining. In this study, 1-g shaking table tests are performed to investigate the acceleration response for the verification of the effect of flexible segment and to determine the optimum location of the flexible segment for connected tunnels. Four different seismic waves are considered; as a result, peak acceleration is reduced to 49% in case that flexible segment is implemented adjacent to connecting area. It also exhibited that the mitigation of acceleration response is verified in all seismic waves. Additionally, 3-dimensional numerical analysis is performed to compare and verify the results. And the numerical results show good agreement to those of the experimental study.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.599-614
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• 2024

To evaluate the safety status of deteriorated segments in a submarine shield tunnel during its service life, a seepage model was established based on a cross-sea shield tunnel project. This model was used to study the migration patterns of erosive ions within the shield segments. Based on these laws, the degree of deterioration of the segments was determined. Using the derived analytical solution, the internal forces within the segments were calculated. Lastly, by applying the formula for calculating safety factors, the variation trends in the safety factors of segments with different degrees of deterioration were obtained. The findings demonstrate that corrosive seawater presents the evolution characteristics of continuous seepage from the outside to the inside of the tunnel. The nearby seepage field shows locally concentrated characteristics when there is leakage at the joint, which causes the seepage field's depth and scope to significantly increase. The chlorine ion content decreases gradually with the increase of the distance from the outer surface of the tunnel. The penetration of erosion ions in the segment is facilitated by the presence of water pressure. The ion content of the entire ring segment lining structure is related in the following order: vault < haunch < springing. The difference in the segment's rate of increase in chlorine ion content decreases as service time increases. Based on the analytical solution calculation, the segment's safety factor drops more when the joint leaks than when its intact, and the change rate between the two states exhibits a general downward trend. The safety factor shows a similar change rule at different water depths and continuously decreases at the same segment position as the water depth increases. The three phases of "sudden drop-rise-stability" are represented by a "spoon-shaped" change rule on the safety factor's change curve. The issue of the poor applicability of indicators in earlier studies is resolved by the analytical solution, which only requires determining the loss degree of the segment lining's effective bearing thickness to calculate the safety factor of any cross-section of the shield tunnel. The analytical solution's computation results, however, have some safety margins and are cautious. The process of establishing the evaluation model indicates that the secondary lining made of molded concrete can also have its safety status assessed using the analytical solution. It is very important for the safe operation of the tunnel and the safety of people's property and has a wide range of applications.