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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


Deformation and Stress Prediction Methods in Tunnels and their Comparison

Author

Term

4. term

Publication year

2019

Submitted on

Pages

140

Abstract

Specialet undersøger, hvordan deformationer og spændinger i tunneler kan forudsiges, og sammenligner analytiske og numeriske beregningsmetoder med målinger fra anlæg. Som case anvendes tunnel Višňové, hvor analytiske tilgange (bl.a. trykteorier, teorier om løsnet zone og Convergence Confinement Method, CCM) vurderes, og 2D- og 3D-finite element-modeller opbygges i PLAXIS for flere geotekniske afsnit. Beregningerne sammenholdes med in-situ deformationer registreret under udgravningen, og efterfølgende back-analyse anvendes til at kalibrere modellerne. Resultaterne viser, at analytiske metoder egner sig som retningslinjer og validering af numeriske modeller, men at anvendeligheden afhænger af de geologiske forhold. Blandt de analytiske metoder gav CCM de mest pålidelige forskydningsforudsigelser i forhold til FE-modellerne, mens Hoek-Brown-materialemodellen gennemgående undervurderede deformationer og derfor kan være sikkerhedsmæssigt kritisk. Både analytiske og numeriske resultater afveg i et vist omfang fra de målte forskydninger på stedet, hvilket understreger behovet for lokal tilpasning og løbende overvågning.

This thesis examines how to predict deformations and stresses in tunnels and compares analytical and numerical methods against construction monitoring data. Using the Višňové tunnel as a case study, analytical approaches (including pressure theories, loosening-zone concepts, and the Convergence Confinement Method, CCM) are evaluated, and 2D and 3D finite element models are built in PLAXIS for multiple geotechnical sections. Model predictions are compared with in-situ measurements collected during excavation, followed by back-analysis to calibrate the models. The findings indicate that analytical methods are useful for guidance and verification of numerical models, but their applicability depends on the geological conditions. Among the analytical options, CCM best reproduced displacement trends relative to the FE models, while the Hoek–Brown material model consistently underpredicted deformations and may be unsafe. Both analytical and numerical results deviated to some extent from measured displacements, highlighting the need for site-specific adjustments and continuous monitoring.

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