Effect of Seismic P-Waves Propagation on Circular Tunnels in Layered Ground

Abstract

During propagation of the compression seismic P-waves, the tunnels are subjected to ovaling deformations. In cases where the soil stiffness is varying along the tunnel cross-section, tunnel lining may take sharper deformed shapes and subjected to magnified bending moments and thrust forces. This paper investigates the effect of the soil stratification on the seismic behavior of circular tunnels under P-waves loading. A 2D finite element models with time history earthquake (EQ) analysis were performed accounting for different tunnel/soil interface slippage conditions. The finite element analysis results were compared with recent analytical solution for calculating the seismic forces of the tunnel lining. The study proved that soil stratification has a great effect on the tunnel seismic forces and it should be considered in the analysis and design. Illustrative curves were presented in this paper to give approximate magnification factors for the anticipated forces. It should be used as a guide in the preliminary design stage.