Comparative Analysis of Longitudinal Seismic Responses of Rigid, Flexible, and Semirigid Immersed Tunnels Using the Analytical Method
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24, Issue 12
Abstract
To adapt to complex underwater geological conditions, immersed tunnel projects have gone through the development from rigid and flexible to semirigid immersed tunnels. The stiffness of segment joints and the element joint could reflect the differences in structural characteristics of the three types of immersed tunnels. This paper presents a theoretical model using segment joints, the element joint, and 16 segments for the longitudinal seismic response analysis of the three types of immersed tunnels. Based on the matrix transfer principle, the end boundary conditions and the continuity conditions for the forces and deformations at the segment joints and element joint were considered. Analytical solutions were validated by verifying the established laws. Results indicate that the semirigid immersed tunnel, in contrast to the rigid immersed tunnel, can reduce shear forces and bending moments along the longitudinal direction by using segment joints and the element joint. In addition, compared with the flexible immersed tunnel, the semirigid immersed tunnel has higher overall stiffness and better continuity of deformation between the adjacent soil regions through the prestressed tendons inside the tube element. The semirigid immersed tunnel is a viable solution for complex geological conditions where the strata change every few tens of meters.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This research is supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2022YFC3080400), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. 2042023kfyq03), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 52338007, 52078236, and 52078392). The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial supports.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24 • Issue 12 • December 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 22, 2024
Accepted: Jun 14, 2024
Published online: Sep 30, 2024
Published in print: Dec 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Mar 1, 2025
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