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Título

INFLUENCE OF TUNNEL DEPTH ON GROUND RESPONSE IN LOOSE AND DENSE SANDY SOILS IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS

Resumo

Urban tunnel construction presents significant challenges due to the potential for ground deformations that threaten the integrity of existing buildings and infrastructure. Therefore, the capability to predict such deformations during the design phase is of paramount importance. This paper examines the influence of tunnel depth on deformations induced by Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) excavations in sandy soils utilizing the Finite Element Method (FEM). The NorSand constitutive model — calibrated against triaxial test data — was selected to capture the complex volumetric and shear behavior of sandy soils under different relative densities. The FEM modeling approach is validated by aligning its predictions with experimental data from six centrifuge tunnel tests reported in the literature. The centrifuge tests were conducted on sands with varying relative densities, tunnel radii, and depths. The paper examines the deformations triggered by shallow tunneling in sandy soils at various depths, assessing the associated risk to overlying structures. Insights from this analysis are critical for the design and planning phases of urban tunneling projects to mitigate the impact above.

Palavras-chave

tunnel, NorSand, numerical modeling, tunnel depth, sand.

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