Optimization Effects of Load Reduction for Earth Pressure on High-Filled Cut-and-Cover Tunnels Using the Discrete Element Method

In the Northwestern part of Loess Plateau of China, the ravine and valley are numerous; therefore, high-filled cut-and-cover tunnels (HFCCTs) play a major role in meeting traffic needs and creating a great deal of usable land. However, due to higher backfill soil, a high earth pressure is generated,...

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Main Authors: Bentian Yu, Junying Xia, Sheng Li, Liangliang Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Advances in Civil Engineering
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8911818
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author Bentian Yu
Junying Xia
Sheng Li
Liangliang Zhao
author_facet Bentian Yu
Junying Xia
Sheng Li
Liangliang Zhao
author_sort Bentian Yu
collection DOAJ
description In the Northwestern part of Loess Plateau of China, the ravine and valley are numerous; therefore, high-filled cut-and-cover tunnels (HFCCTs) play a major role in meeting traffic needs and creating a great deal of usable land. However, due to higher backfill soil, a high earth pressure is generated, which affects the safety of HFCCTs. To this end, using the discrete element method (DEM), three load reduction measures were introduced to evaluate HFCCT: the cross section types of HFCCT; the combination of optimized cross section type with load reduction using expanded polystyrene (EPS); and the combination of optimized cross section type with load reduction using the EPS and concrete wedge (CW). We evaluated changes in earth pressure of HFCCTs with reference to the density and laying position of EPS and the height as well as width of CW. Parametric DEM studies were performed to characterize these influential factors. It was found that different cross section types of HFCCT have a certain influence on earth pressure distribution, and load reduction effects of EPS were extremely obvious, resulting in a sharp drop in vertical earth pressure on top of HFCCT and a slight growth in lateral earth pressure on the sides of HFCCT. Moreover, installation of CWs reduced the VEP and LEP of HFCCT. These factors were also shown to exert important effects on load reduction mechanisms of HFCCT. Based on their influence on earth pressure of HFCCT from a macroscopic and microscopic view, optimal values for influential factors were derived.
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spelling doaj-art-be656e3ec77544ab8a1089eadd49fb7b2025-08-20T03:23:02ZengWileyAdvances in Civil Engineering1687-80861687-80942021-01-01202110.1155/2021/89118188911818Optimization Effects of Load Reduction for Earth Pressure on High-Filled Cut-and-Cover Tunnels Using the Discrete Element MethodBentian Yu0Junying Xia1Sheng Li2Liangliang Zhao3National and Provincial Joint Engineering Laboratory of Road & Bridge Disaster Prevention and Control, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, ChinaNational and Provincial Joint Engineering Laboratory of Road & Bridge Disaster Prevention and Control, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, ChinaIn the Northwestern part of Loess Plateau of China, the ravine and valley are numerous; therefore, high-filled cut-and-cover tunnels (HFCCTs) play a major role in meeting traffic needs and creating a great deal of usable land. However, due to higher backfill soil, a high earth pressure is generated, which affects the safety of HFCCTs. To this end, using the discrete element method (DEM), three load reduction measures were introduced to evaluate HFCCT: the cross section types of HFCCT; the combination of optimized cross section type with load reduction using expanded polystyrene (EPS); and the combination of optimized cross section type with load reduction using the EPS and concrete wedge (CW). We evaluated changes in earth pressure of HFCCTs with reference to the density and laying position of EPS and the height as well as width of CW. Parametric DEM studies were performed to characterize these influential factors. It was found that different cross section types of HFCCT have a certain influence on earth pressure distribution, and load reduction effects of EPS were extremely obvious, resulting in a sharp drop in vertical earth pressure on top of HFCCT and a slight growth in lateral earth pressure on the sides of HFCCT. Moreover, installation of CWs reduced the VEP and LEP of HFCCT. These factors were also shown to exert important effects on load reduction mechanisms of HFCCT. Based on their influence on earth pressure of HFCCT from a macroscopic and microscopic view, optimal values for influential factors were derived.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8911818
spellingShingle Bentian Yu
Junying Xia
Sheng Li
Liangliang Zhao
Optimization Effects of Load Reduction for Earth Pressure on High-Filled Cut-and-Cover Tunnels Using the Discrete Element Method
Advances in Civil Engineering
title Optimization Effects of Load Reduction for Earth Pressure on High-Filled Cut-and-Cover Tunnels Using the Discrete Element Method
title_full Optimization Effects of Load Reduction for Earth Pressure on High-Filled Cut-and-Cover Tunnels Using the Discrete Element Method
title_fullStr Optimization Effects of Load Reduction for Earth Pressure on High-Filled Cut-and-Cover Tunnels Using the Discrete Element Method
title_full_unstemmed Optimization Effects of Load Reduction for Earth Pressure on High-Filled Cut-and-Cover Tunnels Using the Discrete Element Method
title_short Optimization Effects of Load Reduction for Earth Pressure on High-Filled Cut-and-Cover Tunnels Using the Discrete Element Method
title_sort optimization effects of load reduction for earth pressure on high filled cut and cover tunnels using the discrete element method
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8911818
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AT junyingxia optimizationeffectsofloadreductionforearthpressureonhighfilledcutandcovertunnelsusingthediscreteelementmethod
AT shengli optimizationeffectsofloadreductionforearthpressureonhighfilledcutandcovertunnelsusingthediscreteelementmethod
AT liangliangzhao optimizationeffectsofloadreductionforearthpressureonhighfilledcutandcovertunnelsusingthediscreteelementmethod