Impact of ground motion characteristics on the seismic fragility of circular tunnels

The seismic performance of tunnel structure can be examined by fragility analysis, which determines the probability that demand will exceed capacity for a given hazard intensity. Although it is commonly understood that earthquake uncertainties dominate fragility features, the implication of ground m...

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Main Authors: Zhong-Kai Huang, Dong-Mei Zhang, Wu-Yu Zhang, Yong-Bo Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-10-01
Series:Underground Space
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246796742500056X
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author Zhong-Kai Huang
Dong-Mei Zhang
Wu-Yu Zhang
Yong-Bo Li
author_facet Zhong-Kai Huang
Dong-Mei Zhang
Wu-Yu Zhang
Yong-Bo Li
author_sort Zhong-Kai Huang
collection DOAJ
description The seismic performance of tunnel structure can be examined by fragility analysis, which determines the probability that demand will exceed capacity for a given hazard intensity. Although it is commonly understood that earthquake uncertainties dominate fragility features, the implication of ground motion characteristics on the shield tunnel fragility analysis has not been comprehensively explored. Thus, this study aims to compare the effects of various earthquake characteristics on the fragility of the investigated shield tunnels. To this end, a typical shield tunnel was chosen and modelled using the finite element software. In addition, to account for typical ground motion characteristics, various ground motion sets, including near-field no plus motions (NFNP), near-field motions with a pulse (NFP), and far-field motions (FF), are selected, and a fragility analysis was assessed for every set of ground motion. The fragility curves were generated employing peak ground acceleration (PGA) as the intensity measure (IM) and tunnel drift as the damage measure (DM). The findings indicate that shield tunnels subjected to NFP may be more vulnerable compared to those subjected to NFNP and FF ground motions. This study’s findings highlight the vital role of ground motion characteristics in evaluating the fragility of shield tunnels. Moreover, the results may inform future seismic risk and resiliency evaluations regarding the importance of considering or disregarding the impacts of ground motion characteristics on tunnel vulnerability.
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issn 2467-9674
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spelling doaj-art-da2b720107ef43a380b4338fc049a86f2025-08-20T02:48:58ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Underground Space2467-96742025-10-012418019610.1016/j.undsp.2024.09.008Impact of ground motion characteristics on the seismic fragility of circular tunnelsZhong-Kai Huang0Dong-Mei Zhang1Wu-Yu Zhang2Yong-Bo Li3Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, ChinaDepartment of Geotechnical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; College of Civil Engineering and Water Resources, Qinghai University, Qinghai 810016, China; Corresponding author at: Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.College of Civil Engineering and Water Resources, Qinghai University, Qinghai 810016, ChinaCCCC Tunnel Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200332, ChinaThe seismic performance of tunnel structure can be examined by fragility analysis, which determines the probability that demand will exceed capacity for a given hazard intensity. Although it is commonly understood that earthquake uncertainties dominate fragility features, the implication of ground motion characteristics on the shield tunnel fragility analysis has not been comprehensively explored. Thus, this study aims to compare the effects of various earthquake characteristics on the fragility of the investigated shield tunnels. To this end, a typical shield tunnel was chosen and modelled using the finite element software. In addition, to account for typical ground motion characteristics, various ground motion sets, including near-field no plus motions (NFNP), near-field motions with a pulse (NFP), and far-field motions (FF), are selected, and a fragility analysis was assessed for every set of ground motion. The fragility curves were generated employing peak ground acceleration (PGA) as the intensity measure (IM) and tunnel drift as the damage measure (DM). The findings indicate that shield tunnels subjected to NFP may be more vulnerable compared to those subjected to NFNP and FF ground motions. This study’s findings highlight the vital role of ground motion characteristics in evaluating the fragility of shield tunnels. Moreover, the results may inform future seismic risk and resiliency evaluations regarding the importance of considering or disregarding the impacts of ground motion characteristics on tunnel vulnerability.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246796742500056XGround motion characteristicsShield tunnelSeismic vulnerabilityResilience assessment
spellingShingle Zhong-Kai Huang
Dong-Mei Zhang
Wu-Yu Zhang
Yong-Bo Li
Impact of ground motion characteristics on the seismic fragility of circular tunnels
Underground Space
Ground motion characteristics
Shield tunnel
Seismic vulnerability
Resilience assessment
title Impact of ground motion characteristics on the seismic fragility of circular tunnels
title_full Impact of ground motion characteristics on the seismic fragility of circular tunnels
title_fullStr Impact of ground motion characteristics on the seismic fragility of circular tunnels
title_full_unstemmed Impact of ground motion characteristics on the seismic fragility of circular tunnels
title_short Impact of ground motion characteristics on the seismic fragility of circular tunnels
title_sort impact of ground motion characteristics on the seismic fragility of circular tunnels
topic Ground motion characteristics
Shield tunnel
Seismic vulnerability
Resilience assessment
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246796742500056X
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AT dongmeizhang impactofgroundmotioncharacteristicsontheseismicfragilityofcirculartunnels
AT wuyuzhang impactofgroundmotioncharacteristicsontheseismicfragilityofcirculartunnels
AT yongboli impactofgroundmotioncharacteristicsontheseismicfragilityofcirculartunnels