Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Analytical Solution for a Loess Tunnel Based on a Bilinear Strength Criterion

  • UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES
  • Published:
Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Aims and scope

The design load of a loessal tunnel is usually calculated using the conventional Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion, which ignores the structural strength of loess and provides inaccurate calculation results. The present paper therefore proposes a bilinear strength criterion considering the structural strength characteristics of loess determined in a triaxial shear experiment. Then, using the new strength criterion, a new theoretical solution is derived for the stress and displacement of loess in each region separately; the solution is validated by numerical simulation. Lastly, the ground reaction curve and the design load of a tunnel are obtained using the proposed method considering the structural strength of loess. The results obtained using the new method are more reasonable and accurate than the results calculated using the conventional method. The proposed strength criterion and theoretical solution expand the knowledge base of loess engineering and provide guidelines for the design and construction of underground structures in loess ground.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. V. I. Travush, A. V. Tsoi, and A. T. Marufii, "Influence of local wetting of loess soil on the redistribution of reactive pressures under foundations," Soil Mech. Found. Eng., 53(2), 67-70 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. A. M. Dzagov, "Determination of characteristics of the proneness of loess soils to slump-type settlement," Soil Mech. Found. Eng., 46(6), 260-268 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. I. F. Jefferson, Nadira. Mavlyanova, K. O'Hara-Dhand, and I.J. Smalley, "The engineering geology of loess ground: 15 tasks for investigators-the Mavlyanov programme of loess research," Eng. Geol., 74, 33-37 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. A. M. Assallay, C. D. F. Rogers, and I. J. Smalley, "Formation and collapse of metastable particle packings and open structures in loess deposits," Eng. Geol., 48, 101-115 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Yiguo Guo, Xueliang Zhang, Shucai Li, Daohong Qiu, Maoxin Su, Liping Li, Zhiqiang Li, and Yufan Tao, "Analysis of factors influencing tunnel deformation in loess deposits by data mining: a deformation prediction model," Eng. Geol., 232, 94-103 (2018).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Guohua Deng, Shengjun Shao, and Fangtao She, "Modified cam-clay model of structured loess," Chin. J. Geotech. Eng., 34(5), 834-841 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Cunli Chen, Junfang He, and Peng Yang, "Constitutive relationship of intact loess considering structural effect," Rock Soil Mech., 28(11), 2284-2290 (2007).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Wangmin Xia, Xinming Guo, Zengyu Guo, and Qinge Cai, "Elastoplastic damage constitutive model of loess," Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng., 28(S1), 3239-3243 (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Zaiqiang Hu, Zhujiang Sheng, and Dingyi Xie, "Constitutive model of structural loess," Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng., 24(4), 565-569 (2005).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Yoshimine Mitsutoshi, Xiaorong Hu, Maohong Yu, and Wen Fan, "Influences of the strength theory on geotechnical structure analysis," Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng., 21(S2), 2314-2317 (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Jinxing Lai, Haobo Fan, Hongpeng Lai, Yongli Xie, Zhao Hu, Junling Qiu, and Ningquan Cao, "In-situ monitoring and analysis of tunnel deformation law in weak loess," Rock Soil Mech., 36(7), 2003- 2012+2020 (2015).

  12. Pengfei Li, Yong Zhang, and Xiaojun Zhou, "Displacement characteristics of high-speed railway tunnel construction in loess ground by using multi-step excavation method," Tunn. Undergr. Space Technol., 51, 41-55 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Jianxun Chen, Xiong Qiao, and Mengshu Wang, "Stress and action mechanism of rock bolt in loess tunnel," Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng., 30(8), 1690-1697 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Zhongsheng Tan, Yu Yu, and Mingnian Wang, "Experimental research on bolt anchorage effect on large-section deep-buried tunnel in loess," Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng., 27(8), 1618-1625 (2008).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Zundian Liu, Mechanics and Engineering of Loess [in Chinese], Shaanxi Science & Technology Press, Xi'an (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Jinqian Dang and Jing Li, "The structural strength and shear strength of unsaturated loess," J. Hydraul. Eng., 7, 79-83+90 (2001).

  17. Cunli Chen, Zaiqiang Hu, and Peng Gao, "Research on relationship between structure and deformation property of intact loess," Rock and Soil Mech., 27(11), 1891-1896 (2006).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Baoshu Guan, Introduction to Tunnel Mechanics [in Chinese], Southwest Jiaotong University Press, Cheng Du (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Q. Yan, S. C. Li, C. Xie, and Y. Li, "Analytical Solution for Bolted Tunnels in Expansive Loess Using the Convergence-confinement Method," Int. J. Geomech., 18(1), 04017124 (2018).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China

    Mingnian Wang & Li Yu

Authors
  1. Mingnian Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yucang Dong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Li Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Li Yu.

Additional information

Translated from Osnovaniya, Fundamenty i Mekhanika Gruntov, No. 4, p. 14, July-August, 2020.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, M., Dong, Y. & Yu, L. Analytical Solution for a Loess Tunnel Based on a Bilinear Strength Criterion . Soil Mech Found Eng 57, 296–304 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11204-020-09669-w

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11204-020-09669-w

Search

Navigation