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Effects of fault zones on failure mechanism of tunnel, an experimental study

  • Ba Thao Vu
  • , Hehua Zhu*
  • , Qianwei Xu
  • , Xiaoying Zhuang
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceedingConference contributionResearchpeer review

Abstract

This paper presents a large-scale experiment for studying the effects of fault zones on the failure process and failure pattern of tunnel. Firstly, appropriate synthetic materials representing fault zones and rock mass were developed. The mix of fine sand and grease was adopted to model the fault zones. Secondly, an experimental model was then performed to investigate the effects of fault zones on the progressive failure of tunnels. It was found that the presence of fault zones caused the asymmetry of convergent deformations and failure patterns. The fault zone itself failed initially and became a slip surface, which then led to the failure of surrounding rock masses and eventually caused the collapse of the tunnel. Failure mechanisms of tunnels with a fault zone obtained by model tests are helpful for the implementation of optimum support designing.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of China-Europe Conference on Geotechnical Engineering
EditorsWei Wu, Hai-Sui Yu
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages1186-1191
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-97115-5
ISBN (Print)9783319971148
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Aug 2018
EventChina-Europe Conference on Geotechnical Engineering, 2016 - Vienna, Austria
Duration: 13 Aug 201616 Aug 2016

Publication series

NameSpringer Series in Geomechanics and Geoengineering
Number216849
ISSN (Print)1866-8755
ISSN (Electronic)1866-8763

Conference

ConferenceChina-Europe Conference on Geotechnical Engineering, 2016
Country/TerritoryAustria
CityVienna
Period13 Aug 201616 Aug 2016

Keywords

  • Fault zone
  • Progressive failure
  • Synthetic material
  • Tunnel

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Mechanics of Materials

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