Stability evaluation of a double-deck tunnel with diverging section

Abstract

Due to the various restrictions and problems related to the construction of new roads in urban areas, underground road construction has been receiving a great deal of attention in the field of tunnel engineering. In this study, a double-deck road tunnel with a diverging section was analyzed for the evaluation of its stability. Both numerical analysis and scale model tests were performed, the results were used to develop a stability evaluation method for double-deck tunnels with diverging sections constructed in rocks by NATM. From regression analyses conducted on the results of the numerical analysis, an equation and a chart were derived, these tools allow us to obtain the strength/stress ratio (SSR) for double-deck road tunnels with a diverging tunnel in various diverging conditions quickly and accurately. These tools have great potential to help engineers evaluate the stability of double-deck tunnels in the preliminary design stage.