Underground tunnels subjected to asymmetric load or ground conditions are susceptible to experiencing uneven longitudinal bending, shearing, and torsional deformations, which further induce cross sectional flattening and warping. The intrinsic damages caused by multiple deformation modes are critical for tunnel health and safety but have long been neglected in practice. In the paper, a three-dimensional analytical model for soil-tunnel interactions was proposed with multiple-mode deformations incorporated, where the tunnel is assumed as a thin-walled pipe resting on an elastic foundation with five deformation modes: bending, shearing, torsion, warping, and flattening. Besides, a three-dimensional variable soil spring model was adopted, accounting for the strata discontinuities in longitudinal and transverse directions. A finite element solution for the proposed model was derived under arbitrary external loads using the principle of minimum potential energy. The validity of the proposed model was substantiated through three case studies. Based on the model, the coupling relationship of tunnel structure in transverse and longitudinal directions was revealed. Furthermore, parametric analysis was conducted to reveal the impact of tunnel width-to-thickness ratio, soil resistance coefficient, and composite strata on tunnel behaviors. These results significantly contribute to a deeper understanding of the intricate behaviors of tunnels, offering potential advancements for improved tunnel design methodologies.

The excavation of the deep foundation pit of subway station may cause excessive deformation of foundation pit and retaining structure and then pose a threat to the safety of surrounding buildings and people. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the characteristics of ground settlement and lateral displacement of the retaining system of foundation pit caused by deep foundation pit excavation in the Guangzhou composite stratum. Based on 28 subway station projects in Guangzhou, this paper analyses the monitoring data in the process of deep foundation pit excavation and reveals the deformation characteristics of subway deep foundation pit in the Guangzhou composite stratum. The research results can provide data support for the excavation scheme design and environmental control of similar deep foundation pit projects. The results show that: (1) The final deformation of the foundation pit at Guangzhou Metro Station is predominantly within the range of 5 to -15 mm. Monitoring points with settlement values exceeding 30 mm constitute the smallest proportion, while only a limited number of measuring points exhibit surface uplift. The observed ground uplift can be attributed to two primary causes: basement heave and the infiltration of grouting slurry outside the pit. (2) The maximum ground settlement of foundation pit increases with the increase of excavation depth. When the aspect ratio of foundation pit is greater than 15, the maximum ground settlement has an obvious positive linear relationship with it. The insertion ratio of foundation pit retaining structure in the Guangzhou area is mainly concentrated in 0.30-0.59, with an average value of 0.42, and the maximum ground settlement gradually decreases with the increase of insertion ratio. (3) The maximum lateral displacement of the retaining structure of the foundation pit accounts for the largest proportion in the range of -20-25 mm. The maximum lateral displacement of the retaining structure increases with the increase of the excavation depth and the length-width ratio of the foundation pit. The maximum lateral displacement of the retaining structure decreases with the increase of the insertion ratio. There is an obvious skirting phenomenon in the granite residual soil foundation pit. Attention should be paid to and the insertion ratio should be appropriately increased in the project. (4) The maximum ground settlement caused by deep foundation pit excavation of a subway station in the Guangzhou area is 0.99-1.90 times of the lateral displacement of foundation pit retaining structure.

Geological conditions and supporting structures are critical factors influencing the deformation characteristics of deep excavations. This study investigates the deformation characteristics and corresponding control measures for typical deep excavations, focusing on a metro station excavation within a mixed soil-rock stratum in Guangzhou. Using field measurement data collected during the excavation phase, we perform a statistical analysis to examine the relationship between maximum deformation and various influencing factors, including excavation depth, spatial effects, and the insertion ratio of the support structure. Additionally, we explore the distribution of excavation deformations, the relationship between lateral and vertical displacements, and deformation modes, offering engineering recommendations for optimization. Our analysis shows that, due to significant variations in the thickness of soft soil layers in Guangzhou, the maximum lateral displacement of the support structures predominantly ranges from 15 to 30 mm, while vertical ground deformations range from 0.86 parts per thousand to 2.35 parts per thousand of the excavation depth. Increasing the insertion ratio of the support structures improves their stiffness and reduces surface settlement caused by excavation. However, when the base of the support structure is embedded in the load-bearing rock layer and the insertion ratio exceeds 0.25, further increases in the insertion ratio lead to diminishing returns in controlling surface settlement. Both vertical ground deformations and lateral displacements of the support structures are positively correlated with excavation depth, while negatively correlated with the length-to-width ratio, width-to-depth ratio, and insertion ratio of the excavation. Based on these findings, we propose construction measures to enhance the stability of deep excavations and protect adjacent structures.

Collapse is a severe event during metro tunnel construction, particularly in soil-sand-rock composite strata. Variations in the thickness of sand layers, owing to their high compressibility, flowability, and thixotropic properties, significantly impact the mechanical response and deformation of strata, which also directly determine the stability of tunnel excavation processes. Regarding the complexity of the engineering response of the soil-sand-rock composite strata, a series of model tests were conducted to reveal the collapse mechanism of the metro tunnel in the soil-sand-rock composite strata subjected to varying sand layer thickness in this paper. Meanwhile, the influence of sand thickness on the evolution of collapse form, the response of strata stress, and the variation of the displacement and strain fields were systematically discussed by the monitoring data from the miniature earth pressure cells and a two-dimensional full-field deformation measurement system. Moreover, the collapse evolution process was recorded by the industrial camera. The test results indicated that the horizontal displacement of the tunnel shoulders was more affected by the increase in sand layer thickness than the horizontal displacement of the haunches before the tunnel collapse. The high compressibility of the sand layer resisted the transmission of surcharge load to the rock layer. Once the overlying rock layer above the tunnel vault lost its bearing capacity, the thixotropy and flowability properties of the sand layer caused the collapse face to expand funnel-shaped to both sides. The collapse width of the sand-soil interface was proportional to the sand layer thickness. The greater the sand layer thickness, the weaker the ability to provide stable support for the foot of the temporary stratigraphic arch, further reducing the stability of the temporary stratigraphic arch and leading to a faster collapse rate of the composite strata. In general, the results of this research offer valuable guidance for preventing and controlling tunnel collapse in soil-sand-rock composite strata.

This paper addresses stability challenges at excavation faces in shield tunneling through water-rich soil-rock formations, particularly focusing on partial failure caused by significant strength differences between soil and rock layers. A three-dimensional discrete rotational failure mechanism model is developed under the limit analysis upper-bound theorem, considering the influence of pore water pressure. This model leads to a novel method for calculating ultimate support pressure in complex strata, with its reliability confirmed through comparison with existing solutions. Key findings reveal a roughly linear positive correlation between soil layer proportion, water level, soil saturation weight, and ultimate support pressure. Conversely, cohesion, tunnel depth and friction angle demonstrate an inverse correlation. Notably, the relationship between soil layer proportion and ultimate support pressure exhibits significant nonlinearity. Cohesion and water level exert the most significant effects on ultimate support pressure, while the impact of soil layer proportion is notably complex. Additionally, a normalized design method is established using tunnel diameter and soil saturation weight, supported by design charts for varying normalized cohesion, normalized water level, and friction angles. A detailed example of a classic case is provided to illustrate the use of these design charts, aiding practical engineering applications.

Collapse is a typical type of accident during subway tunnel construction. Complex geological conditions, particularly soil -sand -rock composite strata, significantly contribute to strata instability, posing a serious threat to tunnel safety. Indeed, the progressive failure leading to the collapse of subway tunnels in these composite strata exhibits distinct characteristics from that of single strata and warrants further research. In this paper, model tests were conducted to investigate the collapse process of the soil -sand -rock composite strata under different overlayer rock thicknesses. Soil pressure sensors monitored the mechanical response of the strata, while a twodimensional full -field deformation measurement and analysis system (XTDIC-2D) provided displacement and strain fields. Additionally, an industrial camera captured video footage of the failure process. The results demonstrated that the collapse characteristics of the soil -sand -rock composite strata were significantly impacted by overlayer rock layer thickness. As the thickness of the rock layer decreased, the collapse easily expanded to the sand layer under a slight loading. The sand layer exhibited distinct behaviors with high compressibility, thixotropy, and flowability during the collapse process. The high compressibility of the sand layer before collapse resulted in strain concentration within it, thereby resisting the deformation of the rock strata. After the collapse of the rock strata, the thixotropic and flowability properties caused the collapse surface to expand in a funnel shape towards both sides. A stabilized stratigraphic arch could not be formed due to the arch foot being located above the sand layer, which cannot provide stable support. Overall, the results of this research offer valuable guidance for the prevention and control of tunnel collapse in soil -sand -rock composite strata.

Underground engineering construction will inevitably change the stress state of surrounding strata, which will force a negative impact on the surrounding environment, even leading to the large deformation and damage of some adjacent structures. With a focus on the deformation of a typical soil-rock composite stratum site in the construction of Changchun Metro, relying on the shield construction of a parallel twin tunnel project between Northeast Normal University Station and Gong-Nong Square Station, which belongs to the Changchun Metro Line 1, the site deformation characteristics during the shield driving process of parallel twin tunnels were studied. Based on the data obtained from field monitoring and numerical simulation, ground settlement in shield driving was analyzed, the settlement trough was studied with the Peck formula, and the action of shield driving on the adjacent tunnel was discussed. Moreover, the influence range of shield driving was suggested, and the interaction between the twin tunnels with different axis spacings in shield driving was discussed. Some regular results obtained can provide support through data for similar projects in Changchun, China.