his study aims to quantitatively analyze the effectiveness of four key auxiliary reinforcement methods—invert depth, bottom shotcrete thickness, leg piles, and sidewall reinforcement—in mitigating invert heaving in tunnels constructed in soft grou...
his study aims to quantitatively analyze the effectiveness of four key auxiliary reinforcement methods—invert depth, bottom shotcrete thickness, leg piles, and sidewall reinforcement—in mitigating invert heaving in tunnels constructed in soft ground, and to determine their optimal combination. Invert heaving, often observed in soft ground due to low bearing capacity and high deformability, can cause significant structural deformation and cracking, compromising tunnel stability.
To address this issue, numerical analyses were performed using FLAC 2D. Key variables included invert depth, bottom shotcrete thickness, leg pile application and type, and sidewall reinforcement using steel bars. A total of 108 cases were analyzed to evaluate both individual and combined effects of these parameters.
Results show that increasing invert depth and applying bottom shotcrete significantly reduce tunnel deformation. Among the reinforcement methods, large-diameter leg piles provided the most effective structural support, while increasing the diameter of sidewall reinforcement bars contributed to stress redistribution and enhanced sidewall stability. The interaction between these reinforcement methods produced synergistic effects in reducing invert heaving, and their effectiveness varied considerably depending on the specific combination applied.
This study provides a quantitative assessment of the key reinforcement factors for mitigating invert heaving in soft ground tunnels and offers practical insights for developing optimal reinforcement strategies that balance construction feasibility and structural safety.