Numerical validation of analytical solutions for tunnels and their applicability evaluation index

• Published in: Soil dynamics and earthquake engineering (1984) 2023-11, Vol.174, p.108206, Article 108206
• Main Authors: Duan, Yawei, Huang, Jingqi, Zhao, Mi, Zhao, Xu, Li, Huifang, Du, Xiuli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical solutions; Evaluation index; Internal force; Numerical validation; Seismic waves; Tunnels
• ISSN: 0267-7261; 1879-341X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soildyn.2023.108206

Analytical solutions are widely adopted in the preliminary seismic design of tunnels, which gives credit to their quick response and convenience to provide the internal forces and displacements of tunnels. In the first part of this paper, five analytical solutions are extensively verified by comparing them with the reference solution which obtained by the dynamic finite element method. Some suggestions are given for their application in design according to the prediction results. The analytical solutions contain some assumptions, which may not be applicable to all possible scenarios. Therefore, the application scope of analytical solution in practical engineering is limited, and this application scope has not been discussed at present. In the second part of this paper, the applicability evaluation index is established for the first time to evaluate the critical condition for the application of analytical solution. Then, the applicability function is obtained by fitting the relationships between the critical condition and the flexibility ratios, which can be convenient to calculate the critical condition for the application of analytical solutions in engineering. Finally, the applicability of analytical solution in some engineering projects is correctly evaluated based on the proposed applicability evaluation index and applicability function. •The results of dynamic finite element analysis are used as reference solutions to verify the five analytical solution.•Applicability evaluation index is proposed to evaluate the critical condition for the application of analytical solution.•Applicability function is obtained by fitting the relationships between the critical condition and the flexibility ratios.•The applicability of analytical solution in some engineering projects is correctly evaluated.