Effect of peak ground parameters on the nonlinear seismic response of long lined tunnels

• Published in: Tunnelling and underground space technology 2020-01, Vol.95, p.103175, Article 103175
• Main Authors: Huang, Jingqi, Zhao, Xu, Zhao, Mi, Du, Xiuli, Wang, Yuan, Zhang, Chengming, Zhang, Chiyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acceleration; Computer simulation; Deposition; Dynamic response; Earthquake accelerograms; Earthquake damage; Earthquake loads; Earthquake response; Earthquakes; Incident angles; Nonlinear response; P waves; Peak ground parameters; Seismic analysis; Seismic engineering; Seismic response; Tunnels; Underground construction
• ISSN: 0886-7798; 1878-4364
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tust.2019.103175

•A 3-D obliquely incident method for P waves was developed.•Nonlinear seismic response of a tunnel under 40 artificial accelerograms with different incident angles is analyzed.•PGV has incremental effect on the seismic response of tunnels under earthquake P waves with large incident angles.•PGA intends to increase the response of tunnels subjected to earthquake P waves with small incident angles.•PGD has little effect on the seismic response of tunnels. The response mechanism of tunnels under earthquake loads is a critical issue in tunnels located in seismically active regions. This study aims to investigate the seismic response and damage sensitivity of tunnels under earthquake motions with different peak ground acceleration, velocity and displacement (PGA, PGV and PGD). Based on the design acceleration response spectrum (ARS), four groups of total 40 artificial accelerograms are synthesized with specified PGA, PGV and PGD. In addition, for considering the wave travelling effect on the tunnel axial response, an obliquely incident method for P waves is developed by using the equivalent nodal force method. Then, the nonlinear response of tunnels subjected to artificial accelerograms with different incident angles are simulated, respectively. The numerical results indicate that the PGV and PGA have accretion effect on the seismic response of the tunnel. However, the impact of PGD on the tunnel earthquake response is less evident. The PGV has obvious incremental effect on the dynamic response of tunnels subjected to earthquake P waves with large incident angles. Compared with PGV, the PGA intends to increase the response of tunnels significantly under P waves with small incident angles. Thus, it is important to take the PGA and PGV into account during seismic analysis and design for tunnels.