Analysis of the Temporal and Spatial Evolution Behavior of Earth Pressure in the Shield Chamber and the Ground Settlement Behavior During Shield Tunneling in Water-Rich Sand Layers
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Research Highlights and Strategies
- Combined with field and laboratory tests, sediment improvement in water-rich sand layers was optimized.
- The theoretical earth pressure for EPB tunneling in water-rich sand layers at different burial depths was calculated using Terzaghi’s theory.
- The decay pattern of earth pressure during shield tunneling was analyzed using probability and statistics.
- Based on field tests, the impact of earth pressure changes on the ground in water-rich sand layers was investigated.
3. Engineering Case Study, Experimental Process, and Theoretical Model
3.1. Introduction to the Engineering Case Study
Engineering Background
3.2. Experimental Process
3.2.1. On-Site Sediment Improvement Test
3.2.2. Sediment Improvement Lab Test
3.2.3. Shield Tunneling Earth Pressure Control Test
3.3. Theoretical Model
4. Research Results
4.1. Sediment Improvement Research Results
4.1.1. On-Site Test Research Results
4.1.2. Laboratory Test Results
4.2. Temporal and Spatial Evolution Behavior of Earth Pressure in the Shield Chamber
4.2.1. Spatial Evolution Behavior of Earth Pressure in the Shield Chamber
4.2.2. Temporal Evolution Behavior of Earth Pressure in the Shield Chamber
- (1)
- Earth pressure variation behavior
- (2)
- Earth pressure attenuation behavior
4.3. Analysis of Ground Settlement Patterns Under Earth Pressure Control Conditions
- (1)
- Ground settlement behavior
- (2)
- Stability of ground settlement
5. Conclusions
- (1)
- The actual earth pressure is linearly correlated with the shield burial depth. When using a shield machine with a large opening rate in water-rich sand layers, the relationship between actual earth pressure y (bar) and burial depth x (m) is: y = 0.0973x + 0.0909.
- (2)
- Terzaghi-based earth pressure calculations show significant fluctuations at the shallow-to-deep burial transition. The water-soil separate calculation yields a higher earth pressure than the combined calculation. For medium-permeability water-rich fine sand layers, the water-soil combined calculation is used for shallow burials, and the average of both methods is used for deep burials.
- (3)
- During shield stop-restart periods, earth pressure in the chamber decays to varying degrees, with differences in decay rate and duration at different locations. In non-excavation states, reliable tunnel face support can be maintained for a certain period to stabilize the soil.
- (4)
- The earth pressure decay envelope, based on decay patterns, shows an exponential downward trend, with rapid decay initially and slower decay later. This envelope is crucial for controlling the stability of the shield chamber during non-excavation periods.
- (5)
- As the earth pressure control value increases, the pre-consolidation settlement increases while the instantaneous settlement decreases. The pre-consolidation settlement rate increases slightly, and the instantaneous settlement rate decreases. When excavation pressure is below the theoretical value, the instantaneous settlement rate is high, potentially destabilizing surface structures.
- (6)
- In subsequent studies, based on the accurate analysis results of the earth pressure balance in water-rich sand layers presented in this paper, the influence of the additional stress from surrounding buildings on the earth pressure balance can be further considered within an appropriate and safe range.
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Parameter | Unit | Value |
---|---|---|
Permeability coefficient | cm/s | 4 × 10−2 |
Cohesion | kPa | 2.1 |
Internal friction angle | ° | 33.6 |
Coefficient of earth pressure at rest | - | 0.37 |
Silt content | % | 11.6 |
Parameter | Unit | Value |
---|---|---|
Shield length | m | ≈9.1 |
Overall length | m | ≈85 |
Total weight | t | ≈550 |
Structural form | - | Spoke type |
Excavation diameter | mm | 6860 |
Open rate | % | 46 |
Speed range | rpm | 0~3.5 |
Rated torque | kN·m | 7131 |
Front shield diameter | mm | 6830 |
Middle shield diameter | mm | 6820 |
Tail shield diameter | mm | 6810 |
Tail shield gap | mm | 30 |
Maximum thrust | kN | 48,552 |
Maximum driving speed | mm/min | 100 |
Parameter | Unit | Value | |
---|---|---|---|
Appearance | - | Transparent or pale yellow liquid | |
pH value | - | 7.1 | |
Density (25 °C) | g/cm3 | 1.03 | |
Foam Support Force (15 min, 25 °C) | mN/m | 39.5 | |
Half-life | 15 °C | min | 30 |
20 °C | 18 |
Parameter | Unit | Value |
---|---|---|
Methylene blue absorption | g/100 g | 33 |
Colloid index | mL/15 g | 400 |
Swelling ratio | mL/g | 20 |
pH value | - | 8.0~9.5 |
Fineness (200 mesh) | - | 95 |
Soil Pressure Control Value (Bar) | ADF | p |
---|---|---|
2.0~2.1 | −2.89 | 0.047 |
2.2~2.3 | −3.42 | 0.011 |
2.4~2.5 | −3.78 | 0.003 |
2.6~2.7 | −3.60 | 0.006 |
2.8~2.9 | −3.15 | 0.023 |
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Ren, H.; Chen, J.; Wang, H.; He, Y.; Fang, X.; Wang, L. Analysis of the Temporal and Spatial Evolution Behavior of Earth Pressure in the Shield Chamber and the Ground Settlement Behavior During Shield Tunneling in Water-Rich Sand Layers. Buildings 2025, 15, 2935. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162935
Ren H, Chen J, Wang H, He Y, Fang X, Wang L. Analysis of the Temporal and Spatial Evolution Behavior of Earth Pressure in the Shield Chamber and the Ground Settlement Behavior During Shield Tunneling in Water-Rich Sand Layers. Buildings. 2025; 15(16):2935. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162935
Chicago/Turabian StyleRen, Hongzhuan, Jie Chen, Haitao Wang, Yonglin He, Xuancheng Fang, and Liwu Wang. 2025. "Analysis of the Temporal and Spatial Evolution Behavior of Earth Pressure in the Shield Chamber and the Ground Settlement Behavior During Shield Tunneling in Water-Rich Sand Layers" Buildings 15, no. 16: 2935. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162935
APA StyleRen, H., Chen, J., Wang, H., He, Y., Fang, X., & Wang, L. (2025). Analysis of the Temporal and Spatial Evolution Behavior of Earth Pressure in the Shield Chamber and the Ground Settlement Behavior During Shield Tunneling in Water-Rich Sand Layers. Buildings, 15(16), 2935. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162935