Interaction of Segmental Tunnel Linings and Dip-Slip Faults—Tabriz Subway Tunnels
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The article contains interesting numerical studies that well present the impact of discontinuous deformations of the rock mass and its joints on the tunnel lining. Identification of longitudinal and circumferential joints openings in numerical analyzes can be helpful at the stage of support selection and its monitoring. This work is interesting. However, there are some questions and points in the manuscript need to be deliberated. The comments are as follows:
1. In the introduction, it should be mentioned that the presence of a fault causes stress concentration and that the excavation is exposed to additional deformations of the rock mass, which in turn contributes to the compaction of the support, the addition of additional support or the introduction of injection measures (doi.org/10.3390/en15103774);
2. In the second chapter, some information should be added about research on physical models regarding the impact of longitudinal and transverse joints on the segmental support;
3. In the first, second and third tables, the units should be corrected: gr/cm3 should be g/cm3; Gpa - GPa; Kg/cm3 - kg/cm3; In addition, the same SI units should be used;
4. In the subsection 3.2, it should be written what was the value of vertical and horizontal stresses - whether these values were the same and whether additional stresses due to the fault were taken into account;
5. Tables four and five, the multiplication sign of Rotational stiffness and The maximum bending moment at segmental joint should be in the middle of the unit height - this should be corrected;
6. For Figures 6 and 8, it should be added a legend to the colors or describe it in the text; y
7. In the subsection 3.3, it should be compared the values of vertical displacement of the tunnel crown with similar real conditions - are they values that significantly exceed the permissible values or rather they are within the norm;
8. Lines 450, 456 - the multiplication sign should be at the level of the unit;
9. In the fourth chapter, reference should be made to several literature items in which the impact of joints and faults on the stress-strain characters of the tunnel support was examined - so that the results constitute a form of discussion of the results;
10. In the conclusions, one statement should be added regarding the recommendation regarding the selection or reinforcement of the lining at the stage of approaching or crossing the fault.
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript entitled “Interaction of Segmental Tunnel Linings and Dip-Slip Faults - Tabriz Subway Tunnels” submitted to “Applied Sciences” used FDM/FEM numerical method for modeling EPB-TBM segments actions during tunnel boring. In general, the manuscript contains a good topic for the studied region; but there are several requirements that have to be modified. In this regard, the following comments are requested to be addressed by the authors:
C1: Necessity and Novelty
In the "Introduction" section, please provide a clear explanation of the necessity and novelty of your manuscript. It is essential to highlight why this study is significant and how it contributes to the existing literature.
C2: Literature Review
Include a literature review in the "Introduction" section that discusses the seismicity patterns along active faults in Tabriz and the methods that have been developed or applied for the numerical modeling of tunneling. It would be helpful to present this information in the form of a table that demonstrates the advantages and disadvantages of these methods. Towards the end of the section, emphasize the superiority of your work and reiterate its novelty. The following studies could be considered as suggestions to enhance the manuscript:
- Nemati, M.; Derakhshani, R. Short-Term Seismicity Patterns along the Most Active Faults in Iran. Journal of Iberian Geology 2021, 47, 441–459, doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s41513-020-00133-0.
- Zaheri, M.; Ranjbarnia, M.; Dias, D. 3D Numerical Investigation of Segmental Tunnels Performance Crossing a Dip-Slip Fault. Geomechanics and Engineering 2020, 23, doi:10.12989/gae.2020.23.4.351.
- Esmatkhah Irani, A.; Azadi, A.; Nikbakht, M.; Azarafza, M.; Hajialilue Bonab, M.; Behrooz Sarand, F. GIS-Based Settlement Risk Assessment and Its Effect on Surface Structures: A Case Study for the Tabriz Metro—Line 1. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering 2022, 40, doi:10.1007/s10706-022-02201-x.
C3: Limitations, Applicability, and Findings
Add a subsection in the "Discussion" section that clearly articulates the main limitations of your methods, their wider applicability, and the key findings of your study.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
See the comment in the manuscript.
Read and consider the literature on the geology and seismotectonic of the Tabriz area. I find on the web many references
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
See comment in the text
Author Response
Please check the attached file
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
The authors have adequately addressed my comments. I recommend the publication of the revised manuscript.
