Variation of Earth Pressure Acting on the Cut-and-Cover Tunnel Lining due to Geotextile Mat Reinforcement

Excessive earth pressure is one of the major mechanical factors in the deformation and damage of Cut-and-Cover Tunnel lining in shallow tunnels and portals of mountain tunnels (Kim, 2000). Excessive earth pressure may be attributed to insufficient compaction and consolidation of backfill material due to self-weight, precipitation and vibration caused by traffic (Komiya et al., 2000; Taylor et al., 1984; Yoo, 1997). Even though there were a lot of tests performed to determine the earth pressure acting on the tunnel lining, unfortunately there were almost no case histories of studies performed to determine remedial measures that reduce differential settlement and excessive earth pressure. In this study the installation of geotextile mat was selected to reduce the differential settlement and excessive earth pressure acting on the cut-and-cover tunnel lining. In order to determine settlement and earth pressure reduction effect (reinforcement effect) of geotextile mat reinforcement, laboratory tunnel model tests were performed. This study was limited to the modeling of rigid circular cut-and-cover tunnel constructed at a depth of in loose sandy ground and subjected to a vibration frequency of 100 Hz. Model tests with varying soil cover, mat reinforcement scheme and slope roughness were performed to determine the most effective mat reinforcement scheme. Slope roughness was adjusted by attaching sandpaper #100, #400 and acetate on the cut slope surface. Mat reinforcement effect of each mat reinforcement scheme were presented by the comparison of earth pressure obtained from the unreinforced and mat reinforced model tests. Soil settlement reduction was analyzed and presented using the Picture Analysis Method (Park, 2003).