Characteristics of pressure waves radiated from tunnel portals in cuttings

• Strong pressure radiation from tunnel exit portals in cuttings is investigated. Differences between 2-D and 3-D strongly influence the outcomes. In some above-ground locations, pressures exceed those portals. Elsewhere, funneling effects of tend to protect locations. Transition found cause oscillatory behavior. The portal a railway cutting investigated determine how consequential disturbances experienced at ground level compare with an portal. As might be expected intuitively, amplitudes below-ground smaller than However, this not true locations close themselves. mixed outcomes are explained by analogy known differences wave propagation cylindrical (2-D) domains more open spherical (3-D) that commonly used model Four considered. It shown cylindrical-like behavior pronounced for deep, narrow its can significant even shallow wide cuttings. main body paper focussed on conditions would level, but one section dedicated assessment track where much greater.