Soil-Interaction of Intake Pressure Tunnels under Ground Strength Reduction Conditions due to Cracking of the Lining (Case study: Dasht-e-Abbas intake pressure tunnel)

The induced cracks on the concrete lining of the intake pressure tunnels may cause the water seep into the surrounding media leading to develop a hydro pressure on the external surface of the lining. In the common design practice, the lining can be designed to tolerate with this pressure using the Schleiss method. However, when the tunnel is constructed above the underground water, the seepage may cause the strength of the ground to reduce the amount of which may be considerable in some water sensible soils. In this paper, the finite element package of PLAXIS has been used to do the non-linear analysis of an intake pressure tunnel located inside a mudstone soil. The stress-strain model for the lining is taken linear elastic and for the soil is the elasto-plastic Mohre-Columb. The analysis is carried out by developing a 2D numerical model for an area of 100X73 meters. Consequently, the optimum lining is designed while the soil strength reduction occurs due to the seepage of water through the cracks in the lining. The results of numerical analysis are compared with that obtained from Schleiss common method of designing. Finally, a series of parametric studies are carried out and some important points and comments are suggested for designing of intake pressure tunnels facing the same condition.