A New Technique for Simulation of Tunnel Excavation in a Centrifuge

摘要

A new technique is presented for the simulation in a centrifuge of the excavation and lining of a model tunnel. It involves the use of a polystyrene foam core that is placed tightly inside the tunnel lining and that can be dissolved using an organic solvent. This technique is an improvement over other contemporary meth- ods of modeling tunnel construction, such as reduction of air pres- sure supporting the tunnel lining or gradually draining zinc chloride solution (or some other heavy liquid) from within the lining. The stiffness of the filled tunnel can, approximately, be made to simu- late the parent soil.