Excavation analysis of tunnels with lining using the boundary element method

Author(s)

Francisco Quim

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2010-03-26

Examining board members

Marcio Antonio Ramalho; Persio Leister de Almeida Barros; Humberto Breves Coda

• Advisor: Wilson Sérgio Venturini

Abstract

In this work, an isoparametric boundary element method (BEM) formulation with approximation of any order was developed to the analysis of stiffened two-based on local stiffness corrections, which are made using an additional integral written in terms of initial stresses, applied over the areas close to stiffeners. Besides the usual displacement integral equations the presented formulation also requires integral equations of the normal forces and the bending moments written for points defined along the stiffener axis. By using Lagrange polynomials, the generalization of the shape function order used to approximate the boundary values and the geometry was made. Excavations in infinite media or large domains are engineering applications in which the BEM is efficient due to its accuracy, reliable results and also to require coarser discretizations, always leading to smaller algebraic systems when compared to other methods. Thereafter, the presented formulation can simulate successfully the inclusion of stiffeners into two-dimensional domains, such as the analysis of piles embedded in a 2-D solids or lined tunnels. It was also developed a formulation to consider the delay to install tunnel linings. (AU)