Seminar - Geoff Xu - Yield line analysis of a tunnel lining element using the Monte Carlo Simulation

Wednesday 12 September 2007, 1.10 - 1.50 pm
Civil Engineering Lecture Theatre 3

Abstract:
In the construction of tunnel support systems, the locations of the rock bolts installed may depart from initially designed ones. On the other hand, tunnel linings are subject to various loads including rock mass and randomly falling rocks. The locations of the rock bolts and falling rocks affect the loading capacity of a tunnel lining. For the reasons of safety and economy, mining industries are very keen to know the quantitative effect of these location variations on the loading capacity of a tunnel lining. The investigation aims to quantify the effect by using yield line analysis and Monte Carlo Simulation.

Monte Carlo Simulation combined with yield line analysis is employed to search for the critical yield mechanism of a tunnel lining element subject to a uniform load and a point load and to estimate the collapse load of the lining element. We examine the effects of the location variation of the rock bolts and a randomly falling rock treated as a point load on the collapse load.