Mechanism for buckling of shield tunnel linings under hydrostatic pressure

In this paper, the effects of segmental joints, dimensions of segments, and ground conditions on buckling of the shield tunnel linings under hydrostatic pressure are studied by analytical and numerical analysis. The results show that radial joints have significant impacts on the buckling behavior: the shield tunnel linings with flexible joints buckles in a single wave mode in the vicinity of K joint, while those with rigid joints buckles in a multi-wave mode around the linings. Hydrostatic buckling strength is found to increase with the flexural rigidity of the radial joint and the thickness of segment increasing. This study shows that ground support increases the buckling strength dramatically, while earth pressure reduces the capacity to resist hydrostatic buckling. The tunnel linings during construction are found to be easier to buckle than that during operation. Meanwhile, the buckling of tunnel linings is studied by theoretical analysis of buried tube buckling.