The ground reaction curve of underwater tunnels considering seepage forces

When a tunnel is excavated below groundwater table, the groundwater flows into the excavated wall of tunnel and seepage forces are acting on the tunnel wall. Such seepage forces significantly affect the ground reaction curve which is defined as the relationship between internal pressure and radial displacement of tunnel wall. In this paper, seepage forces arising from the ground water flow into a tunnel were estimated quantitatively. Magnitude of seepage forces was estimated based on hydraulic gradient distribution around tunnel. Using these results, the theoretical solutions of ground reaction curve with consideration of seepage forces under steady-state flow were derived. A no-support condition was taken into account. The theoretical solution derived in this study was validated by numerical analysis. The changes in the ground reaction curve according to various ground and groundwater conditions were investigated. Based on the results, the application limit of theoretical solution was suggested.