Numerical simulation of shaking table test on utility tunnel under non-uniform earthquake excitation

This paper studies numerical simulation of shaking table test on utility tunnel model subjected to non-uniform earthquake excitation. The experimental work is first introduced with focuses on experimental strategy, structural model and soil, instrumentation and test cases. Followed are numerical modeling details of the shaking table tests, including modeling of shear box, soil–structure interaction and initial stress equilibrium. Numerical results are presented and compared with experimental records in terms of boundary effect of the shear box, soil and structure model acceleration response, soil displacement and structural strain responses. It is found that the utility tunnel has a bending deformation and its acceleration response is larger than the surrounding soil for high shaking intensity. The proposed numerical model is found to be satisfactory in predicting many details of the experimental results. The modeling methodology suggested in this paper is reasonable for representing the shaking table test and it can be used for further analysis.

► We simulate shaking table test of a utility tunnel model under non-uniform earthquake excitation.
► We discuss modeling method of the box-structure–soil system and verify it by comparison with test.
► The proposed modeling methodology is proved to be effective and applicable.