Estimation of the excavation damage zone in TBM tunnel using large deformation FE analysis

This paper aims to estimate the range of the excavation damaged zone (EDZ) formation caused by the tunnel boring machine (TBM) advancement through dynamic three-dimensional large deformation finite element analysis. Large deformation analysis based on Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) analysis is used to accurately simulate the behavior during TBM excavation. The analysis model is verified based on numerous test results reported in the literature. The range of the formed EDZ will be suggested as a boundary under various conditions – different tunnel diameter, tunnel depth, and rock type. Moreover, evaluation of the integrity of the tunnel structure during excavation has been carried out. Based on the numerical results, the apparent boundary of the EDZ is shown to within the range of 0.7D (D: tunnel diameter) around the excavation surface. Through series of numerical computation, it is clear that for the rock of with higher rock mass rating (RMR) grade (close to 1st grade), the EDZ around the tunnel tends to increase. The size of the EDZ is found to be direct proportional to the tunnel diameter, whereas the depth of the tunnel is inversely proportional to the magnitude of the EDZ. However, the relationship between the formation of the EDZ and the stability of the tunnel was not found to be consistent. In case where the TBM excavation is carried out in hard rock or rock under high confinement (excavation under greater depth), large range of the EDZ may be formed, but less strain occurs along the excavation surface during excavation and is found to be more stable.