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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Earth Sci., 20 September 2022
Sec. Geohazards and Georisks
This article is part of the Research Topic Geological Disasters in Deep Engineering Mechanism, Warning and Risk mitigation View all 39 articles

Analytical solution of mechanical response in cold region tunnels under transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle induced by unidirectional freeze–thaw damage

Zhitao LvZhitao LvMingchao WuMingchao WuFaming Huang
Faming Huang*Yi CaiYi Cai
  • School of Infrastructure Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

During the operation stage of cold region tunnels, the isotropic surrounding rock in a freeze–thaw circle suffers long-term unidirectional freeze–thaw cycles and gradually transforms into transversely isotropic material, which induces the variation of stress and displacement distribution of cold region tunnels. Aimed at this phenomenon, an analytical solution of mechanical response in cold region tunnels under transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circles induced by unidirectional freeze–thaw damage is proposed. The analytical solution is derived under two different states of the freeze–thaw circle: 1) transversely isotropic and unfrozen state (state TU) and 2) transversely isotropic and frozen state (state TF). In addition, the stress distribution in the lining and surrounding rock with a transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle is analyzed. The transformation of the surrounding rock in a freeze–thaw circle from isotropic material into transversely isotropic material leads to the increase of stress in the lining, especially for a significant increase under state TF. Finally, the influence of the deterioration coefficient and the degree of anisotropy on the stress distribution in the lining is analyzed. The stress in the lining increases linearly as the deterioration coefficient decreases, while it increases nonlinearly as the degree of anisotropy decreases. The smaller the degree of anisotropy is, the greater the increase rate of the stress is. Moreover, the increase of stress with deterioration coefficient and degree of anisotropy under state TF is much greater than that under state TU. Both deterioration coefficient and degree of anisotropy decrease from 1.0 with increasing unidirectional freeze–thaw cycles suffered by surrounding rock, and, thus, induce the increase of stresses in the lining. In addition, the deterioration coefficient has a greater influence than the degree of anisotropy on the stress in the lining.

Introduction

With the economic growth and increasing traffic demand, more and more cold region tunnels are constructed in cold areas such as Alaska, north Japan, Russia, and Norway, especially in Tibet Plateau and north China. However, most cold region tunnels suffer destructive and troublesome frost damage induced by special climate and geological environment, which even leads to stability and safety problems (Huang et al., 2020, 2022).

The temperature field of cold region tunnels varies significantly above and below the freezing point every year due to the peculiar climate of tunnel sites (Li et al., 2015; Yu et al., 2018), resulting in the freezing and thawing of surrounding rock and groundwater, and, thus, induces various kinds of frost damages. As the temperature field is a basis for frost resisting, plenty of model experiments were performed to investigate the temperature evolution of cold region tunnels and the influence of factors such as airflow temperature (Zeng et al., 2017), inlet wind velocity (Liu L. et al., 2018), and construction disturbance (Zhang et al., 2018). Moreover, numerical models coupled the heat convection and heat conduction between airflow and surrounding rock were proposed to forecast the temperature evolution of cold region tunnels (Lai et al., 2005; Tan et al., 2014). Numerical models involving the influence of train-induced ventilation on temperature evolution were also established (Zhou et al., 2016).

Freeze proofing is a type of measure to resist frost damage, and the thermal insulation layer has currently been the most popular and effective method in freeze proofing. An optimization method to design a thermal insulation layer has been found by Li et al. (2017) based on a coupled heat-water numerical model. Feng et al. (2016) conducted physical modelling experiments in the Yuximolegai tunnel and investigated the reliability of the thermal insulation layer design. Li et al. (2020) analyzed the capacity degradation of thermal insulation materials after moisture absorption and complete freezing in cold region tunnels. There are also applications of other freeze-proofing methods, such as the ground heat exchanger system utilizing heat in deeper surrounding rock (Zhang et al., 2016, 2017; Chang et al., 2022).

Furthermore, the stress distribution and stability of cold region tunnels are significantly influenced by the temperature evolution and freezing of surrounding rock and groundwater. At present, stability analysis on cold region tunnels is mostly based on the freeze–thaw circle frost heave model first proposed by Lai et al. (2000). This model holds that frost heaving force is induced by the frost heave of the freeze–thaw circle, and solutions based on this model can be categorized into three kinds according to their assumptions. The first kind assumes the frost heave displacement mode of the freeze–thaw circle. For example, Gao et al. (2012) derived a solution assuming that displacement does not occur at the center line of the freeze–thaw circle when frost heave generates. The second kind of solution assumes isotropic frost heave in the freeze–thaw circle. According to this assumption, a visco-elastic stress solution (Lai et al., 2000) and an elasto-plastic stress solution (Feng et al., 2014) on cold region tunnels when the surrounding rock freezes have been developed. In addition, an elastic stress solution under non-axisymmetric stress has been derived by Feng et al. (2017), assuming isotropic frost heave in cold region tunnels. The third kind of solution assumes that the frost heave of the freeze–thaw circle is anisotropic. For example, Xia et al. (2018) proved the transversely isotropic frost heave of the freeze–thaw circle through frost heave experiments on rock and then established an elastic stress solution which considered this specific frost heaving property of surrounding rock in cold region tunnels. On the basis of the experimental study and elastic solution of Xia et al., Lv et al. (2019) further derived an elasto-plastic solution of stress with the same assumption of transversely isotropic frost heave in cold region tunnels and found a remarkable influence of transversely isotropic frost heave on stress distribution. Feng et al. (2019) established a similar elasto-plastic solution with a different yield criterion. Moreover, Liu W. et al. (2018) built an elasto-plastic solution of stress on cold region tunnels taking the coupling influence of anisotropic frost heaving property of surrounding rock, support strength, and support time into consideration.

However, most current stress solutions of cold region tunnels regard the mechanical properties of surrounding rock as invariant. In fact, surrounding rock suffers freeze–thaw cycles and deteriorates during the operation stage of cold region tunnels. Ding et al. (2020) investigated the deterioration in mechanical properties with freeze–thaw cycles in a tight sandstone and studied changes to its pore structure using nuclear magnetic resonance technology. Huang et al. (2022a, b) studied the pore structure change of red sandstone under freeze–thaw cycles by mercury intrusion porosimetry and found that both the uniaxial compressive strength and the triaxial compressive strength decrease due to the growth of macropores. Liu et al. (2020) investigated the effect of water saturation on the physico-mechanical properties of clay-bearing rock under freeze–thaw by testing the uniaxial compressive strength and P-wave velocity. Moreover, the damage model and damage constitutive model of rock to describe its deterioration under freeze–thaw action were built (Huang et al., 2021; Meng et al., 2021; Feng et al., 2022). Hence, the mechanical properties of rock in freeze–thaw circles evolve continuously as the suffered freeze–thaw cycles increase. Liu et al. (2019) developed a frost heaving force solution concerning the combined influence of decreasing elastic modulus and increasing void ratio of rock in a freeze–thaw circle resulting from the freeze–thaw action. In addition to the reducing mechanical parameters, experiments show that isotropic rocks transform into transversely isotropic materials under long-term unidirectional freeze–thaw action (Nakamura et al., 2009, 2012; Murton et al., 2016; Xia et al., 2018). When cold air in winter or hot air in summer flows into cold region tunnels, heat mainly transfers along the radial direction with the main temperature gradient in the radial direction, and the surrounding rock in the freeze–thaw circle suffers unidirectional freeze–thaw action. Consequently, the isotropic rock in the freeze–thaw circle gradually transforms into transversely isotropic material as the result of long-term unidirectional freeze–thaw action, and the aforementioned solutions are inapplicable for transversely isotropic surrounding rock.

Therefore, in this study, an analytical solution of the mechanical response of cold region tunnels with a transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle induced by unidirectional freeze–thaw damage is established. The analytical solution is derived under two different states of the freeze–thaw circle: 1) transversely isotropic and unfrozen state and 2) transversely isotropic and frozen state. Furthermore, based on the solutions, the stress field in the lining and surrounding rock with a transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle is analyzed, and the influence of the deterioration coefficient and the degree of anisotropy on the mechanical response of cold region tunnels is analyzed.

Mechanical model of cold region tunnels under a transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle

Transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle induced by unidirectional freeze–thaw damage

Lots of experiments show that layered cracks perpendicular to the temperature gradient direction will generate in a rock under long-term unidirectional freeze–thaw action (Nakamura et al., 2009, 2012; Murton et al., 2016; Xia et al., 2018), as shown in Figure 1. When the rock with layered cracks is considered a continuous medium, it is similar to the stratified rock in macro-mechanical properties and can be regarded as transversely isotropic material. As illustrated in Figure 2, any plane perpendicular to the temperature gradient direction is the plane of isotropy, and any line parallel to the temperature gradient direction is the axis of transverse isotropy. Therefore, isotropic rocks will gradually transform into transversely isotropic materials under unidirectional freeze–thaw conditions.

FIGURE 1
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FIGURE 1. Crack distribution in rock induced by unidirectional freeze–thaw damage.

FIGURE 2
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FIGURE 2. Transverse isotropy of rock induced by unidirectional freeze–thaw damage.

As illustrated in Figure 3, when the cold air in winter or the hot air in summer flows into cold region tunnels, heat mainly transfers along the radial direction with a prime temperature gradient in the radial direction, and the temperature gradient along the circumferential or axial direction is negligible (Lai et al., 2002; Zhang et al., 2002). Hence, the surrounding rock in freeze–thaw circles suffers unidirectional freeze–thaw action every year. Thus, the mechanical properties of rock in freeze–thaw circles gradually transform into transverse isotropy. As shown in Figure 4, the radial direction, namely, the temperature gradient direction, is the axis of transverse isotropy, and the cylindrical surface composed of the axial direction and circumferential direction, which is perpendicular to the radial direction, is the plane of isotropy.

FIGURE 3
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FIGURE 3. Temperature gradient in cold region tunnels.

FIGURE 4
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FIGURE 4. Transverse isotropy of freeze–thaw circle in cold region tunnels.

Mechanical model of cold region tunnels

Figure 5 illustrates the mechanical model of the stress and deformation response of cold region tunnels with transversely isotropic rock in freeze–thaw circles induced by unidirectional freeze–thaw damage. As displayed in Figure 5, in the initial state, when the construction of the tunnel completes, the surrounding rock is isotropic; after entering the cold season, the surrounding rock in the freeze–thaw circle freezes gradually, and, thus, the freeze–thaw circle is isotropic and frozen, which can be referred to as state F. During the operation of the tunnel, the surrounding rock in the freeze–thaw circle gradually transform into transversely isotropic material due to the unidirectional freeze–thaw damage. The stress and displacement in cold region tunnels will significantly change with the transformation of the freeze–thaw circle from isotropic material to transversely isotropic material. In the warm season, the freeze–thaw circle is transversely isotropic and unfrozen, which can be referred to as state TU; in the cold season, the freeze–thaw circle is transversely isotropic and frozen, which can be referred to as state TF, as shown in Figure 5. In Figure 5, zone I is the lining, and zone V is isotropic and unfrozen surrounding rock. Zone II is the isotropic and frozen surrounding rock in state F; zone III is the transversely isotropic and unfrozen surrounding rock in state TU; and zone IV is the transversely isotropic and frozen surrounding rock in state TF.

FIGURE 5
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FIGURE 5. Mechanical model of cold region tunnels.

Moreover, in Figure 5, r0 and r1 represent the internal and external radius of lining, respectively; rf represents the external radius of the freeze–thaw circle; R0 extends somewhere far away. Pl is the radial stress act on the lining, and Pf represents the radial stress act on the interface between freeze–thaw circle and zone V. P0 represent the initial ground stress.

The compressive stress, strain, and displacement are regarded as positive. To obtain the analytical solution of mechanical response under a transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle, assumptions are introduced as follows:

(1) The cross-section of cold region tunnels is approximated as a circle.

(2) The plane strain condition is introduced.

(3) The surrounding rock and lining are considered as continuous, homogeneous, and elastic materials in each zone.

(4) The lining and the surrounding rock in zones II and V are isotropic material, whereas the surrounding rock in zones III and IV are transversely isotropic material induced by the unidirectional freeze–thaw damage.

Solution of mechanical response in cold region tunnels with a transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle

Solution of mechanical response in cold region tunnels under state TU

Stress and displacement in a transversely isotropic and unfrozen freeze–thaw circle (zone III)

The constitutive relations of a transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle in zone III can be written as (Lekhnitskii, 1981) follows:

{εr=a11σr+a12σθ+a13σzεθ=a12σr+a22σθ+a23σzεz=a13σr+a23σθ+a33σz,(1)

where ε and σ are the strain and stress, respectively; the subscript r, θ, and z refer to the radial, circumferential, and axial direction; a11=1Er, a12=a13=μθrEr, a22=a33=1Eθ, and a23=μθzEθ; Er is Young’s modulus along the radial direction; Eθ is Young’s modulus in the isotropic cylindrical surface; μθr is the Poisson’s ratio defining strain induced in the isotropic surface by stress applied in the radial direction; and μθz is the Poisson’s ratio defining strain induced in the isotropic surface by stress applied in the surface.

Under the plane strain condition, εz=0. Hence, σz can be acquired from Eq. 1:

σz=1a33(a13σr+a23σθ).(2)

Substituting Eq. 2 into Eq. 1, εr and εθ can be obtained as follows:

{εr=β11σr+β12σθεθ=β12σr+β22σθ,(3)

where βij=aijai3a33aj3, (i, j= 1, 2).

According to the elasticity, the geometric equations and the compatibility condition of the axisymmetric problem are as follows:

εr=durdr, εθ=urr,(4a)
εr=ddr(rεθ),(4b)

where ur represents the displacement in the radial direction.

Moreover, the equilibrium equation of the axisymmetric problem is

rdσrdr+σrσθ=0.(5)

Combining Eqs 3, 4b, and 5, the following equation can be acquired:

r2d2σrdr2+3rdσrdr(β11β221)σr=0.(6)

The general solution of Eq. 6 is

σr=A1rn1+B1r(n+1),(7)

where A1 and B1 are undetermined integral constants, and n=β11β22.

The stress boundary conditions of zone III are:

{σrIII=Pl(r=rl)σrIII=Pf(r=rf),(8)

where the superscript III represents zone III. In addition, the following superscripts I, II, IV, and V represent zones I, II, IV, and V, respectively.

Considering Eqs 7 and 8, A1 and B1 can be obtained:

{A1=Plrln+1Pfrfn+1rl2nrf2nB1=Pfrfn+1rl2nPlrln+1rf2nrl2nrf2n.(9)

Combining Eqs 9, 7, and 5, σr and σθ in zone III can be acquired:

{σrIII=Plrln+1Pfrfn+1rl2nrf2nrn1+Pfrfn+1rl2nPlrln+1rf2nrl2nrf2nr(n+1)σθIII=nPlrln+1Pfrfn+1rl2nrf2nrn1nPfrfn+1rl2nPlrln+1rf2nrl2nrf2nr(n+1).(10)

Plugging Eqs 13, εθ of zone III is acquired:

εθIII=(β12+nβ22)Plrln+1Pfrfn+1rl2nrf2nrn1+(β12nβ22)Pfrfn+1rl2nPlrln+1rf2nrl2nrf2nr(n+1).(11)

Plugging Eq. 11 to Eq. 4a, ur of zone III is acquired:

urIII=(β12+nβ22)Plrln+1Pfrfn+1rl2nrf2nrn+(β12nβ22)Pfrfn+1rl2nPlrln+1rf2nrl2nrf2nrn.(12)

Stress and displacement in isotropic and unfrozen zone V and lining

According to the solution upon axisymmetric problem (Yu, 2000), the displacement and stress in isotropic and unfrozen zone V under the action of Pf at r=rf and P0 at r=R0 are as follows:

urV=1+μuEurf2r(P0Pf),(13)
{σrV=P0(1rf2r2)+Pfrf2r2σθV=P0(1rf2r2)Pfrf2r2,(14)

where Eu and μu refer to Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the isotropic and unfrozen zone V, respectively.

In addition, according to the solution upon axisymmetric problem (Yu, 2000), the displacement and stress in lining (zone I) under the action of Pl at r=rl are as follows:

urI=1+μlEl(12μl)rl2r2+rl2r02r(rl2r02)Pl,(15)
{σrI=rl2(r2r02)(rl2r02)r2PlσθI=rl2(r02+r2)(rl2r02)r2Pl,(16)

where El and μl refer to Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of lining, respectively.

Continuity conditions and mechanical response solution

The continuity conditions of displacement at interfaces r=rl and r=rf are as follows:

urI=urIII(r=rl),(17a)
urIII=urV(r=rf).(17b)

The undetermined quantities are Pl and Pf, and they can be obtained by substituting Eqs 12, 13, and 15 to Eq. 17 as follows:

Pl=C21+μuEuP0C2C3+[β12C1+1+μuEu][β12+C11+μlEl(12μl)rl2+r02(rl2r02)],(18a)
Pf=1+μuEuP0[β12+C11+μlEl(12μl)rl2+r02(rl2r02)]C2C3+[β12C1+1+μuEu][β12+C11+μlEl(12μl)rl2+r02(rl2r02)],(18b)

where C1=nβ22(rl2n+rf2n)rl2nrf2n, C2=2nβ22rfn+1rln1rl2nrf2n, and C3=2nβ22rln+1rfn1rl2nrf2n.

Finally, substituting the value of Pl and Pf into Eqs 15 and 16, the stress and displacement response in the lining under state TU can be acquired. Similarly, substituting Pl and Pf into Eqs 13 and 14, the stress and displacement response in the freeze–thaw circle under state TU can also be acquired.

Solution of the mechanical response in cold region tunnels under state TF

Stress and displacement in a transversely isotropic and frozen freeze–thaw circle (zone IV)

In the frozen zone IV, the total strain of surrounding rock consists of the strain resulting from local stress and the frost heaving strain. Therefore, the constitutive relations of the transversely isotropic and frozen rock in the freeze–thaw circle in zone IV are as follows:

{εr=a11σr+a12σθ+a13σzεrfεθ=a12σr+a22σθ+a23σzεθfεz=a13σr+a23σθ+a33σzεzf,(19)

where εrf, εθf, and εzf represent the frost heaving strains along the radial, circumferential, and axial directions, respectively; the meanings of the other symbols are the same as those in section 3.1, whereas the related parameters should take the values under the frozen state. Moreover, εrf, εθf, and εzf can be expressed by volumetric frost heaving strain εvf (Xia et al., 2018; Lv et al., 2019):

{εrf=kk+2εvfεθf=εzf=1k+2εvf,(20)

where ϵrf, and k is the anisotropic frost heave coefficient defined as the ratio of ϵrf to ϵθf.

Under the plane strain condition, εz=0. Hence, σz can be acquired from Eq. 19:

σz=1a33(a13σr+a23σθεθf).(21)

Substituting Eq. 21 into Eq. 19, εr and εθ can be obtained:

{εr=β11σr+β12σθ+β1εθfεθ=β12σr+β22σθ+β2εθf,(22)

where βij=aijai3a33aj3, (i, j= 1, 2); β1=a13a33k, and β2=a23a331.

Combining Eqs 22, 4b, and 5, the following equation can be acquired:

r2d2σrdr2+3rdσrdr(β11β221)σr=β1β2β22εθf.(23)

The general solution of Eq. 23 can be obtained as follows:

σr=A2rn1+B2r(n+1)β1β2β11β22εθf,(24)

where A2 and B2 are undetermined integral constants, and n=β11β22.

The stress boundary conditions of zone IV are

{σrIV=Pl(r=rl)σrIV=Pf(r=rf).(25)

Plugging Eq. 24 into Eq. 25, A2 and B2 are acquired:

{A2=Plrln+1Pfrfn+1+β1β2β11β22εθf(rln+1rfn+1)rl2nrf2nB2=Pfrfn+1rl2nPlrln+1rf2n+β1β2β11β22εθf(rl2nrfn+1rln+1rf2n)rl2nrf2n.(26)

Combining Eqs 26, 24, and 5, σθ in zone IV can be obtained:

σθIV=nA2rn1nB2r(n+1)β1β2β11β22εθf.(27)

Substituting Eqs 27 and 24 into Eq. 22, εθ in zone IV can be obtained. Then, substituting εθ into Eq. 4a, ur in zone IV can be obtained:

urIV=(β12+nβ22)A2rn+(β12nβ22)B2rnβ1β2β11β22εθf(β12+β22)r+β2εθfr.(28)

Continuity conditions and mechanical response solution

The continuity conditions of displacement at interfaces r=r1, r=rf are as follows:

urI=urIV(r=rl),(29a)
urIV=urV(r=rf),(29b)

The stress and displacement in isotropic and unfrozen zone V and lining (zone I) under state TF are the same as those given in Eqs 1316, except that Pl and Pf should take the values under state TF. The undetermined quantities are Pl and Pf, and they can be obtained through plugging Eqs 13, 15, and 28 into Eq. 29:

Pl=1+μuEuC2P0β1β2β11β22εθf[(C1C2β22)(β12C1+1+μuEu)+C2(C3C1β22)]β2εθf[C2+(β12C1+1+μuEu)][C2C3+(β12+C11+μlEl(12μl)rl2+r02(rl2r02))(β12C1+1+μuEu)],(30a)
Pf=(β12+C11+μlEl(12μl)rl2+r02(rl2r02))C2Pl+β1β2β11β22εθf(C1C2β22)+β2εθfC2,(30b)

where C1, C2, and C3 are the same as those in section 3.1 except that the related parameters should take the values under the frozen state.

Finally, substituting the value of Pl and Pf into the corresponding formulas, the stress and displacement in the lining and freeze–thaw circle under state TF can be acquired.

Solution of stress and displacement in cold region tunnels under initial state and state F

To analyze the effect of transversely isotropic rock in freeze–thaw circles on the mechanical response of cold region tunnels, comparisons among the initial state, state F, state TU, and state TF are necessary. Hence, the solutions of stress and displacement in cold region tunnels under initial state and state F are also provided here.

The stress and displacement in the lining (zone I) under the initial state are the same as those given in Eqs 15 and 16, except that Pl should take the value under the initial state. In addition, according to the solution to the axisymmetric problem (Yu, 2000), the radial displacement and stress in isotropic and unfrozen zone V under the action of Pl at r=rl and P0 at r=R0 are acquired:

urV=1+μuEurl2r(P0Pl),(31)
{σrV=P0(1r12r2)+Plrl2r2σθV=P0(1+rl2r2)Plrl2r2.(32)

The displacement continuity conditions at interface r=rl is

urI=urV(r=rl).(33)

The undetermined quantity is Pl, and it is obtained through plugging Eqs 15 and 31 into Eq. 33 as follows:

Pl=1+μuEuP01+μlEl(12μl)rl2+r02rl2r02+1+μuEu,(34)

Finally, substituting the value of Pl into the corresponding formulas, the stress and displacement of lining and surrounding rock under the initial state can be acquired.

Furthermore, the stress and displacement of isotropic and unfrozen zone V and lining (zone I) under state F are the same as those given in Eqs 1316, except that Pl and Pf should take the values under state F. The solutions of Pl and Pf under state F have been proposed by Lv et al. (2019), namely, Eq. 38 or Eq. 39 in the study by Lv et al. (2019). In addition, the solutions of stress and displacement in the isotropic and frozen zone II under state F have also been proposed by Lv et al. (2019), namely, Eqs 34 and 35 in the study by Lv et al. (2019).

Case study

Stress distribution in the lining and surrounding rock

The proposed analytical solutions of stress and displacement under states TU and TF are extensions of the stress analysis on cold region tunnels involving transversely isotropic rock in freeze–thaw circle induced by unidirectional freeze–thaw damage. The engineering case in the study by Lv et al. (2019) can be referred to analyze the effect of a transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circles on the mechanical response of cold region tunnels. The related parameters are presented in Table 1, and Ef and μf in Table 1 are Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the isotropic and frozen surrounding rock (zone II).

TABLE 1
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TABLE 1. Parameters of the section K105+785 in the cold region tunnel.

During the operation stage of the cold region tunnel, the surrounding rock in the freeze–thaw circle gradually transforms to the transversely isotropic material resulting from unidirectional freeze–thaw damage, and Er and Eθ also gradually decreases as the deterioration. To describe the deterioration effect of freeze–thaw damage on surrounding rock, the deterioration coefficient kd is defined as Eθ/Eu under state TU or Eθ/Ef under state TF. Moreover, the degree of anisotropy ka is defined as Er/Eθ to describe the evolution of the transverse isotropy. Both kd and ka decrease from 1.0 with the increasing freeze–thaw cycles. In addition, the variation of Poisson’s ratio is not considered.

Under the initial state, the radial stress act on the lining Pl calculated by the solution under the initial state is 0.69 MPa. Furthermore, under state TU, if Er=Eθ=Eu and μθr=μθz=μu are assumed, namely, kd=1.0 and ka=1.0, state TU transforms to the initial state. In this special case, Pl calculated by the solution under state TU is 0.69 MPa. The special case that Er=Eθ=Eu and μθr=μθz=μu under state TU is identical to the initial state, and the results of Pl calculated by the two abovementioned different solutions are the same, thus, the correctness of the derivation processes of the solution under state TU can be verified.

Under state F, Pl calculated by the solution under state F is 1.07 MPa. Moreover, under state TF, if Er=Eθ=Ef and μθr=μθz=μf are assumed, namely, kd=1.0 and ka=1.0, state TF transforms to state F. In this special case, Pl calculated by the solution under state TF is 1.08 MPa. The special case that Er=Eθ=Ef and μθr=μθz=μf under state TF is identical to state F, and the results of Pl calculated by the solutions under state F and state TF are the same, which verifies the correctness of the derivation processes of the solution under state TF.

To study the mechanical response of cold region tunnels under a transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle, the stress distribution in lining and surrounding rock in the case that kd=0.7 and ka=0.7 under states TU and TF are shown in Figures 69. Under state TF, Eθ=kdEf, Er=kaEθ, and μθr=μθz=μf. The other parameters are included in Table 1. To demonstrate the influence of the transverse isotropy of the freeze–thaw circle, the stress distribution under the initial state and state F are also exhibited in Figures 69.

FIGURE 6
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FIGURE 6. Stress of lining under initial state and state TU.

FIGURE 7
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FIGURE 7. Stress of surrounding rock under initial state and state TU.

FIGURE 8
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FIGURE 8. Stress of lining under state F and state TF.

FIGURE 9
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FIGURE 9. Stress of surrounding rock under state F and state TF.

The surrounding rock is unfrozen under the initial state and state TU. The stress distribution in the lining is similar under these two states, whereas the radial and circumferential stress in the lining increase by about 8% when the surrounding rock in the freeze–thaw circle transforms from isotropic material into transversely isotropic material, as displayed in Figure 6. In addition, the radial stress in surrounding rock under state TU is gently less than that under the initial state, and the greatest difference occurs at the outer interface of the freeze–thaw circle, as displayed in Figure 7. Phenomenon of discontinuity generates in the circumferential stress of surrounding rock under state TU, and the circumferential stress in the freeze–thaw circle under state TU is significantly less than that under the initial state.

The surrounding rock in the freeze–thaw circle is frozen under states F and TF. The stress in the lining under state TF significantly increases to be greater than two times of that under state F when the surrounding rock in the freeze–thaw circle transforms from isotropic material into transversely isotropic material, as illustrated in Figure 8. For example, the radial stress at the outer interface of the lining is 1.07 MPa under state F, while it increases to 2.35 MPa under state TF. Moreover, the difference of radial stress in surrounding rock under states F and TF is slight, and the circumferential stress in the freeze–thaw circle under state TF is less than that under state F, as illustrated in Figure 9.

Therefore, the transformation of surrounding rock in the freeze–thaw circle from isotropic material into transversely isotropic material adversely affects the stress distribution in the lining, especially for state TF, under which the stress in the lining increases significantly. Hence, the influence of the transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle should be considered to maintain the long-term stability of cold region tunnels.

Analysis of influencing factors

The abovementioned engineering case can be considered to research the effect of the deterioration coefficient kd and the degree of anisotropy ka on the mechanical response of cold region tunnels. In the base condition, values of kd=0.7 and ka=0.7 are taken, and values of other parameters are listed in Table 1. Change the value of kd or ka in the base condition to study their influences.

Figures 10 and 11 show the influence of the deterioration coefficient kd on the stress in the lining under states TU and TF, respectively. The stress in the lining increases uniformly for both states TU and TF as the decrease of kd, whereas the increase of stress under state TF is much greater. For example, as kd decreases from 1.0 to 0.55, the radial stress at outer interface of the lining increases by 10% under state TU, while it increases by 80% under state TF.

FIGURE 10
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FIGURE 10. Influence of deterioration coefficient kd under state TU.

FIGURE 11
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FIGURE 11. Influence of deterioration coefficient kd under state TF.

Moreover, Figure 12 shows the variation of the pressure act on the lining Pl with kd and ka. As kd decreases from 1.0 to 0.55, Pl linearly increases from 1.56 to 2.84 MPa under state TF and it increases from 0.70 to 0.77 MPa under state TU. kd has greater influence on Pl under state TF. kd decreases from 1.0 as unidirectional freeze–thaw cycles suffered by surrounding rock increases, and, thus, induces the increase of the radial and circumferential stresses in the lining. Furthermore, ka has much greater influence on Pl under state TF than that under state TU. As ka decreases from 1.0 to 0.55, the radial stress at outer interface of the lining increases by 5% under state TU, while it increases by 55% under state TF. ka decreases from 1.0 as unidirectional freeze–thaw cycles suffered by surrounding rock increases, and thus induces the increase of the radial and circumferential stresses in the lining.

FIGURE 12
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FIGURE 12. Influence of deterioration coefficient kd and degree of anisotropy ka on Pl.

Figures 13 and 14 show the influence of the degree of anisotropy ka on the stress in the lining under states TU and TF, respectively. The stress in the lining increases nonlinearly for both states TU and TF as the decrease of ka. The smaller the ka is, the greater the increase rate of the stress is. For example, under state TF, the circumferential stress at inner surface of the lining increases from 10.50 to 11.62 MPa, as ka decreases from 1.0 to 0.85, whereas it increases from 13.18 to 16.30 MPa, as ka decreases from 0.70 to 0.55. Moreover, the increase of stress with ka under state TF is much greater that under state TU. Comparing Figures 1012 with Figures 13 and 14, kd has greater influence than ka on the stress in the lining.

FIGURE 13
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FIGURE 13. Influence of degree of anisotropy ka under state TU.

FIGURE 14
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FIGURE 14. Influence of degree of anisotropy ka under state TF.

Conclusion

In cold region tunnels, surrounding rock in a freeze–thaw circle suffers unidirectional freeze–thaw cycles during the operation process, and, thus, isotropic surrounding rocks gradually transform into transversely isotropic materials. Based on this phenomenon, an analytical solution to the mechanical response of cold region tunnels with a transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle induced by unidirectional freeze–thaw damage is proposed. The analytical solution is derived under two different states of the freeze–thaw circle: 1) transversely isotropic and unfrozen state and 2) transversely isotropic and frozen state.

Additionally, the stress distribution in the lining and surrounding rock with a transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle is analyzed. The transformation of the surrounding rock in a freeze–thaw circle from isotropic material into transversely isotropic material adversely affects the stress distribution in the lining, especially in the transversely isotropic and frozen state, under which the stress in the lining increases significantly.

Finally, the influence of the deterioration coefficient kd and the degree of anisotropy ka on the mechanical response in cold region tunnels is analyzed. The stress in the lining increases linearly with the decrease of kd, whereas the increase of stress under the transversely isotropic and frozen state is much greater. The stress in the lining increases nonlinearly with the decrease of ka. The smaller the ka is, the greater the increase rate of the stress is. Moreover, the increase of stress with ka under the transversely isotropic and frozen state is much greater than that under the transversely isotropic and unfrozen state. Both kd and ka decrease from 1.0 as unidirectional freeze–thaw cycles suffered by surrounding rock increase, and, thus, induce the increase of stresses in the lining. In addition, kd has a greater influence than ka on the stress in the lining.

Data availability statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Author contributions

ZL: funding acquisition, writing—original draft, and methodology. MW: data curation and validation. FH: conceptualization, writing—review and editing. YC: formal analysis and investigation.

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52108370) and Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation (No. 20212BAB214062).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors, and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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Keywords: stress distribution, cold region tunnels, transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle, mechanical response, unidirectional freeze–thaw

Citation: Lv Z, Wu M, Huang F and Cai Y (2022) Analytical solution of mechanical response in cold region tunnels under transversely isotropic freeze–thaw circle induced by unidirectional freeze–thaw damage. Front. Earth Sci. 10:1016605. doi: 10.3389/feart.2022.1016605

Received: 11 August 2022; Accepted: 25 August 2022;
Published: 20 September 2022.

Edited by:

Guang-Liang Feng, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China

Reviewed by:

Guozhu Zhang, Southeast University, China
Qiang Feng, Shandong University of Science and Technology, China

Copyright © 2022 Lv, Wu, Huang and Cai. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Faming Huang, ZmFtaW5naHVhbmdAbmN1LmVkdS5jbg==

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.