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  Estimation of stress distribution in precast tunnel segments due to TBM thrust

  During the tunnel excavation process the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) advances by thrusting against the newest assembled ring. At this stage, the thrust jacks exert very high concentrated loads on the precast tunnel segments, resulting in high compression stresses and tensile bursting forces under the thrust jack plate, as well as spalling tensile forces between the pads. In the presented research, a proper finite element (FE) code is applied with the aim of evaluating the stress distribution due to introduction of thrust jack forces, with particular reference to spalling and bursting stresses in the circumferential direction. The results are compared with those obtained by applying the method of Leonhardt 1964 to the case of tunnel segments. Furthermore, full-scale thrust tests have been performed on precast segments, developed in the Tunnelling Engineering Research Centre of University of Rome Tor Vergata.

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