Experimental Investigation on a Water Diversion Shield Segment Using a Newly Developed Model Test Chamber

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

- The study by the authors provides a detailed investigation into the design and performance of an innovative shield segment equipped with a water diversion function. The study is significant as it addresses the challenge of maintaining groundwater flow in areas with complex hydrogeological conditions during subway construction. The research flows well and gives valuable knowledge on the development, testing, and effectiveness of the new shield segment.

- The research has a clear focus on the development of a shield segment that can maintain groundwater flow while preventing damage to underground water transport channels during subway construction. This area of study is crucial for urban areas like Jinan, where protecting the underground water ecosystem is a significant concern. The relevance of the study to practical engineering challenges adds considerable value to the research.

- The authors appropriately detail the design and fabrication of the model test chamber and the water diversion shield segment. The use of a newly developed test chamber to simulate real-world conditions and measure earth pressure, pore water pressure, and strain on the shield segment is innovative. The detailed description of the experimental setup, including the construction and instrumentation of the test box, enhances the credibility of the study.

- The study wields great practical significance related to the practical implications of the water diversion shield segment in real-world applications. The research demonstrates the potential of the segment to improve the stability and maintenance of subway tunnels by validating the design through extensive model tests. This ensures that the findings are not only theoretically significant but also applicable to ongoing and future engineering projects.

- Elaborating on potential future research directions would add value to the conclusion. Discussing how the water diversion shield segment could be adapted for different conditions or integrated with other tunnel stabilisation techniques would strengthen the impact of the study.

- The study presents results on the distribution of strain, earth pressure, and pore water pressure under various conditions. The use of figures and tables to illustrate these findings is effective, allowing readers to visualise the impact of different pressure differentials on the shield segment. The analysis highlights the practical benefits of the water diversion function in reducing asymmetrical pressure and mitigating potential deformation.

- The authors need to comment on how a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impact of different input parameters on the outcomes would influence the results of the study. They need to look at the influence of varying parameters such as water pressure, soil density, and pipe segment material properties on the performance of the shield segment.

- The study incorporates relevant references which strengthens the flow of the paper.

- Minor language errors were noted.

- It is commendable that the authors will provide the data supporting the study on request. This enhances the reproducibility of the research and enables other researchers to conduct further analysis.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

- Minor language errors were noted.

Author Response

Comments 1:The research has a clear focus on the development of a shield segment that can maintain groundwater flow while preventing damage to underground water transport channels during subway construction. This area of study is crucial for urban areas like Jinan, where protecting the underground water ecosystem is a significant concern. The relevance of the study to practical engineering challenges adds considerable value to the research.

Response 1: We appreciate your recognition of the research's practical implications. Applying the research to practical engineering is our next key focus.

 

Comments 2:The authors appropriately detail the design and fabrication of the model test chamber and the water diversion shield segment. The use of a newly developed test chamber to simulate real-world conditions and measure earth pressure, pore water pressure, and strain on the shield segment is innovative. The detailed description of the experimental setup, including the construction and instrumentation of the test box, enhances the credibility of the study.

Response 2: We are grateful for your positive comments on the detailed description of our experimental setup. Your feedback reinforces our commitment to exploring the broader engineering applications of our research.

 

Comments 3:The study wields great practical significance related to the practical implications of the water diversion shield segment in real-world applications. The research demonstrates the potential of the segment to improve the stability and maintenance of subway tunnels by validating the design through extensive model tests. This ensures that the findings are not only theoretically significant but also applicable to ongoing and future engineering projects.

Response 3: We thank you for highlighting the practical significance of our study. Your comment motivates us to delve deeper into the industrial production and on-site experimental validation of the water diversion shield segment.

 

Comments 4:Elaborating on potential future research directions would add value to the conclusion. Discussing how the water diversion shield segment could be adapted for different conditions or integrated with other tunnel stabilisation techniques would strengthen the impact of the study.

Response 4:We appreciate your suggestion to expand on future research directions. We will explore how our findings can be adapted to various geological conditions and integrated with other tunnel stabilization techniques in our forthcoming work.

 

Comments 5:The study presents results on the distribution of strain, earth pressure, and pore water pressure under various conditions. The use of figures and tables to illustrate these findings is effective, allowing readers to visualise the impact of different pressure differentials on the shield segment. The analysis highlights the practical benefits of the water diversion function in reducing asymmetrical pressure and mitigating potential deformation.

Response 5:We are pleased that you found our presentation of results effective. Your acknowledgment of our approach to illustrating findings with figures and tables is appreciated.

 

Comments 6:The authors need to comment on how a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impact of different input parameters on the outcomes would influence the results of the study. They need to look at the influence of varying parameters such as water pressure, soil density, and pipe segment material properties on the performance of the shield segment.

Response 6:Thank you for your useful suggestion. The sensitivity analysis of different parameters (such as water pressure difference, pore water pressure, and soil pressure) on the internal forces and deformations of pipe segments is another aspect of this manuscript's study. In this area of research, we need to further refine the experiments, introduce precision measuring instruments, and analyze the sensitivity of parameters.

 

Comments 7:The study incorporates relevant references which strengthens the flow of the paper.

Response 7: We appreciate your acknowledgment of the relevance of our references. Ensuring a strong literature foundation is essential to the integrity of our research.

 

Comments 8:Minor language errors were noted.

Response 8:We have taken your feedback to heart and have meticulously revised the manuscript to correct any minor language errors, enhancing the clarity and precision of our work.

 

Comments 9:It is commendable that the authors will provide the data supporting the study on request. This enhances the reproducibility of the research and enables other researchers to conduct further analysis.

Response 9:We are grateful for your commendation on our commitment to data sharing. We value transparency and reproducibility in research and are prepared to provide the data supporting our study upon request.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1. The main question addressed by the research is the investigation of the structural performance and effectiveness of water diversion shield segments under controlled experimental conditions using a newly developed model test chamber. The aim of the paper is to evaluate these segments' behavior and structural integrity, contributing new insights into their design and application. The main strengths of the paper include the innovative test chamber, detailed empirical analysis, and comprehensive data presentation.

2. I will sugest to increase the number of tests and sample sizes to enhance the generalizability of the results and use different materials. 

3. The research topic is original and highly relevant in the fields of civil engineering and water management. It addresses a specific gap in the literature regarding the performance of water diversion shields under controlled conditions. This study provides valuable empirical data and methodological innovations that can inform future designs and implementations.

4. This research offers significant contributions compared to existing literature by providing detailed empirical data and introducing a novel experimental setup. The newly developed model test chamber represents a unique approach to studying water diversion shield segments, enhancing the understanding of their mechanical behavior and structural integrity.

5. The conclusions drawn in the paper are consistent with the evidence and arguments presented. The data is systematically analyzed, and the conclusions directly address the main research question. The findings are well-supported by the experimental results and discussions.

6. The references used are appropriate and relevant, providing a strong foundation for the research. Including a few more recent studies could further strengthen the contextual background and reflect the latest advancements in the field.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The quality of the English language is generally good, but there are some areas that could benefit from minor editing for clarity and readability. Attention should be given to ensuring consistent use of technical terms, correcting any grammatical errors, and improving sentence structure where necessary to enhance the overall flow of the manuscript.

Author Response

Comments 1:The main question addressed by the research is the investigation of the structural performance and effectiveness of water diversion shield segments under controlled experimental conditions using a newly developed model test chamber. The aim of the paper is to evaluate these segments' behavior and structural integrity, contributing new insights into their design and application. The main strengths of the paper include the innovative test chamber, detailed empirical analysis, and comprehensive data presentation.

Response 1:We appreciate your recognition of the paper's strengths, especially the innovative test chamber and the detailed empirical analysis. Your feedback is encouraging and will guide us in further enhancing our research.

 

Comments 2:I will sugest to increase the number of tests and sample sizes to enhance the generalizability of the results and use different materials.

Response 2:We thank you for your insightful suggestion. We agree that increasing the number of tests and sample sizes is crucial for enhancing the generalizability of our results. We are currently exploring the use of materials with varying permeability coefficients and adjusting the inclination angle during the test setup to further our understanding.

 

Comments 3:The research topic is original and highly relevant in the fields of civil engineering and water management. It addresses a specific gap in the literature regarding the performance of water diversion shields under controlled conditions. This study provides valuable empirical data and methodological innovations that can inform future designs and implementations.

Response 3:We are grateful for your positive assessment of the originality and relevance of our research.  

 

Comments 4:This research offers significant contributions compared to existing literature by providing detailed empirical data and introducing a novel experimental setup. The newly developed model test chamber represents a unique approach to studying water diversion shield segments, enhancing the understanding of their mechanical behavior and structural integrity.

Response 4:We appreciate your acknowledgment of the research's contributions to the existing literature. The introduction of the novel experimental setup and the detailed empirical data are central to our study, and we are pleased that you find them valuable.

 

Comments 5:The conclusions drawn in the paper are consistent with the evidence and arguments presented. The data is systematically analyzed, and the conclusions directly address the main research question. The findings are well-supported by the experimental results and discussions.

Response 5:We are pleased to hear that you find our conclusions well-aligned with the evidence and arguments presented. Ensuring that our findings are robustly supported by systematic data analysis is a fundamental aspect of our research methodology. Your affirmation of this consistency is greatly appreciated.

 

Comments 6:The references used are appropriate and relevant, providing a strong foundation for the research. Including a few more recent studies could further strengthen the contextual background and reflect the latest advancements in the field.

Response 6:We appreciate your feedback on the relevance of the references used in our paper.