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Present Status, Technology and Materials in Tunnelling and Underground Engineering

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2024) | Viewed by 2481

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, 10129 Turin, Italy
Interests: tunnelling; geomechanics; numerical modelling; ground support

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructural Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Turin, Italy
Interests: tunnelling; geomechanics; numerical modelling; ground support

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, 10129 Turin, Italy
Interests: tunnelling; soil conditioning; mechanised tunnelling, permeation grouting; rock wear; mechanised tunnelling; vibration control in D&B

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to define the state of the art regarding the new wave of modern technologies and methods for tunnel construction. The role of underground infrastructures is significant in the sustainable and resilient development of urban areas, but this sudden expansion has created more challenging operating conditions. In this context, the rapid growth of new technologies has facilitated the construction and operation of tunnels; on one hand, the use of automation and more advanced systems reduces risks during the construction phase, and on the other hand, innovative technologies and materials ensure excavation feasibility, even under environmental restrictions. Furthermore, new technologies are also expected to play a crucial role in organising more efficient maintenance campaigns to reduce traffic disruptions.

We welcome papers on topics including, but not limited to:

  • Innovations in mechanised and conventional tunnel excavations;
  • New technologies and materials in mechanised tunnelling (soil conditioning and backfilling);
  • The application of AI in tunnelling excavation;
  • Automation in the construction and operation of underground structures;
  • The use of new technologies for reducing excavation risk;
  • The use of new technologies for the maintenance of existing tunnels in operation.

Dr. Daniele Martinelli
Prof. Dr. Pierpaolo Oreste
Dr. Carmine Todaro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 7522 KiB  
Article
Landslide–Tunnel Interactions and Control Countermeasures under an Orthogonal System
by Yang Chen, Pengfei Li, Shuai Lu, Zhijie Sun and Shizhao Zhu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(13), 5479; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135479 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 416
Abstract
When a tunnel crosses a landslide orthogonally, this interaction can easily lead to instability in both the landslide and tunnel structures. Based on the relative positional relationship between a landslide and a tunnel, we studied the stress mode and deformation characteristics of the [...] Read more.
When a tunnel crosses a landslide orthogonally, this interaction can easily lead to instability in both the landslide and tunnel structures. Based on the relative positional relationship between a landslide and a tunnel, we studied the stress mode and deformation characteristics of the tunnel in three positional relationships: within the landslide mass, the sliding surface, and the sliding bed. The tunnel is a typical type located on a sliding surface at an engineering site, so we established a numerical model showing the intersection of the tunnel and the sliding surface. The plastic zone distribution, stress characteristics, and displacement distribution characteristics of the surrounding rock before and after tunnel excavation were studied. Based on the simulation results, we analyzed the control effect of anti-slide piles in controlling the tunnel’s deformation in the surrounding rock from four perspectives: the arrangement of anti-slide piles, the spacing between piles and tunnels, the diameter of anti-slide piles, and the depth of piles embedded in the bedrock. By analyzing the deformation law of the landslide mass and the force characteristics of the tunnel structure under the orthogonal conditions of a tunnel landslide, we provide theoretical guidance for the adoption of anti-slide piles to control instability in tunnel structures. Full article
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13 pages, 7211 KiB  
Article
Numerical Analysis of New Stainless-Steel Corrugated-Plate Reinforcement of Shield-Tunnel Segmental Joints Based on Virtual-Tracking-Element Technology
by Wenqi Ding, Chang Ma, Yingjie Guo, Xiaoran Li and Shuobiao Li
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(10), 5904; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13105904 - 10 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1534
Abstract
Shield tunnels inevitably endure various forms of damage as their service times increase. Steel corrugated plates have been used extensively under multiple conditions and have proven effective in strengthening segmental joints, according to full-scale tests. A numerical model is proposed to probe the [...] Read more.
Shield tunnels inevitably endure various forms of damage as their service times increase. Steel corrugated plates have been used extensively under multiple conditions and have proven effective in strengthening segmental joints, according to full-scale tests. A numerical model is proposed to probe the feasibility of using a new stainless-steel corrugated plate (SSCP) to reinforce shield-tunnel segments. A new method, called virtual-tracking-element technology, is employed to achieve the simulation of a realistic stress state of the segmental joint. Moreover, a segmental-joint-component analysis and a parametric study were conducted based on the numerical model. The results demonstrate that: (1) the virtual-tracking-element technology is a valid and efficient approach to the simulation of the secondary-stress state of segmental joints; (2) SSCP reinforcement is not fully utilized when the grade of segmental concrete is C50, and it has a wide safety margin for potential overload; (3) SSCP reinforcement performs well regardless of the burial depth, and reinforcement in advance is recommended. Full article
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