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Seismic response of tunnels revealed in two decades following the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake (Mw 7.6) in Taiwan: A review

Tai-Tien Wang, O. Kwok, Fu-Shu Jeng

2021

134 citations

Abstract

Abstract The 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan, earthquake (Mw 7.6) caused damage to 49 tunnels within 60 km of the epicenter, including the collapse of three mountain tunnels, ending the traditional perception that tunnels, and especially mountain tunnels, were earthquake-resistant. A series of studies that involved seismic damage investigation, physical model and numerical simulation experiments, numerical analyses and field monitoring have been carried out to investigate the damage mechanism, influencing factors and the seismic response of tunnels, and these are reviewed in this manuscript. The results of such studies over the last two decades demonstrate that tunnels suffer less seismic damage than surface structures. Most of seismic damage to tunnels involves failure of the adjacent ground or the movement of a fault that is crossed by the tunnel. Tunnel damage that is caused by ground motion occurs where the seismic effects are amplified, such as at the slope next to mined sections and portals, in shallow overburden tunnels, and at particular combinations of tunnel depth and geological conditions. Results of physical model-based tests using shaking tables and centrifuges reveal that tunnels exhibit rocking responses along with ovaling deformation or racking distortions under seismic excitation; also residual earth pressures remain on the tunnel side walls and internal forces of lining exist after shaking. The structural responses of a tunnel under non-uniform excitation are larger…

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