Vulnerability analysis of tunnel linings under blast loading (original) (raw)

International Journal of Protective Structures

In the present study, a comparative assessment on the performance of conventional and advanced tunnel lining materials subjected to blast loading is done using a three-dimensional non-linear finite element analysis procedure. The conventional tunnel lining materials analyzed herein are plain concrete, steel, reinforced cement concrete, and steel fiber–reinforced concrete. The advanced tunnel lining materials analyzed herein are dytherm, polyurethane, and aluminum syntactic foam sandwich panels with steel–foam–steel composites. The pressure generated by 10 kg Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is applied to each element on the inner wall of the tunnel which has an effect equal to the scaled distance Z = 1.16 m/kg1/3. Analyses are conducted by varying the thickness of lining materials for a tunnel built in rock domain. The response of the tunnel lining materials, for example, deformation, stresses, and strains generated at different interfaces, is compared with each other to assess the best suitab...