Three-Dimensional Limit Equilibrium Solution of Minimum Support Pressure of Shield Tunnel Face in Sandy Cobble Stratum

The ground subsidence accident caused by the instability of shield tunnel face has been a major problem that puzzles urban subway construction in weak rock. Maintaining the stability of tunnel face is the key to ensure the safety of shield construction and reduce the environmental impact. In view of the shield with a diameter of 8600 mm in Chengdu metro line 18 through the sandy cobble stratum, it is more difficult to maintain the stability of the shield tunnel face than other strata. The characteristics of the sandy pebble stratum were taken into account firstly in this paper. The analytical equation was obtained by the limit equilibrium method. The optimization of the trapezoidal bottom has been improved based on the existing 3D trapezoidal wedge model. And the optimal solution of the ultimate support pressure was obtained. The influencing factors of support pressure are also analysed. When the tunnel diameter is fixed, the deeper the ground covering depth is, the greater the required limit support pressure becomes. But the ground covering depth has almost no effect on the ultimate support pressure even if the tunnel is deep. The limit support pressure is inversely proportional to the internal friction angle of the soil and is proportional to the diameter of the tunnel. Finally, theoretical limit support pressure can be also verified by the numerical simulation results and the field monitoring results. It provides a reference for the subsequent setting value of the soil warehouse pressure.