Dynamic Analysis Of Joints Impact On Guangzhou Zhoutouzui Immersed Tunnel

Because of its advantages in traversing the channels, with the development of the national economy, immersed tunnels will inevitably be used as the main means of traversing rivers, bays and seabeds. As a buried structure, the aseismatic ability of immersed tunnels is much better than overground structure, but a large number of examples show it can also be destroyed. In view of its importance and underwater particularity, the destruction of immersed tunnels will be disastrous. Accordingly, it is necessary to carry out earthquake-resistant research of immersed tunnels. Currently, researchers from home and abroad usually use simplified models in the aseismatic analyses of immersed tunnels, which can not properly simulate the two functions of the soil and do not put their emphases on the joints, while the finite element method solves this problem successfully. In this paper taking Guangzhou Zhoutouzui immersed tunnel as an example, the author made a research of aseismatic analyses of immersed tunnels by introducing FEM. It includes: the distribution of the stress near the joint, the effect of different direction of earthquake waves, the effect of different geologic conditions, the effect of different joint's materials, and the effect of boundary conditions. The conclusions of this paper can be used as the reference of Guangzhou Zhoutouzui immersed tunnels' design and construction.