93. Effect of Tunnel Advance Rate on Seepage Forces Acting on the Underwater Tunnel Face

In this paper, the effect of seepage forces arising from the groundwater flow on the tunnel face stability was studied for underwater tunnels. The groundwater flow equation was solved and the seepage forces acting on the tunnel face were calculated using the upper bound solution in limit analysis. Especially, the effect of tunnel advance rate on the seepage forces and thus on the tunnel face stability was studied. A finite element program to analyze the groundwater flow around a tunnel with the consideration of tunnel advance rate was made. Example problem showed that the seepage force is greatly influenced by the tunnel advance rate in case of less permeable ground. Finally, a rational design methodology for the assessment of support pressures required for maintaining the stability of the tunnel face was suggested for underwater tunnels.