Designing tunnels in Sydney for earthquakes

B.E. Estrada , A. de Ambrosis, R. Bertuzzi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperConference paperpeer-review

Abstract

Assessment of tunnel support performance under seismic conditions in the Sydney region has continued to develop and improve. The ground motion characteristics of design earthquakes are used to estimate tunnel deformation with closed form elastic solutions and numerical analysis. This paper describes the selection of the design earthquakes, ground motion characteristics and the applied methodology.

This paper also proposes a new approach based on Austroads' Guide to Road Tunnels. The new approach comprises a three-level design criterion. Each level assesses the tunnel response against a different return period earthquake. The first level assesses the tunnel for continuous operation with only minor damage allowed and no disruption to traffic. The second level targets tunnel operation for emergency traffic only, with some damage needing repair allowed. The third level is targeted at life safety and prevention of tunnel collapse.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication16th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2017: Challenging Underground Space : Bigger, Better, More
Place of PublicationAustralia
PublisherEngineers Australia
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9781922107985
Publication statusPublished - 23 Nov 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event16th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2017 - Star City Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Duration: 30 Oct 20171 Nov 2017
Conference number: 16

Conference

Conference16th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2017
Abbreviated titleATS2017
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CitySydney
Period30/10/171/11/17

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