Shaking Table Test on the Tunnel Dynamic Response under Different Fault Dip Angles

Fault-crossing tunnels are often severely damaged under seismic dynamics. Study of the dynamic response characteristics of tunnels crossing faults is thus of great engineering significance. Here, the Xianglushan Tunnel of the Central Yunnan Water Diversion Project was studied. A shaking table experimental device was used, and four sets of dynamic model tests of deep-buried tunnels with different fault inclination angles were conducted. Test schemes of model similarity ratio, similar material selection, model box design, and sine wave loading were introduced. The acceleration and strain data of the tunnel lining were monitored. Analysis of the acceleration data showed that when the input PGA was 0.6 g, compared with the ordinary tunnel, the acceleration increases by 117% when the inclination angle was 75 degrees, 127% when the inclination angle was 45 degrees, and 144% when the inclination angle was 30 degrees. This indicates that the dynamic response of the cross-fault tunnel structure was stronger than that of the ordinary tunnel, and the effect was more obvious as the fault dip angle decreased. Analysis of the strain data showed that the strain response of the fault-crossing tunnels was more sensitive to the fault dip. The peak strain and increase in fault-crossing tunnels were much larger than those of ordinary tunnels, and smaller fault dips led to larger increases in the strain peak; consequently, the tunnel would reach the ultimate strain and break down when the input PGA was smaller. Generally, the influence of fault inclination on the dynamic response of the tunnel lining should receive increased consideration in the seismic design of tunnels.