Tunnel Construction and Stability in Loess Soils
Summary
Tunnel construction in loess soils poses significant challenges due to the unique structural and hydro-mechanical properties of loess. This wind-blown silt is characterised by high porosity, metastable fabric and a pronounced tendency towards collapse upon wetting. Under natural conditions, loess exhibits an interlocking particle structure bonded by clay minerals and electrostatic forces. When disturbed by excavation or subject to moisture ingress, the sudden breakdown of this fabric can trigger pronounced ground settlement, face instability, roof collapse and lining distortion. Moreover, the heterogeneity of loess deposits, often interspersed with clay lenses and palaeosol horizons, complicates predictive modelling of tunnel behaviour. These factors have driven the development of innovative construction methods and ground improvement strategies—ranging from staged excavation sequences and pre-support systems to advanced numerical simulations and in situ monitoring technologies. Effective designs integrate soil–structure interaction analysis with adaptive support schemes, aiming to mitigate collapse risk, control deformation and ensure operational safety across diverse geological and environmental settings.
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Tunnel Construction and Stability in Loess Soils publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in tunnel construction and stability in loess soils across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Loess: A porous, wind-deposited silt with a metastable structure prone to collapse when wetted.
Collapsibility: The rapid loss of soil volume and strength upon moisture ingress or load application.
Jet grouting: A ground improvement technique involving high-pressure injection of grout to form soil–cement columns.
Pre-support: Reinforcement measures applied ahead of excavation, such as pipe roofs or ductules, to stabilise the tunnel face.
Three-bench seven-step excavation method (TSEM): A staged tunnelling approach dividing the face into benches and steps to control deformation.
References
- Displacement and Stress Characteristics of Tunnel Foundation in Collapsible Loess Ground Reinforced by Jet Grouting Columns. Advances in Civil Engineering (2018).
- Structural Response of the Metro Tunnel under Local Dynamic Water Environment in Loess Strata. Geofluids (2019).
- Modeling of Loess Soaking Induced Impacts on a Metro Tunnel Using a Water Soaking System in Centrifuge. Geofluids (2019).
- Displacement Characteristics of Shallow-Buried Large-Section Loess Tunnel with Different Types of Pre-Supports: A Case Study of New Badaling Tunnel. Applied Sciences (2019).
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