UNDRAINED SEISMIC RESPONSE OF UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES

Underground structures must be able to support static overburden loads, as well as to accommodate additional deformations imposed by seismic motions. It seems well established that the most critical demand to the structure is caused by shear waves traveling perpendicular to the tunnel axis, which cause distortions of the cross section that result in axial forces and bending moments. This book includes results of two-dimensional dynamic numerical analyses conducted to assess the seismic response of deep circular tunnels located far from the seismic source, under drained or undrained loading conditions. It is assumed that the liner remains elastic and that plane strain conditions apply.