Abstract:

Seepage occurring from cracks developed under operational loads in concrete or reinforced concrete in non-crack-resistant pressure tunnels has an adverse impact both on the rock massif and tunnel lining. This report documents the methodology that has been used for combining static and seepage parameters with the use of finite element method (FEM). Based on cycle-iteration calculations crack development and accompanying seepage flow parameters have been determined to reflect the interaction between the rock and the tunnel lining (concrete or reinforced concrete). The report presents a general calculation model and certain results obtained during the investigation, of the Enguri HPP Pressure Tunnel.

Keywords: pressure tunnel; cracks; seepage head losses; anisotropic mass; shotcrete lining.