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| Development and application of a large-scale physical model system for tunnel creep testing |
| MAO Yuting1, 2, HE Manchao1, 2, LIU Fangzhou3, BAI Xing4, YANG Xiaojie1, 2, TAO Zhigang1, 2* |
(1. State Key Laboratory for Tunnel Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China;
2. School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China;
3. McGill University, H3A0C8, Canada; 4. Guangzhou Communications Investment Group Co., Ltd,
Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, China) |
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Abstract Existing physical model tests for tunnels often suffer from small model scales, simplified confining pressure loading, and inadequate long-term loading capacity. To address these limitations, a large-scale physical model system for tunnel creep testing was developed to investigate the time-dependent behavior of deeply buried tunnel rock masses. The system comprises a high-stiffness annular reaction structure, a circumferential multi-point radial loading subsystem with servo control, a replaceable similar material model chamber, and a multi-source long-term monitoring platform. It is capable of generating an axially symmetric triaxial stress path and maintaining a stable confining pressure environment in the laboratory. A circular deep-buried tunnel with a geometric similarity ratio of 1:5 was selected as the prototype. A cement-based similar material that satisfies grouped similarity requirements was designed, and a stepped long-term creep test was conducted under incrementally increased confining pressure. Digital image correlation and multi-point convergence monitoring were employed to capture full-field deformation, crack evolution, and tunnel convergence throughout the entire loading process. The results indicate that the confining pressure in all sixteen loading channels remains stable for several tens of days and the circumferential stress distribution is nearly uniform, which demonstrates reliable stress transfer and long-term constant loading performance of the system. The surface strain field of the surrounding rock evolves from scattered strain nuclei to banded and networked high-strain zones. The cracking process progresses through three distinct stages: initial superficial cracks, stable extension and ultimately, through-going failure. The convergence curves clearly exhibit the transition from primary to secondary and tertiary creep stages. These findings demonstrate that the developed large-scale tunnel creep testing system can realistically reproduce the elastoplastic zoning and time-dependent deformation of surrounding rock after excavation. The system provides a robust experimental platform and high-quality data for the long-term stability assessment of deep tunnels and for the optimization of tunnel support design.
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2026, Vol. 45 
