The comparative analysis of the stress-strain state of the support of the escalator tunnel constructed in weak soils by the NATM

The construction of underground objects of the subway is always associated with building of structures connecting the surface. For subways, such structures are escalator tunnels. During the construction of the Dnipro Metro, these underground structures are built using a new technology that forms a multilayered support. This technology is the New Austrian tunneling method. A special feature of its application under the conditions of the Dnipro city is the existence of weak rocks in the upper part of the escalator tunnel. To ensure their stability, various special operational techniques are used that impact the rock massif. The basic techniques include artificial freezing, which was the dominant strengthening technology, and chemical strengthening (cementation), which is more consistent with the New Austrian tunneling method. To elucidate the effectiveness of the two strengthening techniques, a finite-element model of the Dnipro Metro escalator tunnel has been built. The numerical calculation of two variants for the strengthening of weak soils yielded results for a comparative analysis of the stress-strain state. The result of the comparative analysis is the conclusion of greater cementation efficiency when strengthening weak soils of the massif in which the escalator tunnel is constructed using New Austrian tunneling method.