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Monitoring the structural response of the Liefkenshoek rail tunnel to tidal level fluctuations
Schotte, K.; Nuttens, T.; De Wulf, A.; Van Bogaert, P.; De Backer, H. (2016). Monitoring the structural response of the Liefkenshoek rail tunnel to tidal level fluctuations. Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities 30(5): 10. https://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0000863
In: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities. ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS: Reston. ISSN 0887-3828; e-ISSN 1943-5509, more
Peer reviewed article  
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Author keywords
    Shield-driven tunnel; Precast concrete segments; Tidal river;Monitoring; Strain gauges; Ovalization; Leveling measurements; Movement;River tides
Authors  Top 
  • Van Bogaert, P., more
  • De Backer, H., more
Abstract
    The 6-km-long Liefkenshoek rail tunnel creates a new freight connection in the Port of Antwerp (Belgium) by crossing the River Scheldt and Port Canal. The water level variation of the river, corresponding to the tides of the North Sea, proved to be a nonnegligible load state for the tunnel lining. This paper reports how the structural response of the Liefkenshoek tunnel to the tidal fluctuations could be identified, thanks to the various components of the complementary monitoring program, consisting of strain, ovalization, and leveling measurements. First, an in-depth study on the methodology of the applied monitoring procedures is presented. Next, results show that the tidal effect causes an oscillating vertical displacement of the tunnel lining up to 10 mm between low and high tide. Outside the river boundaries, no significant tidal influence is found, and the transition zone between the stable tunnel section and the moving part below the river appears to be constrained to a relatively small tunnel section. Furthermore, the concrete lining shows a uniform compression and relaxation between tides. The corresponding monitored stress changes show a good resemblance with results from simplified analytical calculation. The findings of this paper perfectly illustrate how the design process of segmental tunnel linings requires a thorough understanding of the project surroundings for a correct identification of all loads on the precast concrete elements, both during and after tunnel drive works.
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