Numerical Simulation Study on the Failure Process of Overlying Marine Soft Soil during Vertical Jacking

Wang Yanhua; Dai Fanfei; He Jianqun; Li Lichen; Cai Jihua

doi:10.20174/j.JUSE.2026.03.33

Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering >

2026 , Vol. 22 >Issue 3: 1079 - 1089

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20174/j.JUSE.2026.03.33

Numerical Simulation Study on the Failure Process of Overlying Marine Soft Soil during Vertical Jacking

Wang Yanhua ,
Dai Fanfei ,
He Jianqun ,
Li Lichen ,
Cai Jihua

Expand

1. Central & Southern China Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430010, P. R. China;
2. Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074 P. R. China

Received date: 2025-12-15

Online published: 2026-06-23

Fold

Abstract

Based on the on-site data of vertical pipe jacking construction, a numerical model of vertical pipe jacking was established by using the particle flow code PFC2D. The failure process of the overlying marine soft soil layer and the jacking force were analyzed. The numerical model was verified to be reasonable by comparing the jacking force obtained from the field measurement and theoretical calculation. Then, the influence laws of the overburden depth, pipe diameter and pipe spacing on the failure process of the overlying marine soft soil layer were discussed from a mesoscopic perspective. The results show that: (1) During the pipe jacking process, the failure of the overlying soil layer mainly goes through the following processes: Compression at the bottom of the soil layer leads to shear failure → oblique cracks appear around the pipe → cracks expand to form voids → redistribution of the soil layer above the cracks → filling of the voids → new cracks are generated; (2) In the numerical simulation of vertical jacking, the failure surface of the soil layer has obvious nonlinear characteristics, and the error between the simulated maximum jacking force and the measured value is within 9%, which verifies the rationality of the numerical model; (3) With the increase of the overburden depth, the top failure range of the overlying marine soft soil layer increases linearly; (4) When jacking through a layer of silty clay interbedded with silt, the failure range of the surface soil is in a power function relationship with the pipe diameter, and its influence on the surface failure range is much smaller than that of the overburden depth; (5) The failure range of the overlying soil caused by jacking a single pipe was determined, and a reference formula for the minimum pipe spacing in pipe layout was given. The above numerical simulation results have reference value for the optimization of vertical jacking construction technology in the sea area and the layout of pipe spacing.

Key words： vertical jacking; particle flow simulation; failure process; marine soft soil layer

Cite this article

Wang Yanhua , Dai Fanfei , He Jianqun , Li Lichen , Cai Jihua . Numerical Simulation Study on the Failure Process of Overlying Marine Soft Soil during Vertical Jacking[J]. Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering, 2026 , 22(3) : 1079 -1089 . DOI: 10.20174/j.JUSE.2026.03.33

References

[1] 方俊.越江隧道工程盾构进洞施工风险控制[J].地下空间与工程学报,2013,9(1):211-215, 222. (Fang Jun. Risk control in slurry shield break-through construction of river crossing tunnels[J].Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering,2013,9(1):211-215,222(in Chinese))
[2] Wang X, Behbahani S S, Iseley T, et al.Vertical tunneling in China-a case study of a hydraulic tunnel in Beihai[J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2021, 107: 103650.
[3] 韩超, 高一民, 周光杰, 等. 基于壳-接触模型的垂直顶升工法关键控制因素分析[J]. 现代隧道技术, 2022, 59(增1): 448-460. (Han Chao, Gao Yimin, Zhou Guangjie,et al. Analysis of key control factors of vertical jacking method based on shell-contact model[J]. Modern Tunneling Technology,2022,59(Supp.1):448-460. (in Chinese))
[4] Yan Y C, Zhang M X, Cao M J. Study on the effect of large cross-section quasi-rectangular pipe jacking near side crossing viaduct piles in soft soil areas[J].Applied Sciences-Basel, 2023, 13(17): 9799.
[5] 陈杨,马保松,曾聪.顶管施工的地表沉降数值分析和顶力计算[J].中国给水排水,2020,36(20):27-31. (Chen Yang, Ma Baosong, Zeng Cong. Numerical analysis of surface settlement and calculation of jacking force for pipe-jacking construction[J].China Water & Wastewater,2020,36(20):27-31. (in Chinese))
[6] Wang L Z, Wang Z, Li L L, et al. Construction behavior simulation of a hydraulic tunnel during standpipe lifting[J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2011, 26(6): 674-685.
[7] 张志伟, 李忠超, 梁荣柱, 等. 软土地层矩形顶管掘进引起地表隆沉变形分析[J]. 岩土力学, 2022, 43(增1): 419-430. (Zhang Zhiwei, Li Zhongchao, Liang Rongzhu,et al. Analysis of upheaval and settlement deformation of ground surface caused by excavation of rectangular pipe jacking in soft soil stratum[J].Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2022, 43(Supp.1): 419-430. (in Chinese))
[8] 李文江, 王用波, 阎伟龙, 等. 软黏土顶管工后沉降数值模拟与模型试验[J]. 地下空间与工程学报, 2021, 17(增2): 710-716. (Li Wenjiang,Wang Yongbo,Yan Weilong, et al. Numerical Simulation and Model Test of Post Construction Settlement of Soft Clay Pipe Jacking[J]. Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering, 2021, 17(Supp.2): 710-716. (in Chinese))
[9] 王建. 长距离管道内垂直顶升施工难点及应对措施探析[J]. 江西建材, 2023,(1): 196-197, 202. (Wang Jian. Analysis on construction difficulties and countermeasures of vertical jacking in long distance pipeline[J]. Jiangxi Building Materials, 2023(1): 196-197,202. (in Chinese))
[10] Li L C, Wu W B, Liu H, et al. DEM analysis of the plugging effect of open-ended pile during the installation process[J]. Ocean Engineering,2020,220: 108375.
[11] 魏立新, 杨春山, 莫海鸿, 等. 盾构竖井垂直顶管顶升力模型试验及离散元分析[J]. 中南大学学报(自然科学版), 2021, 52(10): 3595-3604. (Wei Lixin, Yang Chunshan, Mo Haihong, et al. Model test and discrete element analysis of lifting force of vertical pipe jacking in shield shaft[J]. Journal of Central South University (Natural Science Edition), 2021, 52(10): 3595-3604. (in Chinese))
[12] Wang L Z, Sun L W, Wang Z, et al. Field monitoring of a subsea shield tunnel during standpipe lifting[J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2015, 45: 52-62.
[13] 王瑞, 郭聚坤, 雷胜友, 等. 混凝土-海洋黏土界面剪切试验与数值模拟[J]. 中国科技论文, 2022, 17(12): 1363-1368. (Wang Rui,Guo Jukun,Lei Shengyou,et al. Shear test and numerical simulation of concrete marine clay interface[J].China Science Paper, 2022, 17(12):1363-1368. (in Chinese))
[14] 徐世杨, 刘叔灼, 陈俊生, 等. 盾构竖井垂直顶升施工阶段隧道变形分析[J]. 河南科学, 2021, 39(1): 76-83. (Xu Shiyang,Liu Shuzhuo, Chenjunsheng,et al. Tunnel deformation in vertical jacking construction stage of shield shaft[J]. Henan Science, 2021, 39(1): 76-83. (in Chinese))
[15] 张鹏, 胡家顺, 谭凤, 等. 甬舟铁路海底隧道穿越金塘水道埋深尺度论证[J]. 水运工程, 2021(10): 48-53, 110. (Zhang Peng, Hu Jiashun,Tan Feng,et al. Argument of buried depth of the submarine tunnel of Youzhou railway passing through Jintang waterway[J].Port & Waterway Engineering, 2021 (10): 48-53, 110. (in Chinese))
[16] Hou M L, Ding W T, Wang X G, et al. Analysis of the soil loss and settlement of silty clay with different subclassifications[J]. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 2020, 38(6): 5819-5838.
[17] 蒋明镜, 李志远, 黄贺鹏, 等. 南海软土微观结构与力学特性试验研究[J]. 岩土工程学报, 2017, 39(增2): 17-20. (Jiang Mingjing, Li Zhiyuan, Huang Hepeng,et al. Experimental study on microstructure and mechanical properties of seabed soft soil from south China sea[J].Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering,2017,39(Supp2):17-20. (in Chinese))
[18] 章书远. 垂直顶升法顶升力研究[D].杭州:浙江大学,2023. (Zhang Shuyuan. Study on the jacking force of vertical tunneling method[D]. Hangzhou: Zhejiang university,2023. (in Chinese))
[19] 王寿生, 葛春辉. 垂直顶管计算方法的探讨[J]. 特种结构, 2009, 26(5): 18-21. (Wang Shousheng, Ge Chunhui. Discussion on the calculation method of vertical pipe jacking[J]. Special Structure, 2009, 26(5): 18-21. (in Chinese))
[20] Li L C,Wu W B, Einaggar M.Hesham,et al. DEM analysis of the sand plug behavior during the installation process of open-ended pile[J]. Computers and Geotechnics,2019,109 (3): 23-33.
[21] 汪洋, 孟祥林, 高进, 等. 基于PFC2d的平行粘结模型宏-细观参数标定研究[J]. 四川建筑, 2022, 42(6): 137-140. (Wang Yang, Meng Xianglin, Gao Jin,et al. Research on macro-microscale parameter calibration of parallel bond model based on PFC2d[J]. Sichuan Architecture and Architecture, 2022, 42(6): 137-40. (in Chinese))
[22] 徐世杨,王一兆,杨春山,等.基于离散元的垂直顶升诱发上覆地层破坏响应分析[J].地下空间与工程学报,2024,20(增1):429-439. (Xu Shiyang,Wang Yizhao,Yang Chunshan,et al.Failure esponse analysis of overlying strata with shield shaft vertical pipe jacking based on discrete element[J].Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering,2024,20(Supp.1):429-439.. (in Chinese))
[23] 刘大鹏,武科,许文彬,等.基于离散元法的海相软土力学参数特征研究[J].地下空间与工程学报,2024,20(增2):681-691. (Liu Dapeng,Wu Ke,Xu Wenbin,et al.Research on the mechanical parameters characteristics of marine soft soil based on discrete element method[J].Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering,2024,20(Supp.2):681-691. (in Chinese))
[24] Gu X Q, Huang M S, Qian J G. Discrete Element modeling of shear band in granular materials[J]. Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics, 2014, 72: 37-49.
[25] 加瑞. 盾构隧道垂直土压力松动效应的研究[D]. 南京. 河海大学, 2007. (Jia Rui. Study on relaxation effect of vertical soil pressure for shield tunnel[D]. Nanjing: Hohai University, 2007. (in Chinese))
[26] 曾远. 土体破坏细观机理及颗粒流数值模拟[D]. 上海: 同济大学, 2006. (Zeng Yuan. Microscopic mechanics of soil failure and PFC numerical simulation[D]. Shanghai:Tongji University, 2006. (in Chinese))
[27] 徐世杨. 盾构竖井垂直顶升施工阶段隧道和上覆地层力学响应研究[D]. 广州: 华南理工大学, 2023. (Xu Shiyang.Study on mechanical response of tunnel and overlying soil in vertical jacking construction stage of shield shaft[D]. Guang Zhou:South China University of Technology, 2023. (in Chinese))
[28] 徐日庆, 廖斌, 吴渐, 等. 黏性土的非极限主动土压力计算方法研究[J]. 岩土力学, 2013, 34(1): 148-154. (Xu Riqing,Liao Bin,Wu Jian,et al. Computational method for active earth pressure of cohesive soil under nonlimit state[J].Rock and Mechanics, 2013,34(1): 148-154. (in Chinese))
[29] 杨春山, 何娜, 刘力英, 等. 垂直顶升施工上覆土层破坏形态的颗粒流模拟[J]. 公路, 2020, 65(3): 356-360. (Yang Chunshan, He Na, Liu Liying, et al. Particle flow simulation of overlying soil failure patterns in vertical jacking construction[J]. Highway, 2020, 65(3): 356-360. (in Chinese))
[30] 龚晓南. 软黏土地基土体抗剪强度若干问题[J]. 岩土工程学报, 2011, 33(10): 1596-1600. (Gong Xiaonan. Some problems concerning shear strength of soil in soft clay ground[J].Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2011, 33(10): 1596-1600. (in Chinese))
[31] 闫自海, 周烽淼, 魏新江, 等. 盾构隧道内垂直顶升法研究现状及展望[J]. 现代隧道技术, 2018, 55(增2): 108-120. (Yan Zihai, Zhou Fengmiao, Wei Xinjiang,et al. Review and prospects on standpipe lifting method in shield tunnels[J]. Modern Tunnelling Technology, 2018, 55(Supp.2): 108-120. (in Chinese))
[32] Shao G B,Yang N,Han J Y. Study on the deformation induced by vertical two-layer large diameter pipe-jacking in the soil-rock composite stratum[J].Applied Sciences,2022,12(24):12780.

Options

Outlines

模态框（Modal）标题

Abstract

Cite this article

References