Influence of sand layer thickness on the collapse mechanism of tunnels in soil-sand-rock composite strata

Collapse is a severe event during metro tunnel construction, particularly in soil-sand-rock composite strata. Variations in the thickness of sand layers, owing to their high compressibility, flowability, and thixotropic properties, significantly impact the mechanical response and deformation of strata, which also directly determine the stability of tunnel excavation processes. Regarding the complexity of the engineering response of the soil-sand-rock composite strata, a series of model tests were conducted to reveal the collapse mechanism of the metro tunnel in the soil-sand-rock composite strata subjected to varying sand layer thickness in this paper. Meanwhile, the influence of sand thickness on the evolution of collapse form, the response of strata stress, and the variation of the displacement and strain fields were systematically discussed by the monitoring data from the miniature earth pressure cells and a two-dimensional full-field deformation measurement system. Moreover, the collapse evolution process was recorded by the industrial camera. The test results indicated that the horizontal displacement of the tunnel shoulders was more affected by the increase in sand layer thickness than the horizontal displacement of the haunches before the tunnel collapse. The high compressibility of the sand layer resisted the transmission of surcharge load to the rock layer. Once the overlying rock layer above the tunnel vault lost its bearing capacity, the thixotropy and flowability properties of the sand layer caused the collapse face to expand funnel-shaped to both sides. The collapse width of the sand-soil interface was proportional to the sand layer thickness. The greater the sand layer thickness, the weaker the ability to provide stable support for the foot of the temporary stratigraphic arch, further reducing the stability of the temporary stratigraphic arch and leading to a faster collapse rate of the composite strata. In general, the results of this research offer valuable guidance for preventing and controlling tunnel collapse in soil-sand-rock composite strata.