Tunnel and TBM Analysis and Simulation Package in Abaqus

Categories: Abaqus, Course, Earthquake and Seismic, Explosion, Finite Element, Seismic Analysis, Soil modeling, Tunnel and TBM

Tunnel and TBM Analysis and Simulation Package in Abaqus

Peyman Karampour

Level

Intermediate
Duration

4 hours 50 minutes
Last Updated

September 4, 2025
Certificate

Certificate of completion

30 people watching this product now!

About Course

This package includes 11 tutorials that cover everything about the tunnel and TBM analysis in Abaqus

🔹 Introduction to Tunnel and TBM Analysis and Simulation

1. Tunneling and TBM in Civil Engineering

Tunnels are essential for transportation (rail, metro, highways), utilities (water, sewage, cables), and energy (hydropower, oil & gas).

Modern tunneling projects often use Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) — massive mechanized systems designed to excavate soil or rock while simultaneously installing tunnel linings.
TBM excavation is a soil–structure interaction problem, involving excavation-induced ground deformation, support installation, and lining–ground interaction.

2. Why Simulation is Needed?

Tunneling in complex geology poses major risks:

Ground settlement (can damage nearby buildings).
Face instability or collapse.
Water inflow under high pressure.
Excessive lining stresses or segment cracking.

Physical testing of tunnels at full scale is impossible, so numerical simulation (e.g., using Abaqus, FLAC, PLAXIS, LS-DYNA) provides a virtual way to:

Predict ground deformation.
Assess TBM performance.
Optimize lining design.
Reduce construction risks.

3. Key Aspects of Tunnel & TBM Simulation

(a) Geotechnical Model

Soil/rock properties (elastic–plastic, viscoplastic, Mohr-Coulomb, Drucker–Prager, Hoek–Brown).
Groundwater effects (pore pressure, seepage).

(b) Excavation Modeling

Step-by-step excavation to replicate tunnel advancement.
Removal of soil/rock elements with simultaneous TBM face pressure application.

(c) Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Modeling

TBM is modeled as a boundary condition or rigid body applying:
- Face support pressure (earth pressure balance, slurry pressure).
- Thrust forces from jacks.
- Frictional contact between the cutterhead/shield and the ground.

(d) Lining Installation

Segmental lining is installed immediately after TBM passage.
Simulation includes bolt connections, gaskets, and contact behavior.

(e) Coupled Analyses

Geomechanical: Stress redistribution, settlements.
Hydro-mechanical: Water pressure and seepage effects.
Machine–Ground Interaction: TBM thrust, torque, wear.

4. Simulation Workflow (Abaqus)

Define geometry: Soil domain + tunnel alignment.
Assign material models: Soil/rock + concrete lining.
Apply boundary conditions: Fix far-field, allow excavation deformation.
Step-by-step excavation: Deactivate elements at the tunnel face.
Apply TBM face pressure + lining installation.
Analyze results: Ground settlement troughs, lining stresses, TBM forces.

5. Applications

Metro projects: Predict settlements under urban areas.
Hydropower: TBM-driven pressure tunnels.
Oil & Gas: Deep subsea tunnels.
Nuclear waste storage: Long-life underground tunnels.

6. Benefits of Tunnel & TBM Simulation

Reduces construction risk and cost overruns.
Optimizes TBM operational parameters (thrust, torque, face pressure).
Ensures the safety of nearby infrastructure.
Helps in designing sustainable and durable tunnel linings.

👉 In Abaqus, the Tunnel and TBM Analysis Package usually combines:

Soil/rock constitutive models,
Excavation simulation (element deactivation/birth & death techniques),
Coupled temperature–pore pressure analysis (if groundwater present),
And contact models for TBM–ground–lining interaction.

Course Content

Example-1: Analysis of the subsurface UHPC tunnel with GFRP protection against internal blast
In this lesson, the analysis of the subsurface UHPC tunnel with GFRP protection against internal blast(CEL method) is studied. The increasing threat of blast loads on critical underground infrastructure has necessitated advanced protective measures for tunnels. Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) has emerged as an excellent material for blast-resistant structures due to its superior strength and energy absorption capacity. When combined with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) protection, UHPC tunnels can exhibit enhanced resistance to internal explosions. Numerical simulations using the Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) method in Finite Element (FE) analysis provide an efficient way to model the complex interactions between blast waves, tunnel structures, and protective linings. The CEL approach is particularly suitable for blast simulations as it avoids excessive mesh distortion by treating the explosive and air as Eulerian materials while modeling the tunnel structure as a Lagrangian domain. This study investigates the non-linear dynamic response of a subsurface UHPC tunnel reinforced with GFRP protection under internal blast loading using the CEL method. This study contributes to the design of blast-resistant underground structures, offering insights into the performance of advanced composite materials under extreme loading conditions. The CEL-based FE approach provides a robust framework for future safety assessments of critical infrastructure.

Abaqus Files
Document
Tutorial Video-1

25:21
Tutorial Video-2

19:22

Example-2: Modeling of the Eulerian-Lagrangian explosion in the stone tunnel in interaction with soil
In this section, the modeling of the Eulerian-Lagrangian explosion in the stone tunnel in interaction with soil in Abaqus is investigated through a comprehensive tutorial video. The stone tunnel is modeled as a dimensional solid part, and the TNT and soil are modeled as a volume inside the Eulerian domain. The JWL equation of state to model TNT behavior is used. This material model can convert chemical energy which released from the detonation to mechanical pressure. Abaqus has some material models for stone and rock which some of which are suitable for blast analysis, like Johnson-Holmquist or HJC. A dynamic explicit procedure is appropriate for this type of analysis. The general contact algorithm is used to model contact among all parts with the default property. The fixed boundary conditions are assigned to the bottom surfaces of the tunnel, and zero velocities to the Eulerian domain. To model TNT material and soil inside the Eulerian domain, volume fraction techniques are used. By this method, Abaqus calculates the volume of the solid parts inside the Eulerian domain. The mesh quality for the tunnel and Eulerian domain has a great effect on output results.

Example-3: Dynamic analysis of a tunnel in soil subjected to internal blast loading by using the CEL method
In this case, the dynamic analysis of a tunnel in soil subjected to internal blast loading by using the CEL method in Abaqus is done through a practical tutorial. The concrete tunnel is modeled as a solid part, the domain as an Eulerian part, TNT and soil as a solid part, and the beam as a wire part. For the beams, steel material with elastic-plastic behavior coupled with ductile damage criterion, for the soil elastic and Mohr-Coulomb plasticity, for the TNT JWL equation of state, and for the concrete tunnel, because of the huge pressure and failure Johnson-Holmquist model is used. A dynamic explicit procedure is appropriate for this type of analysis. General contact has been considered for all contact domains and embedded regions for beams inside the concrete host that is used. To define the Eulerian model volume fraction method, the location and amount of TNT are specified.

Example-4: Analysis of the earthquake over a concrete tunnel in interaction with soil
In this lesson, the analysis of the earthquake over a concrete tunnel in interaction with soil in Abaqus software is studied. The tunnel industry has considered that tunnels, especially tunnels in rock, are naturally resistant to earthquake action, including faulting, shaking, deflection, and ground failure. As the number of case histories of tunnels subject to earthquake action has increased, the industry has started to recognize that, although tunnels in rock have good resistance against earthquakes generating peak ground accelerations (PGA) lower than 0.5 g, it is important to include the dynamic forces and displacements generated by seismic ground motions in the design process to obtain a more reliable design. The soil and concrete tunnel are modeled as two two-dimensional parts. CDP(concrete damage plasticity) for concrete and Mohr-Coulomb plasticity for soil have been used. This simulation has been done in three stages. In the first stage the the soil weight is assigned to the soil part . In the second step, the gravity is assigned to all parts, and in the third step, the earthquake acceleration is applied to the assembled part. Geo stress is the other parameter which assigned to the soil by using predefined field

Example-5: Underground explosion inside two concrete tunnels-CEL approach
In this section, the underground explosion inside two concrete tunnels, the CEL approach, is investigated. An explosion on the ground surface can cause significant damage to a tunnel located at a shallow depth below ground comprehensive approach to simulate the effects of an explosion occurring inside a buried infrastructure tunnel on the soil surface and on nearby tunnels is presented. The approach considers all the stages of the complex process: detonation of the internal explosive charge; the shock wave propagation through the air in the tunnel. To model all parts three-dimensional space has been used. Concrete tunnel is modeled with JC material, air as an ideal gas, TNT as JWL, and soil with Coulomb-Mohr plasticity. A dynamic explicit procedure is appropriate for this type of analysis and for modeling TNT behavior Volume Fraction method has been implemented.

Example-6: Analysis of the Eulerian explosion inside a circular reinforced concrete tunnel in the depth of soil
In this case, the analysis of the Eulerian explosion inside a circular reinforced concrete tunnel in the depth of soil is done. Throughout the years, underground tunnels have offered a quick and cost-effective alternative to address transportation requirements in many countries. Terrorist attacks, such as the bombing of the Moscow Metro in 2004, the London Subway in 2005, and the Belarus in 2011, highlight that these structures should be carefully designed to withstand such events. The main method terrorists use to implement these attacks is using a vehicle bomb because of its enormous charge power, high success rate, and serious demolition. In this video Eulerian explosion inside the concrete tunnel in the depth of soil was done in Abaqus software. Three three-dimensional parts were used for the member as tunnel, soil, air, and TNT. To model TNT behavior JWL equation, for soil Mohr-Coulomb plasticity, for air EOS as ideal gas, and for concrete tunnel CDP model has been used. A dynamic explicit step was performed for this type of analysis. Generally, explosion has two ways for modeling: first, uniform material, and second is the volume fraction method.

Example-7: Modeling of the two dimensional tunneling and earthquake phenomenon
In this lesson, the modeling of the two-dimensional tunneling and earthquake phenomenon in Abaqus is investigated. This project consists contained six steps, and after excavation and placing a liner in the tunnel, earthquake load has been applied.

Example-8: TBM Tunneling analysis
In this section, the TBM Tunneling analysis in Abaqus software is studied. TBM simulation is of utmost importance in the planning and execution of tunneling projects. It allows engineers and project managers to evaluate the feasibility of different tunneling methods, optimize the design and operation of TBMs, and predict potential challenges and risks.

Example-9: TBM modeling in the dry mix with saturated soil
In this case, the analysis of the TBM modeling in the dry mix with saturated soil is considered through a comprehensive tutorial. A Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is a complex system used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross-section through various types of geology. TBMs can bore through anything from hard rock to sand. The soil is modeled as a three-dimensional part with two separate zones to assign dry and saturated conditions with Mohr-Coulomb plasticity. Liner is modeled as a three-dimensional shell with concrete material. This analysis contains some steps. In the first step, soil body force, in the second step, excavation, in the third step, relaxation, and in the fourth step, lining has been applied

Example-10: Modelling of the rock breakage process by the TBM rolling cutter
In this lesson, the modelling of the rock breakage process by the TBM rolling cutter in Abaqus is done through a practical tutorial. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) has been extensively adopted in tunneling constructions, due to its rapid advance rate, high efficiency, nice tunnel formation, and little impact on the surrounding environment and security. The modern era of tunnel boring machines was born in the early 1950s. Since Robbins (1987) summarized the development and application of tunnel boring machines from the 1950s to the 1980s, various applications and models developed for tunnel boring machines have been received extensive attention in the last 30 years, such as application of shield method to urban tunneling; application of multi-micro shield tunneling method to large rectangular cross-section tunnels, application of compact shield tunneling method to urban underground construction, application of a new hard rock TBM performance prediction model to project planning, and to blocky rock conditions, application of a new method to predict the TBM performance in mixed-face ground for project planning and optimization, analysis of TBM performance in highly jointed rock masses and fault zones, and so on. The performance prediction and rock breakage mechanism by TBM cutters are becoming considerably important issues. Many experimental models were designed to predict the performance and to study the rock breakage mechanism of TBM cutters.

Example-11: Analysis of the sandstone cutting by using the TBM rigid tool
In this model, the analysis of the sandstone cutting by using the TBM rigid tool in Abaqus is done. The stone part is modeled as a three-dimensional solid part. The tool is imported into Abaqus as a deformable part, but in the interaction section, the rigid constraint has been used for it. To model sandstone behavior under severe load in Abaqus, the JH2 model is appropriate. The JH-2 constitutive model was initially utilized to simulate the behavior of brittle materials, especially ceramics. The JH-2 model adds softening characteristics and contains pressure-dependent strength, damage, and fracture; significant strength after fracture; bulking, and strain rate effects. The parameter determination for the JH-2 model is not a straightforward process, as some of the constants cannot be determined explicitly. In the JH-2 constitutive model, HEL is an important concept throughout the whole computational process. Before determining the parameters of the JH-2 model, it should be noted that the normalized parameters are all derived based on the constants concerned with HEL. That material can be used as an input file or VUMAT code. The explicit step is appropriate for this type of analysis. In order to reduce the time of the simulation, the mass-scale technique is used.

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Tunnel and TBM Analysis and Simulation Package in Abaqus

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What You Will Learn?

About Course

🔹 Introduction to Tunnel and TBM Analysis and Simulation

1. Tunneling and TBM in Civil Engineering

2. Why Simulation is Needed?

3. Key Aspects of Tunnel & TBM Simulation

(a) Geotechnical Model

(b) Excavation Modeling

(c) Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Modeling

(d) Lining Installation

(e) Coupled Analyses

4. Simulation Workflow (Abaqus)

5. Applications

6. Benefits of Tunnel & TBM Simulation

Course Content

Abaqus Files

Document

Tutorial Video-1

Tutorial Video-2

Abaqus Files

Document

Tutorial Video-1

Tutorial Video-2

Abaqus Files

Document

Tutorial Video-1

Tutorial Video-2

Abaqus Files

Tutorial Video

Abaqus Files

Document

Tutorial Video

Abaqus Files

Document

Tutorial Video

Abaqus Files

Tutorial Video

Abaqus Files

Tutorial Video

Abaqus Files

Tutorial Video

Abaqus Files

Document

Tutorial Video-1

Tutorial Viedo-2

Abaqus Files

Document

Tutorial Video-1

Tutorial Video-2

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Material Includes

Audience

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