Nonlinear analysis for the coupled problem of temperature, seepage and stress fields in cold-region tunnels

In this paper, a mathmatical mechanical model and the governing differentia l equations of the coupled problem of temperature, seepage and stress field s with phase change are first derived from the theory of heat transfer, the theory of seepage and frozen soil mechanics. Then the finite element formu lae of this problem are obtained from Galerkin's method Finally, an illustr ative example of the temperature field and stress field in a cold regions t unnel, considering the seepage and frost-heaving force influence, is provid ed The example shows that the influence of frost-heaving force on the stres ses of the tunnel lining is very large and, thus, the effect of this factor on the tunnel lining should be taken into account in the cold regions engi neering design. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.