A Theoretical Model for Pipe Roof Support in Shallow Buried Tunnels Considering Changes in Water Content

Environmental conditions at shallow-buried tunnel portals often cause stratum moisture content variations, where pipe roof support is commonly used for pre-reinforcement. While studies show water content significantly affects soil strength, its impact on pipe roof behavior remains largely unexplored. This study develops a theoretical model for pipe roof longitudinal internal forces and deformations using Pasternak two-parameter foundation theory, incorporating subgrade reaction and shear moduli expressions that vary with saturation. Validation against field measurements shows good agreement with peak values, confirming model reliability. Parametric analysis reveals that increasing water content markedly amplifies pipe roof deformation: in unsaturated ground, deflection and rotation increase significantly with water content, while peak bending moment and shear force near the tunnel face slightly decrease. Under saturated conditions, the increases in deflection and rotation become substantially greater. The model quantitatively evaluates water content’s influence on pipe roof mechanical behavior, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing support systems in water-rich strata.