Mechanism and Optimized Design Methodology of Steel Plate Reinforcement for Tunnel Lining Void Zones

Voids behind tunnel linings are common hidden defects in underground engineering, leading to reduced structural capacity and potential safety hazards. To address the deficiencies in the understanding of the mechanism and the optimization of design of the existing steel plate reinforcement methods, this study systematically investigates the reinforcement mechanisms and proposes refined design strategies through numerical simulations and experimental validation. First, a comparative analysis of the Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model and the Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) revealed that the CDP model exhibits superior accuracy and computational efficiency in simulating large-scale void linings. Second, the effectiveness of different reinforcement schemes (chemical anchor bolts alone, structural adhesive alone, and combined systems) was evaluated, demonstrating that structural adhesive dominates stress transfer, while chemical anchor bolts primarily prevent plate detachment. Through further optimization simulations of the steel plate spacing, it was found that a spacing of 0.25 m can balance the reinforcement effect and cost. This spacing restricts the maximum principal stress (1.83 MPa) below the tensile strength of concrete while essentially eliminating damage to the lower surface of the lining. An optimized steel plate reinforcement structure was ultimately proposed. By reducing the number of chemical anchor bolts and decreasing their size (with only M12 chemical anchor bolts arranged at the edges), local damage is minimized while maintaining reinforcement efficiency. The research results provide theoretical support and engineering guidance for the safe repair of tunnel void areas.