Transient response analysis of a submerged floating tunnel under seismic and wave excitations

Abstract

In this study, a numerical procedure is described for the transient response analysis of a submerged floating tunnel with reference of a designed tunnel in Japan. Tension legs seizing the tunnel are simply modeled by a spring elements and the tunnel itself is assumed by two rigid bodies between which a flexible joint is used. A recorded seismic excitation is used while the wave load is calculated under a specific design condition. Hydro-damping and added mass are considered for numerically modeling the underwater condition. A numerical procedure is validated with compared to the previous results of the designed tunnel. Some modifications are proposed through the validating process in terms of modeling and analysis procedure. Eventually, the modified numerical procedure will be used in analyzing the transient response of a newly designed tunnel.he tunnel itself is assumed by two rigid bodies between which a flexible joint is used. A recorded seismic excitation is used while the wave load is calculated under a specific design condition. Hydro-damping and added mass are considered for numerically modeling the underwater condition. A numerical procedure is validated with compared to the previous results of the designed tunnel. Some modifications are proposed through the validating process in terms of modeling and analysis procedure. Eventually, the modified numerical procedure will be used in analyzing the transient response of a newly designed tunnel.