ABSTRACT
The use of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) over conventional tunnel excavation methods has increased significantly over recent decades due to enhanced health and safety, reduced costs and construction times, and better quality of construction. Consequently, segmental lining and joint behaviour has been extensively studied, since the radial and circumferential joint performance impacts the stiffness and structural capacity of the rings. Accounting for these joints in a 3D model is time-consuming. Therefore, a digital tool has been developed to allow parametric creation of a 3D segmental lining tunnel mesh for both continuous and tunnel linings with openings to aid the design of running tunnels and junctions between tunnels with adits and cross-passages. During testing, the tool has demonstrated its flexibility and user-friendly workflow, proving to be a powerful instrument for structural and geotechnical finite element modelling. A case study is presented in this paper to show the benefits of the tool.
