This paper compared and analyzed different tunnel-backfilling schemes by conducting physical model tests,taking the cross-river immersed-tube tunnel at Xiahengli waterway as an example.The results showed that using backfilling materials with particle size of 40mm can effectively keep the tunnel safe and stable.When only backfilling the tunnel area and the core parts of both wings with toe strengthening,there would be no significant erosion at the tunnel area which would affect the safety of the tunnel.Therefore,it can be concluded that it is not necessary to conduct complete backfilling for achieve the effect of erosion-resistance and maintaining the stability of the riverbed above the tunnel.
cross-river tunnelphysical model testtunnel backfilling