Comparison between design methods applied to segmental tunnel linings

Development of the underground construction system in urban areas in Vietnam, such as Hanoi capital and Ho Chi Minh city, plays an important role to improve the public infrastructures. As most of the tunnels driven in urban areas using mechanized tunnelling method, segmental linings will be utilized in this project. One of the most important aspects during the design of a segmental tunnel lining is to consider the effect of segmental joints on its overall behaviour. This paper has the aim to introduce comparative results of calculated internal forces obtained by using analytical analyses, that is, Einstein & Schwartz's method, elastic equation method, and a two-dimensional numerical analysis, in which the effects of segmental joints have been taken into account. A cross-section of a twin bored tunnels of the Nhon - Hanoi Railway station section of the Hanoi pilot light metro has been used as a case studied.