Tunnel Vaults under Seismic Excitation

Abstract

This chapter discusses factors that affect the seismic response of tunnels vaults, as the seismic ground motions, the geological condition and rock mechanics properties, and the relevance of numerical analysis, fundamental in the modeling of complex structures and processes, and in regional-scale analysis. As an example, this chapter focuses on the Laboratories of National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) located in a Tunnel within the Gran Sasso mountain (Abruzzo, Italy). In addition to the L'Aquila (2009) earthquake, the chapter refers to observations reported in the literature related to the İzmit earthquake, Turkey (1999); the Chi-Chi earthquake, Taiwan (1999); and the Kobe earthquake (2004); and, as historical event, the Kern County earthquake (1952).