Numerical Simulation Analysis of the Jacking Force and Its Influencing Factors during the Vertical Tunneling Process

The development of underground space is fast because of the lack of space. To build shafts in underwater tunnels, the vertical tunneling method (VTM) was invented in 1974 in China, which can act as a freshwater intake or sewage outlet. During the operation of the VTM, the jacking force is one of the essential factors that draw attention. This paper conducts a numerical study of the jacking force and its influencing factors during the vertical tunneling process. First, based on the finite element software ABAQUS, a numerical model of the vertical tunneling process is established according to the VTM project in Beihai, China. Second, in accordance with the Latin hypercube sampling method and the multivariate significance analysis, the mechanical parameters are determined or back-analyzed. Then, the calculated jacking force of the numerical model is compared with the measured jacking force. It turns out that the changing trend of the jacking force in the numerical model and the measured jacking force is relatively consistent. Finally, the influencing factors of the jacking force, such as elastic modulus and the angle of internal friction, are analyzed based on the numerical model. The results show that the elastic modulus and the angle of internal friction of soil are the main influencing factors of the jacking force. The secondary factors are Poisson’s ratio, static earth pressure coefficient, unit weight, and cohesion.