Nonlinear analyses for the couple problem of temperature, seepage and stress fields in cold region tunnels

In this paper, a mathematical mechanical model and the governing differential equation of the coupled problem of temperature, seepape and stress fields with phase change are first derived from the theory of heat transfer, the theory of seepage and frozen soil mechanics. Then the finite element formulae of this problem are obtained from Galerkin′s method. Finally, an illustrative example of the temperature field and stress field in a cold regions tunnel, considering the seepage and frost heaving force influence,is provided. The example shows that the influence of frost heaving forces on the stresses of the tunnel lining is very large and, thus, the effect of this factor on the tunnel lining should be taken into account in the engineering design.