Study on the compatibilization of hierarchical models for tunnel design

Abstract This work presents a study on the compatibilization of the lining load results between continuous ground mass and bedded beam models for tunnel design, through the calibration of the loads imposed to the bedded beam models. A review on compatibilization premises and the computation of “ideal” compatibilization loads, which yield identical results between model hierarchies is presented. A case study was developed, illustrating that even with significant simplification of the calibrated loads, if they bear magnitude and distribution that resembles those of the “ideal” compatibilization load, reasonable compatibility, potentially better than that of usual generic imposed loads, may be obtained. Motivated by this observation, a parametric study on the magnitude and distribution of the “ideal” compatibilization load was performed, yielding conclusions that foresee the estimation of simplified compatibilization loads directly from the physical problem definition.