3D modelling the long-term ageing performance of a CERN tunnel

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dc.contributor.authorXiao, Zhipeng
dc.contributor.authorWang, Chao
dc.contributor.authorPeng, Chuanyang
dc.contributor.authorOsborne, John Andrew
dc.contributor.authorLi, Zili
dc.contributor.funderIrish Research Council, 713279
dc.contributor.funderEuropean Union's Horizon 2020, 713279
dc.date.accessioned2026-10-21T15:24:02Z
dc.date.available2026-10-21T15:24:02Z
dc.date.issued2026-03-06
dc.description.abstractMany operational tunnels worldwide experience progressive deformation due to hydraulic drainage failure, structural deterioration, ground rheological behaviour, and other factors. This study presents a three-dimensional finite element analysis of an ageing horseshoe-shaped tunnel at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), excavated in molasse rock, to investigate the effects of tunnel lining hydraulic and mechanical deterioration, marl swelling, ground layering, and ground permeability anisotropy. Hydraulic deterioration, caused by drainage clogging, is modelled by reducing lining permeability, while mechanical deterioration is represented by decreasing the lining stiffness. Model validation is conducted by comparing simulated results with geodetic and distributed fibre optic sensing (DFOS) data at a representative tunnel section. Parametric studies are then performed to assess the effects of ground layering and permeability anisotropy. Results show that: (1) hydraulic deterioration leads to vertical elongation, mechanical deterioration to tunnel contraction, and their combination to more severe deformation; (2) marl swelling is the dominant mechanism, with deterioration effects being secondary; (3) inclined tunnel alignment through stratified ground induces varying deformation modes due to geological heterogeneity; and (4) permeability anisotropy accelerates groundwater pressure buildup, amplifying vertical elongation. These findings highlight the complex interplay of deterioration and geological factors in ageing tunnels and demonstrate the need for 3D hydromechanical modelling to support long-term performance assessment and maintenance.en
dc.description.sponsorshipIrish Research Council|713279
dc.description.sponsorshipEuropean Union's Horizon 2020|713279|CLNE/2019/199
dc.description.versionPublished Version
dc.format.extent22
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.articleid100570
dc.identifier.authororcidXiao, Zhipeng
dc.identifier.authororcidWang, Chao
dc.identifier.authororcidPeng, Chuanyang
dc.identifier.authororcidOsborne, John Andrew
dc.identifier.authororcidLi, Zili§0000-0003-1312-0784
dc.identifier.citationXiao, Z, Wang, C, Peng, C, Osborne, J A & Li, Z 2026, '3D modelling the long-term ageing performance of a CERN tunnel', KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 30, no. 7, 100570, pp. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kscej.2026.100570
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.kscej.2026.100570
dc.identifier.endpage22
dc.identifier.issn1226-7988
dc.identifier.issued7
dc.identifier.journaltitleKSCE Journal of Civil Engineering
dc.identifier.startpage1
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/19488
dc.identifier.volume30
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier Inc.
dc.relation.urihttps://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105039437256
dc.rights© 2026, authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Korean Society of Civil Engineers. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
dc.rights.accessrightsopen access
dc.rights.licensenameAttribution 4.0 International
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.statusPeer reviewed
dc.subjectCERN tunnel
dc.subjectGeodetic and DFOS field monitoring
dc.subjectGround layering
dc.subjectGround permeability anisotropy
dc.subjectLong-term ageing performance
dc.subjectMarl swelling
dc.subjectNumerical modelling
dc.subjectTunnel hydromechanical deterioration
dc.subject[EngineeringArchitecture]
dc.title3D modelling the long-term ageing performance of a CERN tunnelen
dc.typeArticle (peer-reviewed)
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