Experimental Research on Mechanical Behavior of Prefabricated Lightweight Utility Tunnel

Based on an actual engineering profect, a full-scale utility tunnel and a four-walled open-hole lightweight utility tunnel full-scale model were fabricated and static loading tests were carried out according to the actual load conditions. The crack development and damage of the utility tunnel after lightening, mode and changes in mechanical properties such as steel strain were explored, and the effect of lightweight on the performance of utility tunnel was studied. The results show that the ultimate bearing capacity, cracking load and stiffness of the utility tunnel decrease, but at load reduction of 16%, the ultimate bearing capacity can still reach the 1.3 times of the design value, and the hole opening can obtain well-distribution of the internal force of utility tunnel, meet the design requirements.