Numerical Simulation Analysis of the Full-Section Immersed Tube with the Post-Pouring Belt under Hydration Reaction

To study the force and deformation characteristics of a full-section immersed tube with post-pouring belt under the action of hydration reaction, the numerical model of full-section immersed tube with post-pouring belt was established by using MIDAS FEA (V2013) finite element analysis software, and the stress, cracking and deformation of the segment of the post-pouring belt were analyzed. The results show that under the action of hydration reaction, the concrete reaches the highest temperature at about 36 h, which appears at the roof of the tube gallery in the immersed tube, and the bottom steel plate expands rapidly initially, and subsequently shrinks gradually. The outer surface of the post-pouring segment concrete is stretched, and the internal region is under pressure, and as the internal temperature of the concrete cools down, the bottom plate starts to contract. The steel bar connection between the post-pouring belt and the surrounding immersed tube segment will increase the risk of cracking in the bottom plate of the full-section immersed tube. When only the steel bars in the bottom plate are connected, the maximum tensile stress of the immersed tube bottom plate will increase by 16.0% compared to the no connection case. If the steel bars of the immersed tube’s web and roof are also connected, the maximum tensile stress will increase by over 20%. By connecting the steel bars, the peripheral tube section plays a certain role in limiting the transverse deformation of the post-pouring belt and constraining the reinforcement of the bottom plate and web (and roof) can reduce the transverse deformation of the immersed tube to a great extent, reducing the proportion by over 10%.

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