Mike Morano, PhD

University of Massachusetts Amherst

MS Thesis: Performance of Concrete Tunnel Systems Subject to Fault DisplacementA FEA investigation of concrete tunnel systems traversing seismic faults is carried out to determine how to effectively mitigate the stresses induced in the liner when subject to fault displacement. A parametric study of various fault parameters, both in the damage zone and competent rock, is carried out to determine the site conditions which induce the most stress on the tunnel liner system. Results indicate… Show more MS Thesis: Performance of Concrete Tunnel Systems Subject to Fault DisplacementA FEA investigation of concrete tunnel systems traversing seismic faults is carried out to determine how to effectively mitigate the stresses induced in the liner when subject to fault displacement. A parametric study of various fault parameters, both in the damage zone and competent rock, is carried out to determine the site conditions which induce the most stress on the tunnel liner system. Results indicate that friction angle, cohesion, and elastic modulus of fault zones have varying effects on the stresses induced on the liner. The use of flexible joints is investigated to mitigate the stresses induced by fault displacement and discussed. Several orientations, lengths and variations in relative stiffness of these flexible joints are investigated to determine their optimal effectiveness. Results show that this is an effective solution to mitigate stresses and resulting damages from fault displacement. Show less

University of California San Diego

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Activities and Societies: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) and Seismic Design Team