Tunnel lining with an arching structure constructed by soilbags

An arching structure supports the applied loads basically through its axially compressive forces, while soilbags have high strengths when they are compressed. In this paper, the possibility of constructing arching structures by using soilbags is investigated. It is investigated by performing 2D model tests on an aluminum rod mass under which an arching structure of paper-wrapped soilbags is located, constructing an arching structure of about 2m in inner width and 1.73m in inner height with connected soilbags that are made of polyethylene bag and sand and constructing an arching structure of 5m in inner width and 4.33m in inner height with special soilbags that are made of geotextile bag and crushed stone. Through these investigations, it is confident that it’s possible to construct arching structures with soilbags instead of stones or concrete and so on in real practices. This arching structure is intended to function as a tunnel lining when constructing a tunnel on a ground and then building a high embankment above the tunnel.