Analysis of Underground Renewable Energy Storage Tunnels Subjected to Capricious Superstructures

The construction and development of different modes of energy storage has been increased with urbanization and development of smart cities. The advent of modern underground excavation techniques in developing nations like India has put on swing the construction of underground storage. Explicit study of underground structures for different field scenario has been mandatory due to changing geology, influence of local infrastructure, variation in groundwater table, etc. The development of infrastructure facilities on the surface above or near tunnels is an unavoidable situation. Hence, it must be dealt with intense care due to its ability of significantly affecting the stability of underground structures. Further, it may also stimulus the design-parameters of underground facilities. The load intensity of the superstructure is an important parameter for stability of these structures. The present study describes a three-dimensional mathematical modelling of an underground tunnel. Simulation has been performed by using Abaqus, which is based on a continuum finite element. The elastoplastic Mohr–Coulomb constitutive model of the soil has been incorporated in analysis. The number of storey of a superstructure has been varied to assess the consequence of the superstructure on the behaviour of an underground energy storage tunnel. The numerical model has been modelled, and the load changes in a stepwise manner, no load to 50-storey building. The results are compared in terms of displacement and stresses generated in soil, and it has been observed that the construction of a structure has significant influence on an existing underground structure.