Numerical modeling of twin tunnels under seismic loading using the Finite Difference Method and Finite Element Method

Considerable advances in the development of user-friendly modeling code against the limitations of analytical methods have led to an increase in the utilization of numerical methods to predict the dynamic behavior of tunnel lining under seismic loading. This paper examines the seismic performance of the ZAM (Zaouit Ait Mellal) twin tunnels located between the cities of Marrakesh and Agadir in Morocco, using the Finite Difference Method (FDM) provided by FLAC 2D software, and Finite Element Method (FEM) provided by PLAXIS 2D software. The adopted simulated acceleration is obtained from an artificial earthquake event with free-field boundary conditions in the numerical models. Three points are chosen in the tunnel lining: two in the corner and one in the crown. The results show the evolution displacement during the dynamic time for each point, we note different distributions of values in FLAC compared with PLAXIS, which these differences are justified by the type of interface used in both programs. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Fourth edition of the International Conference on Materials & Environmental Science.