Prediction of structural forces of segmental tunnel lining using FEM based artificial neural network

Abstract

To judge about the performance of designed support system for tunnels, structural forces i.e. peak values of axial and shear forces and moments are critical parameters. So in this study, at first a complete database using finite element method was prepared. Then, a model of artificial neural network (ANN) using multi-layer perceptron was developed to estimate lining structural forces. Sensitivity analysis showed that among input variables, the cover of the tunnel is most influencing variable. To prove the efficiency of developed ANN model, coefficient of efficiency (CE), coefficient of correlation (R2), variance account for (VAF), and root mean square error (RMSE) calculated. Obtained results demonstrated a promising precision and high efficiency of the presented ANN method to estimate the structural forces of tunnel lining composed from concrete segments instead of alternative costly and tedious solutions.