Design and Finite Element Analysis of a New Type of Skeleton-Free, Traversing Secondary Lining Trolley

To effectively address the challenge where the speed of tunnel lining construction struggles to match that of tunnel face and inverted arch construction, and to enhance the quality of secondary lining, a new type of skeleton-free, traversing secondary lining trolley has been developed. This trolley features a set of gantries paired with two sets of formwork. The formwork adopts a multi-segment hinged and strengthened design, ensuring its own strength can meet the requirements of secondary lining concrete pouring without relying on the support of the gantries. When retracted, the formwork can be transported by the gantries through another set of formwork in the supporting state, enabling early formwork support, effectively accelerating the construction progress of the tunnel’s secondary lining, and extending the maintenance time of the secondary lining with the formwork. Finite element software modeling was used for simulation calculations, and the results indicate that the structural strength, stiffness, and other performance parameters of the new secondary lining trolley meet the design requirements, verifying the rationality of the design.