Softening Deformation Characteristics of Tuff Gully Tunnels Under Heavy Rainfall Infiltration and Their Influence on Stability

Heavy rainfall infiltration is a key disaster-inducing factor that triggers the softening of surrounding rock and deformation of support structures in tuff gully tunnels. Based on the gully section of the left line of the Dabao Tunnel of the Leigongshan–Rongjiang Expressway in Guizhou Province, this study systematically reveals the synergistic disaster-inducing mechanism of “topography-seepage-softening” in tuff gully tunnels under heavy rainfall infiltration through laboratory tests and FLAC3D 3D numerical simulations. The main innovative conclusions are as follows: (1) The “phased” attenuation law of tuff mechanical parameters was quantified, and the critical water content for significant strength deterioration was determined to be 2.5%, with a saturated softening coefficient of 0.59. These results provide key data for early warning and evaluation of similar projects. (2) A “convergence-disorder” distribution pattern of pore water pressure controlled by gully topography was revealed. It was found that the rock mass directly below the aqueduct exhibits a disordered zone with downward-extending pore water pressure due to fluid convergence, with the maximum pore water pressure reaching 0.55 MPa. This clarifies the essence that tunnel stability is controlled by the coupling of topography and seepage field. (3) The key sensitive areas for tunnel stability—namely the gully bottom, arch haunches, and the area below the aqueduct—were accurately identified. The significant increase in displacement of these areas after rock stratum softening was quantified (e.g., the displacement at the crown of the secondary lining increased from 3 mm to 4 mm, and the influence range expanded to the arch haunches). This study clarifies the deformation characteristics and instability mechanism of tuff gully tunnels under heavy rainfall from two aspects: the “internal mechanism of rock mass softening” and the “external condition of topographic seepage control.” It can provide a theoretical basis and key technical pathway for disaster prevention and control as well as stability design of similar tunnels.