Seismic behavior of mountain tunnel portal by shaking table tests

Tunnel portal sections have historically been more susceptible to earthquakes than other components, exhibiting significant seismic damage. However, critical seismic behaviors of portal sections remain unrevealed owing to insufficient consideration of actual topography. Moreover, the extent of asymmetric seismic responses induced by topography remains unclear, which is essential for seismic design. To overcome these limitations, this study replicated the actual geological conditions of a tunnel portal section, including the portal slope, topography, slope and tunnel supports, and the often-overlooked portal wall using large-scale shaking table tests. The asymmetric seismic responses and their impact ranges identified in the experiments were validated through numerical simulations. The results revealed that the seismic damage to the slope is attributable to the presence of the tunnel, with slope acceleration near the tunnel portal increasing by 20%–40% compared to slopes without a tunnel. Additionally, the tunnel facilitates seismic wave propagation in specific directions, leading to further seismic damage across the portal section. Portal walls, being exposed structures, are susceptible to higher seismic strain and acceleration than tunnel linings and thus warrant increased attention. Importantly, the asymmetric seismic response was found to vary based on different sides and influence ranges. Within 15 m of the portal, the tunnel was dominated by the open-side asymmetric response of acceleration, strain, and displacement. From 15-35 m range, the seismic response of the mountainside was more pronounced, exhibiting increased seismic earth pressure and stress on the right sidewall. Seismic earth pressure and stress diminished within the 35–75 m range and steadily decreased beyond 75 m. This enhanced understanding of seismic behaviors facilitates the targeted establishment of future seismic fortifications based on these classified ranges.