Abstract: The immersed tube tunnel section of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link exhibits complex geological conditions and high back sludge strength. The tunnel cushion adopts the gravel and flaky stone combined cushion. The major influencing factors of the mechanical deformation characteristics of the gravel and flaky stone composite cushion are studied through a physical model experiment. The following results are reported. (1) The load–settlement curves of the flaky stone cushion become more compact with a dense increment under the design load. These curves can be regarded as nonlinear mechanical characteristics. The load–settlement curves of the gravel cushion and the gravel and flaky stone composite cushion exhibit the characteristics of a two-stage linear change. (2) The flatness of the top of flaky stone cushion considerably affects settlement and secant modulus. The flatness of the top of flaky stone should be ensured during construction. (3) Gradation and thickness exert no evident effect on the compressibility of a cushion. The preloading pressure caused by the construction height difference of the cushion materials plays an important role in improving the initial stiffness of a cushion and reducing initial settlement and overall settlement. (4) This study investigates the preloading under 30 kPa of the 0.7-m flaky stone and 1.0-m gravel combination cushion. It recommends the following secant modulus values: 48.89 MPa for the section of 0–30 kPa and 10.47 MPa for the section of 30–110 kPa.

Key words: Immersed tube tunnel; Gravel cushion; Model experiment; Deformation characteristics

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