Tunnel collapse roof collapse disposal structure
By setting up enclosure, protection, and backfill structures at the tunnel collapse site, combined with surface greening restoration, the problems of excessive backfill material and long construction time in existing technologies have been solved, achieving rapid and stable collapse and roof fall treatment and greening restoration.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUIZHOU TRANSPORTATION PLANNING SURVEY & DESIGN ACADEME
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for handling tunnel collapses and roof falls require a large amount of backfill material and excessive cleanup work, which prolongs the handling time and increases construction risks and workload.
The system employs a combination of closed structure, protective structure, backfill structure, and surface greening restoration structure. It consists of an arched protective steel frame, a shotcrete layer on the arch top, a rubber cladding layer, a shotcrete layer on the side walls, anchor cables, waste tires, and lightweight backfill soil. This combination seals the collapsed cavity and reinforces the side walls, enabling rapid backfilling and surface greening restoration.
It significantly shortened the time for dealing with collapses and roof falls, reduced the amount of construction work, improved the structural stability of the tunnel arch, and enabled the restoration of greenery.
Smart Images

Figure CN224174103U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a structure for dealing with tunnel collapses and roof falls, belonging to the field of tunnel disaster management technology. Background Technology
[0002] During construction and operation, highway tunnels are susceptible to collapse accidents of varying degrees due to changes in the geological and hydrological environment, human factors, and design and construction defects. In highway engineering, tunnels are defined as shallow-buried tunnels when the thickness of the overburden layer (i.e., the thickness of the overburden layer) does not exceed twice the width of the tunnel excavation section. Because the overburden layer at the crown of shallow-buried tunnels is relatively thin, these sections face greater geological risks and technical challenges during construction and operation. A collapse of the crown can directly escalate into a roof collapse accident. To minimize the impact and losses from collapses, timely handling of roof collapses is necessary.
[0003] Chinese patent document CN114483176A discloses a method for handling the collapse and roof fall of a vertical shaft at the tunnel entrance, including the following steps: S1: Backfilling the collapsed area inside the tunnel up to the bottom of the collapsed vertical shaft; S2: Then backfilling the vertical shaft; S3: After the vertical shaft is backfilled, driving anchor bolts into the shaft wall from the bottom of the shaft inside the tunnel; S4: Then driving anchor bolts into the shaft wall from the shaft entrance inside the tunnel; S5: After the anchor bolt support is completed, removing the excess backfill material at the bottom of the shaft, clearing the tunnel, and rebuilding the initial support. The specific steps of step S1 include: backfilling the collapsed area inside the tunnel to the bottom of the vertical shaft using a spoil backfilling method. This method has low construction risk, requires fewer personnel during the collapse treatment process, reduces construction risk, and more effectively ensures construction safety.
[0004] However, the collapse and roof fall treatment method provided by the above-mentioned method adopts the treatment method of "first setting up a counter-pressure backfill body at the collapse site in the tunnel to support the backfill material poured in the shaft, and then chiseling away the excess backfill material at the bottom of the shaft and removing the counter-pressure backfill body", which greatly increases the workload of collapse and roof fall treatment and prolongs the collapse and roof fall treatment time. Utility Model Content
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a structure for dealing with tunnel collapses and roof falls.
[0006] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:
[0007] A tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure includes a sealing structure, a protective structure, a backfill structure, and a surface greening restoration structure. The sealing structure is located at the cavity formed by the collapse and roof fall in the tunnel arch. The protective structure is located on the side wall of the collapsed cavity above the sealing structure. The backfill structure is located inside the protective structure and is located on the sealing structure. The surface greening restoration structure is located on the backfill structure.
[0008] The collapsed cavity has a shape and size that gradually expands from bottom to top.
[0009] The closed structure includes an arc-shaped arch support steel frame, a sprayed concrete layer at the arch top, and a rubber coating. The arc-shaped arch support steel frame is installed at the cavity formed by the collapse and fall at the tunnel arch top. The sprayed concrete layer at the arch top is installed at the lower part of the arc-shaped arch support steel frame and seals the internal holes of the arc-shaped arch support steel frame, as well as the gaps between the arc-shaped arch support steel frame and the sidewalls of the collapsed cavity and the tunnel invert arch. The rubber coating is installed on the arc-shaped arch support steel frame.
[0010] The rubber sheathing includes multiple rubber blocks laid on the arched steel frame, and rubber pads laid on all the rubber blocks.
[0011] The protective structure includes a sidewall shotcrete layer and multiple anchor cables. The sidewall shotcrete layer is located on the sidewall of the collapsed cavity, and one end of each anchor cable is connected to the sidewall shotcrete layer, while the other end extends downward into the mountain surrounding the collapsed cavity.
[0012] The anchor cables are arranged perpendicular to the sidewall of the collapsed cavity.
[0013] The backfill structure includes backfill soil and multiple waste tires. The multiple waste tires are stacked in layers from bottom to top in the cavity. The backfill soil is filled inside the waste tires and in the gaps between adjacent waste tires.
[0014] The waste tires in the adjacent upper and lower layers are arranged alternately, and the waste tires are arranged tangentially to the adjacent waste tires in the same layer.
[0015] The waste tires are tied to adjacent waste tires in the same layer and the layers above and below by binding steel bars, and the waste tires near the side wall of the collapsed cavity are connected to the protective structure by binding steel bars.
[0016] The backfill soil is a lightweight soil mixed with air bubbles.
[0017] The surface greening restoration structure includes planting soil embedded in the backfill structure and native vegetation planted on the planting soil.
[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: It seals the cavity formed by the collapse and roof fall in the tunnel arch using a sealing structure; it reinforces the sidewalls of the collapsed cavity using a protective structure; it backfills the collapsed cavity using a backfilling structure; and it further backfills the collapsed cavity to its original surface using a surface greening restoration structure, while also restoring the surface greening at the upper end of the collapsed cavity. Compared with existing technologies, it eliminates the need for counter-pressure backfill at the collapse site within the tunnel, thus eliminating the need for subsequent removal of the counter-pressure backfill. Furthermore, the absence of excess backfill material eliminates the need for subsequent removal, significantly reducing the workload and time required for handling collapses and roof falls. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.
[0020] In the diagram: 1-Tunnel, 2-Arch-shaped steel arch support, 3-Shotcrete layer on the arch top, 4-Rubber coating, 5-Shotcrete layer on the side walls, 6-Anchor cable, 7-Waste tire, 8-Backfill soil, 9-Planting soil. Detailed Implementation
[0021] The technical solution of this utility model is further described below, but the scope of protection is not limited to what is described.
[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure of this utility model includes a sealing structure, a protective structure, a backfilling structure, and a surface greening restoration structure. The sealing structure is located at the cavity formed by the collapse and roof fall at the tunnel 1 arch. The protective structure is located on the side wall of the collapsed cavity above the sealing structure. The backfilling structure is located inside the protective structure and is located on the sealing structure. The surface greening restoration structure is located on the backfilling structure. In use, the sealing structure seals the cavity formed by the collapse and roof fall at the tunnel 1 arch, the protective structure reinforces the side wall of the collapsed cavity, the backfilling structure backfills the collapsed cavity, and the surface greening restoration structure further backfills the collapsed cavity to the original surface, restoring the surface greening at the upper end of the collapsed cavity. Compared with existing technologies, it is not necessary to set up counter-pressure backfill at the collapse site in Tunnel 1, and there is no need to remove the counter-pressure backfill afterward; in addition, there is no excess backfill material, so there is no need to remove excess backfill material afterward, which significantly reduces the workload and time required for handling collapses and roof falls.
[0023] The collapsed cavity has a shape and size that gradually expands from bottom to top. This allows the backfill structure located inside the collapsed cavity to transfer part of the load to the surrounding soil and rock through the sidewalls of the collapsed cavity, thereby reducing the load exerted by the backfill structure on the arch of tunnel 1 and helping to improve the structural stability of the arch of tunnel 1.
[0024] The closed structure includes an arc-shaped arch support steel frame 2, a sprayed concrete layer 3 on the arch top, and a rubber coating 4. The arc-shaped arch support steel frame 2 is located at the cavity formed by the collapse and fall at the arch top of tunnel 1. The sprayed concrete layer 3 is located at the lower part of the arc-shaped arch support steel frame 2 and seals the internal holes of the arc-shaped arch support steel frame 2, as well as the gaps between the arc-shaped arch support steel frame 2 and the side wall of the collapsed cavity and the invert arch of tunnel 1. The rubber coating 4 is located on the arc-shaped arch support steel frame 2.
[0025] The rubber sheath 4 includes multiple rubber blocks laid on the arched protective steel frame 2, and rubber pads laid on all the rubber blocks.
[0026] The protective structure includes a sidewall shotcrete layer 5 and multiple anchor cables 6. The sidewall shotcrete layer 5 is located on the sidewall of the collapsed cavity. One end of each of the multiple anchor cables 6 is connected to the sidewall shotcrete layer 5, and the other end extends downward into the mountain surrounding the collapsed cavity.
[0027] The anchor cable 6 is arranged perpendicular to the side wall of the collapsed cavity.
[0028] The backfill structure includes backfill soil 8 and multiple waste tires 7. The multiple waste tires 7 are stacked in layers from bottom to top in the cavity. The backfill soil 8 is filled inside the waste tires 7 and in the gaps between adjacent waste tires 7.
[0029] The waste tires 7 in the adjacent upper and lower layers are arranged alternately, and the waste tires 7 are arranged tangentially to the adjacent waste tires 7 in the same layer.
[0030] The waste tires 7 are tied to adjacent waste tires 7 in the same layer and the upper and lower layers by binding steel bars, and the waste tires 7 near the side wall of the collapsed cavity are connected to the protective structure by binding steel bars.
[0031] The backfill soil 8 is a lightweight soil mixed with air bubbles.
[0032] The surface greening restoration structure includes planting soil 9 embedded in the backfill structure and native vegetation planted on the planting soil 9. During use, planting soil 9 is filled inside the top layer of waste tires 7, in the gaps between the top layers of waste tires 7, and on top of the top layer of waste tires 7. This utilizes the binding force and water retention of the waste tires 7 on the planting soil 9 to quickly achieve surface greening restoration.
[0033] The tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure provided by this utility model includes the following construction methods:
[0034] Step 1: Remove the remaining saturated soft soil from the collapsed cavity.
[0035] Step 2: Construct a sealing structure to seal the cavity formed by the collapse at the top of Tunnel 1. This specifically includes:
[0036] Step 1: Install the arched steel frame 2 into the cavity formed by the collapse and fall at the top of Tunnel 1, ensuring that the arched steel frame 2 is securely connected to the original support structure of Tunnel 1 and the surrounding rock mass. During use, the area of the arched steel frame 2 must completely cover the cavity formed by the collapse and fall at the top of Tunnel 1. Securely connecting the arched steel frame 2 to the original support structure of Tunnel 1 and the surrounding rock mass ensures the stability of the arched steel frame 2 in supporting the backfill structure and the surface greening restoration structure.
[0037] Step 2: Inside Tunnel 1, spray concrete is applied to the arch-shaped protective arch steel frame 2 to form an arch-top spray concrete layer 3. This layer seals the internal holes of the arch-shaped protective arch steel frame 2, as well as the gaps between the arch-shaped protective arch steel frame 2 and the sidewalls of the collapsed cavity and the invert arch of Tunnel 1. The arch-top spray concrete layer 3 completely seals the voids formed by the collapse and roof fall at the arch of Tunnel 1.
[0038] Step 3: Install the rubber sheath 4 on the arched protective steel frame 2, thus forming a closed structure. The rubber sheath 4 serves as a protective layer for the arched protective steel frame 2 and seals the upper cross-section of the collapsed cavity, preventing soil and rock from sliding down the sidewalls of the collapsed cavity into the space enclosed by the shotcrete layer 3 at the arch crown and the arched protective steel frame 2. Furthermore, the rubber sheath 4 also serves as the bottom surface of the backfill structure.
[0039] In step 2, the strength grade of the shotcrete shall not be lower than C25;
[0040] The rubber sheath 4 includes multiple rubber blocks laid on the arched steel frame 2 to fill and level the uneven surface of the tunnel 1 arch, and a whole rubber pad laid on all the rubber blocks.
[0041] Step 3: Construction of protective structures. Slope protection is implemented for the sidewalls of the collapsed cavity between the enclosed structure and the ground surface. This specifically includes:
[0042] Step A: Bury multiple anchor cables 6 in the mountain surrounding the collapsed cavity, and extend one end of the anchor cable 6 to the side wall of the collapsed cavity;
[0043] Step B: Apply shotcrete to the sidewall of the collapsed cavity to form a shotcrete layer 5, and connect the shotcrete layer 5 to the anchor cables 6 (forming a unified structure). This completes the construction of the protective structure. The protective structure protects the slope of the collapsed cavity sidewall, ensuring timely slope reinforcement and preventing small-scale collapses or rockfalls. The protective structure is formed using a shotcrete and anchor method, with shotcrete applied across the entire cross-section of the backfill line to form the shotcrete layer 5. During use, the end of the anchor cable 6 connected to the shotcrete layer 5 extends beyond the shotcrete layer 5.
[0044] In step B, the strength grade of the shotcrete shall not be lower than C25.
[0045] Step 4: Backfilling the Collapsed Cavity. Specifically, waste tires 7 are stacked in layers from bottom to top within the collapse cavity. After each layer of waste tires 7 is laid, backfill soil 8 is filled into the inner side of the waste tires 7 and into the gaps between adjacent waste tires 7 within the same layer. The backfill soil 8 is then compacted, thus forming the backfill structure. The number of layers of waste tires 7 used is determined based on the depth of the collapse cavity and the width of the waste tires 7. Small machinery is used to compact the backfill soil 8. Using waste tires 7 and backfill soil 8 together for rapid backfilling of the collapse cavity, forming a prefabricated construction method, can significantly shorten the time required to handle collapses and roof falls.
[0046] The waste tires 7 in the adjacent upper and lower layers are arranged alternately, and the waste tires 7 are arranged tangentially with the adjacent waste tires 7 in the same layer. The waste tires 7 near the side wall of the collapsed cavity are cut according to the size of the remaining space between them and the side wall of the collapsed cavity to ensure that the collapsed cavity is fully covered with waste tires 7.
[0047] During use, small holes are made on the contact surfaces of the waste tires 7, and then binding steel bars are inserted into these holes to bind adjacent waste tires 7 in the same layer and the layers above and below, thereby improving the integrity and stability of the backfill structure. Simultaneously, the waste tires 7 near the sidewall of the collapsed cavity are fixedly connected to the anchor heads of the anchor cables 6 in the protective structure via binding steel bars, thus integrating the backfill structure and the protective structure to share the load. From the perspective of load transfer mechanism, the waste tires 7 transfer a portion of the load from the backfill structure on the tunnel 1 arch to the surrounding soil and rock through the protective structure, thus reducing the load and preventing excessive load on the tunnel 1 arch. The backfill soil 8 is made of aerated lightweight soil to minimize the weight of the backfill structure, thereby reducing the load on the tunnel 1 invert arch.
[0048] Step 5: Construct a surface greening restoration structure on the backfill structure to further backfill the collapsed cavity to the original surface.
Claims
1. A structure for handling tunnel collapses and roof falls, characterized in that: It includes a closed structure, a protective structure, a backfill structure and a surface greening restoration structure. The closed structure is located at the cavity formed by the collapse and fall at the arch of the tunnel (1). The protective structure is located on the side wall of the collapsed cavity above the closed structure. The backfill structure is located inside the protective structure and is located on the closed structure. The surface greening restoration structure is located on the backfill structure.
2. The tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The collapsed cavity has a shape and size that gradually expands from bottom to top.
3. The tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The closed structure includes an arc-shaped arch support steel frame (2), a sprayed concrete layer (3) on the arch top, and a rubber coating (4). The arc-shaped arch support steel frame (2) is located at the cavity formed by the collapse and fall at the arch top of the tunnel (1). The sprayed concrete layer (3) on the arch top is located at the lower part of the arc-shaped arch support steel frame (2) and seals the internal holes of the arc-shaped arch support steel frame (2) and the gap between the arc-shaped arch support steel frame (2) and the side wall of the collapsed cavity and the invert arch of the tunnel (1). The rubber coating (4) is located on the arc-shaped arch support steel frame (2).
4. The tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The rubber sheath (4) includes multiple rubber blocks laid on the arc-shaped protective arch steel frame (2), and rubber pads laid on all the rubber blocks.
5. The tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The protective structure includes a sidewall shotcrete layer (5) and multiple anchor cables (6). The sidewall shotcrete layer (5) is located on the sidewall of the collapse cavity. One end of each of the multiple anchor cables (6) is connected to the sidewall shotcrete layer (5), and the other end extends downward into the mountain surrounding the collapse cavity.
6. The tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The anchor cable (6) is arranged perpendicular to the side wall of the collapsed cavity.
7. The tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The backfill structure includes backfill soil (8) and multiple waste tires (7). The multiple waste tires (7) are stacked in layers from bottom to top in the cavity. The backfill soil (8) is filled inside the waste tires (7) and in the gaps between adjacent waste tires (7).
8. The tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The waste tires (7) in the adjacent upper and lower layers are arranged in an alternating manner, and the waste tires (7) are arranged tangentially to the adjacent waste tires (7) in the same layer.
9. The tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The waste tires (7) are tied to adjacent waste tires (7) in the same layer and the upper and lower layers by binding steel bars, and the waste tires (7) close to the side wall of the collapsed cavity are connected to the protective structure by binding steel bars. The backfill soil (8) is a bubble-mixed lightweight soil.
10. The tunnel collapse and roof fall treatment structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The surface greening restoration structure includes planting soil (9) embedded in the backfill structure and native vegetation planted on the planting soil (9).
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Tunnel portal section vertical shaft through type collapse and roof fall disposal method
CN114483176A