Correlation between ground motion parameters and lining damage indices for mountain tunnels

In order to study the interdependencies between the overall lining damage indices for mountain tunnels and ground motion parameters, a total of 89 ground motion records were selected for analysis. These records were divided into three groups: (1) near-field ground motion with velocity pulses, (2) near-field ground motion without velocity pulses, and (3) far-field ground motion. Calculations of Pearson's linear correlation coefficient have been used to clarify the grade of interrelationships between ground motion parameters. Further, nonlinear dynamic analyses were carried out on mountain tunnels to determine overall lining damage indices under seismic actions. Based on numerical results, linear correlation coefficients between ground motion parameters and overall lining damage indices for mountain tunnels were then calculated and analyzed. Overall lining damage indices were found to be highly correlated to the velocity-related seismic parameters but not so well correlated to spectra-related parameters.