topic Re: Modelling Tunnel Ring Using Shell Elements in Robot Structural Analysis Forum

Modelling Tunnel Ring Using Shell Elements

STAATH64T — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:32:24 GMT

Hi community,

I am trying to create a 1 m wide shell element to simulate a tunnel ring.

I have assigned compression-only soil–structure interaction springs using the Foundation Elasticity parameters.

I have the following questions:

How do you account for the radial rotation of the ring in the model? Do you assign rotational springs about the y-axis, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the tunnel? If so, how is this typically implemented?
How do you model the joint connections between the individual segments?

I have attached my model for reference.

Thank you in advance for your time and help.

Best regards,
Stavros

Re: Modelling Tunnel Ring Using Shell Elements

Krzysztof_Wasik — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:20:25 GMT

HI @STAATH64T

To block rotation and displacement along segment length it is enough to define small nonzero Kx and Ky values in Parameters of foundation elasticity

Re: Modelling Tunnel Ring Using Shell Elements

lauri_barnhart — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:19:10 GMT

Welcome to the community, @STAATH64T.

Hope you are well. Following up to see if the information provided by Krzysztof_Wasik clarified your question. If it did, please consider clicking on the 'Accept Solution' button.

Thanks,