Evaluation of structural fatigue properties of metro tunnel by model test under dynamic load of high-speed railway

•A large-scale test of 1/10 was carried out to investigate the fatigue behavior of metro tunnels.•The complex dynamic load of high-speed trains was simplified to a simple sinusoidal wave by numerical simulation.•The judgment method of structural fatigue of segmental linings was put forward.•The prone position of fatigue failure was discussed in detail by comparing two different models.•Segmental linings can meet the operation requirements of metro tunnel under the influence of high-speed raliway.