ABSTRACT
Due to the non-linear nature of Hoek–Brown (HB) model, it is difficult to determine the equivalent parameters of Mohr–Coulomb (MC) model suited to all cases related to underground excavations in the HB rock mass. This paper proposes an equivalent MC model that could be employed to describe the HB rock mass around a deep-buried tunnel. The corresponding solutions could approximate the elasto-plastic responses within the actual plastic extent around the deep-buried tunnel constructed in the HB rock mass. The analytical results for the deep-buried tunnel have validated the present method for evaluating the equivalent MC model parameters.
