ABSTRACT

The New Austrian Tunnelling Method is based on the effect that certain deformations activate stablising stresses in the soil around the tunnel excavation. Considering this deformation dependent behaviour of the soil in situ, only a part of the overburden pressure is acting on the shoterete lining. The influence of the excavation and the deformability of the lining on settlements in the overburden are important factors in the analysis of final tunnel loads. This report discusses firstly the results of centrifuge investigations related to this problem and points out one of the initial applications of the Bochum Geotechnical Centrifuge whilst in operation.