Earth pressure and ground movements due to tunneling – model tests and analyses

In order to investigate the fundamental mechanism of the generation of earth pressure and the ground movement due to tunneling, 2D and 3D trap door tests and the corresponding elastoplastic finite element analyses are carried out. The analytical results agree well with the observed earth pressure and ground movements. These results depend not only on the geometrical condition but also on the construction sequence. In this sense, it is shown that the results in 3D model tests and analysis are different from those in 2D model tests and analyses, and that 3D analysis is necessary for good predictions.