ABSTRACT
A tunneling model tests, simulated by a trapdoor apparatus, are performed in the ground with inclined layers using aluminum blocks. The 60-degree formation with highly inclined layers shows the most significant feature on the non-symmetrical distribution of the earth pressure on the upper part of the trapdoor, while the 45-degree formation with moderately inclined layers shows that feature on the outer parts of the trapdoor. In order to verify the experimental results, a numerical simulation by the FE analysis is conducted using joint elements to explain the discontinuous behaviors of the model ground. By calculating the distributions of earth pressure and surface profiles with the trapdoor displacement, it is confirmed that the calculated results can reasonably explain the experimental results within lower displacements of about 1.00 mm.
