ABSTRACT
Mechanical excavation is an increasingly popular technique for the construction of underground infrastructure. The advantages are mainly due to the high productivity of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), which offer substantial advantages, especially for long tunnels. During the design phase of a tunnel excavated with this method, mainly in areas with high overburden, it is crucial to identify potential problems and risks based on geotechnical test information. These tests are specific and do not provide a complete geotechnical picture of the entire tunnel. For this reason, analysing the machine parameters and monitoring the excavation are essential to understand the response of the rock mass during construction and to have an accurate simulation in the design stage.
