ABSTRACT
This paper presents the simulation results of the shield behaviour at start to use a copy cutter. The shield behaviour is obtained based on the equilibrium of the forces acting on the shield. The simulation results, such as the shield behaviour, the normal ground displacement and the normal earth pressure around the shield, indicate that the shield rotates towards the excavated area by copy cutter obviously, after the excavated area by copy cutter reaches about half-length of the shield. This fact coincides with the site experience, and also points out that the ground displacement around the shield periphery is a predominant factor affecting the shield behaviour. The results also confirm that the model of the loads acting on the shield could well simulate the shield behaviour in conjunction with the copy cutter effect.
