Extend Convergence-Confinement Method for deep tunnels in poroelastic anisotropic medium

Abstract

This paper is devoted to present a closed-form solution based on the approach of the conventional convergence-confinement method to study the effect of the movement of the tunnel face during the excavation on the stress-strain state of the surrounding medium and the interaction between the ground and the support for a deep tunnel in poroelastic anisotropic medium. In this study, a hydro-mechanical coupling behaviour of the ground at the steady-state of the groundwater flow will be taken into account. The obtained solution could be used as a quick tool to calibrate tunnels in elastic porous medium. Some numerical estimations indicate that, a hydro-mechanical model of the medium should be considered in tunnel design.