Convergence of circular tunnels in elastoplastic rock masses with non-linear failure criteria and non-associated flow laws

Abstract

This work provides new findings on the theory of non-associated plasticity applied to the study of convergence in tunnels. It focuses on elasto-plastic rock masses with linear and non-linear strength criteria and associated and non-associated flow laws. It seeks to obtain the “Characteristic Rock mass Curve” based on the “Convergence–Confinement” method. The results that are obtained are compared to other calculation procedures. Detailed mathematical expressions are proposed for implementation in a computer spreadsheet.