Developing an Analytical Method to Study Vertical Stress Due to Soil Arching During Tunnel Construction

Abstract

Due to displacement constraints, the soil arching effect only plays a partial function during tunnel construction. When the shear stress of soil is less than anticipated relative to its shear strength, Terzaghi vertical stress on the soil arch is not reasonable. A calculation method of the lateral pressure coefficient was developed based on a previous research. The results show that the value of the lateral pressure coefficient varies between active and passive earth pressure coefficients. Subsequently, vertical stress was proposed by considering partially developed soil arching effect. On this basis, a simplified method to predict the arching effect zone associated with tunneling was drawn by studying the soil arch height. Finally, an analytical method for supporting force of the lining and tunnel vault displacement was developed considering the stiffness of the tunnel lining.