A number of 1/5 scale normal concrete (NC), reinforced concrete (RC), Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) and reinforced ECC (R/ECC) tunnel lining specimens were tested under vertical loading applied at the mid-top of the crown and the mechanical behaviours were analysed. Four lining FE models were established and compared in detail with the test data. Subsequently, numerical analysis of NC lining strengthening methods for different damage levels was performed. The NC linings exhibiting different damage levels were strengthened by either RC arch, ECC arch, R/ECC arch, steel plate and carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheet. The mechanical behaviour of the retrofitted NC linings was analysed, and the strengthening effects were thoroughly evaluated. The results showed that the load-bearing capacity and ductility of NC linings retrofitted by R/ECC arch were better than NC linings strengthened by ECC arch or RC arch. The steel plate and CFRP sheet retrofitted NC linings resulted in lower load-carrying capacities compared with linings strengthened by arches. For the plate strengthening methods, when the damage level of the strengthened NC lining is lower, more pronounced strengthening effects could be attained compared with the highly damaged linings.