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Influence of Anisotropic Stress Conditions on Tunnel Deformation and Sequential Excavation Performance in Rock Mass

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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

This study looks at how anisotropic stress conditions affect the mechanical response of circular tunnels in rock mass using a finite element plane strain model. The deformation response and evolution of the yield zone are evaluated using a non-linear Hoek-Brown failure criterion. The results show that predictions made under the widely employed assumption of isotropic stress conditions significantly underestimate the deformations for in-situ stress ratios greater than 1.0 and overestimate the values for in-situ stress ratios less than 1 under full-face excavation. The pattern of the yield zone changes noticeably as the in-situ stress ratio changes. With stress anisotropy, the yield zone becomes asymmetric. When the in-situ stress ratio is less than 1.0, the yield zone concentrates on the sidewalls and transitions to the crown when the in-situ stress ratio assumes values greater than 1.0. Also, the effect of anisotropic stress conditions on the performance of two commonly used excavation support schemes is studied. The results emphasize the importance of consideration of the in-situ stress ratio for prediction of tunnel deformation and selection of sequential excavation schemes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, 333 031, India

    Anuj Adhikari & Nishant Roy

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  1. Anuj Adhikari
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  2. Nishant Roy
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Correspondence to Nishant Roy.

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Adhikari, A., Roy, N. Influence of Anisotropic Stress Conditions on Tunnel Deformation and Sequential Excavation Performance in Rock Mass. J Geol Soc India 99, 965–974 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-023-2417-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-023-2417-7

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