Evaluation of Effective Parameters on the Underground Tunnel Stability Using BEM

Abstract

There are various parameters that affect stability and expansion of failure zones in under pressure tunnels. Among the important parameters that affect failure zones around the tunnels are cohesion and internal friction angle of the rock mass. In addition, the cross sectional shape is the considerable point in failure distribution around the tunnels. The stress analysis method is one of the applicable methods for evaluating stability and recognizing failure zones in underground tunnels. On the other hand, numerical stress analysis method, because of obtaining results with simplicity and desirable accuracy, is one of the best methods in stability evaluation of the tunnels. The Boundary Element Method (BEM) has unique advantages in stability analysis of infinite continuums. In this paper, using Hoek-Brown failure criteria and also BEM, failure zones around the tunnels with various section shapes are studied numerically and the effects of cohesion and internal friction angle of rock mass on formation and distribution of failure radii are evaluated. It deserves mentioning that the behavior of the rock mass around the tunnels is assumed to be elastic and the formulations are based on plane strain.