On the time-dependent effects in advancing tunnels

A finite element study is presented of the short-term effects that develop when a tunnel is driven in a ground showing viscous behaviour associated with the deviatoric deformations. Axisymmetric conditions around the tunnel centreline are assumed and the process of excavation is simulated by means of a step-by-step time incremental technique. The Kelvin's model is used to approximate the medium creep behaviour and a simple procedure is presented that allows the determination of the creep model constants from the laboratory test data. Various rates of advancing, the presence of an unsupported zone close to the tunnel face and the temporary interruption of the excavation process are considered. For the viscous model and the analytical technique used, simple, approximate relationships are presented for the displacements around the tunnel and the overexcavation volume as functions of the rate of excavation advancing.