Abstract

The steel rib, one of the main support of tunnel, plays a very important role to stabilize tunnel excavation surface until shotcrete or rockbolt starts to perform a supporting function. In general, a steel rib at the horizontal tunnel is being installed in the direction of gravity which is known favorable in terms of constructability and stability. However, as the direction of principal stress at the inclined tunnel wall is different from that of gravity, the optimum direction of steel rib could be different from that at the horizontal tunnel. In this study, a numerical method was used to analyze the direction of force that would develope displacement at the inclined tunnel surface, and that direction could be the optimum direction of steel rib. The support efficiency of steel rib could be maximized when the steel rib was installed to resist the displacement of the tunnel. Three directions which were recommended for the inclined tunnels in the Korea Tunnel Design Standard were used for the numerical models of steel rib direction. In conclusion, the results show that all displacement angle of the models are almost perpendicular to the tunnel surface regardless of face angle. So if the steel rib would be installed perpendicular to the inclined tunnel surface, the support efficiency of steel rib could be maximized.