Abstract

Recently, the development of tunnel reinforcement method has been required relating to the shallow tunnelling in soft ground. In this study, the improvement method on tunnel stability is proposed by evaluating the efficiency of face reinforcement which enables to control extrusion of advance core, however, it is often neglected in urban tunnelling under the poor ground conditions. Systematic pre-confinement ahead of the face improves the tunnel stability, subsequently, displacement of the crown and surface settlement can be restrained by proper method. 3-dimensional numerical analysis including horizontal reinforcement modelling on a face is applied to estimate the behaviour of a tunnel in relation to the ground and reinforcement conditions. Consequently, extrusion at the face decreases significantly after using the horizontal reinforcement and the effect of reinforcement is much increased in case of applying the supplemental reinforcement ahead of the face together. Especially, confinement effect around the tunnel and the core is proved by means of the core reinforcement in poor ground conditions.