Abstract

The two dimensional behaviors of the existing upper tunnel and the ground at crossed area due to the excavation of a lower tunnel were studied experimentally. The model tests were conducted by changing the relative location of the existing upper tunnel and the lower tunnel. The results of the study show that a vertical earth pressure outside the loosened area was increased due to longitudinal arching effect same as a single tunnel. In case vertical distance between the upper and lower tunnel is 0.7 H and 1.0 H respectively (H is a height of the lower tunnel), vertical earth pressure increased in the loosened area behind the tunnel face. But when a vertical distance is 1.3 H, ground behaviors appeared similarly to a single tunnel.