Mathematical analysis of the effect of tectonic stress on the stability of underground tunnels

Abstract

We present a no-tension elastic-plastic model and a numerical method for analysing the stability of underground tunnels. The governing equations include equations of motion and a nonlinear constitutive equation. A finite element numerical scheme is developed to solve the problem taking into account the presence of tectonic stresses in rock masses. The numerical scheme is then used to study the effect of the orientation and magnitude of the tectonic stresses on the distribution of stresses and yielding zones around the tunnels.