Centrifuge Model Test on tunnel excavation

Abstract

This paper describes centrifuge model tests concerning tunnel deformation and stability on condition that overburden height is small and ground strength is small. Model tests procedures are followings. Model ground with tunnel (φ95mm) in ground was made by soil cement that strength was qu≈250kN/m². After model preparation, centrifuge gravity was increased until failure. The main results are as follows.(1) Settlement of ground surface increased with rising of centrifuge acceleration.(2) The collapse above of the tunnel was observed when model overburden height reached about 7-10m.