Numerical Study of Shotcrete as Rock Support on Irregular Tunnel Surfaces

Effective rock support in tunnels often depends on the performance of load carrying shotcrete systems. Tunnels and underground openings in hard rock are often constructed with arch-shaped ceilings and complicated three dimensional geometries arise at intersections and crossings. This is further complicated due to the often irregular shape of the rock walls and the uneven shotcrete thickness. The project will deal with the interaction between rock and reinforcement consisting of shotcrete and rock bolts, including variations in rock geometries, shotcrete thickness and material compositions. The objective is to obtain an understanding of the behaviour of shotcrete as a construction material, from spraying until possible failure.