Elasto-plastic Behavior of Raghadan Tunnel Based on RMR and Hoek-Brown Classifications

Lining contact pressure and ground deformation of Raghadan transportation tunnel (Amman, Jordan) were investigated. The tunnel is 1.1 km in length and 13.5 m in diameter. This study was intended to integrate useful relations among the widely used rock classification system (RMR: rock mass rating), Hoek-Brown classification, and liningground interaction. The materials encountered along the tunnel alignment were limestone, dolomatic limestone, marly limestone, dolomite, and sillicified limestone. The ground conditions along the tunnel alignment including bedding planes, joint sets and joint conditions, rock quality, water flow, and rock strength were evaluated based on the drilled boreholes and rock exposures. Elasto-plastic finite element analyses were conducted to study the effect of rock mass conditions and tunnel face advance on the behavior of lining-ground interaction. The results of the analyses showed that lining contact pressure decreases linearly with the increase in RMR value. Also the results showed that tunnel lining contact pressure and crown inward displacement decreases with the increase in the unsupported distance (distance between tunnel face and the end of the erected lining). Ground displacement above the tunnel crown was found to be increases in an increasing rate with the decrease in the depth above the crown. This displacement was also found to be affected by the RMR value and the unsupported distance.