The important problem in designing a tunnel is how to estimate the earth pressure acting on the tunnel and the deformation of the ground. The ground settlement, especially for the case of shallow tunnels, must be carefully considered to minimize the effects on nearby structures. In this research, three-dimensional trapdoor experiments and a corresponding finite element analysis are conducted to investigate the mechanical behavior of a ground during a shallow tunnel excavation. By comparing the analytical results with experimental ones, it is found that the proposed analysis program can simulate the mechanism of trapdoor to a reasonable accuracy. Moreover, by examining the experimental and the analytical results in detail, the influence of the overburden to the mechanical behavior of an excavated ground is clarified. Finally, comparisons of the model tests, the numerical analysis and the calculation results from general design methods of tunnel works are demonstrated and discussed.
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