Abstract
In this study, Matsuda's formula, which has been used to evaluate the acting load on the concrete pillar in 2-Arch tunnels, is investigated and a load reduction factor $({\alpha})$, which has been estimated from numerical parametric studies, is proposed for a better design of 2-Arch tunnels in the future. Numerical parametric studies show that the concrete pillar is subjected to a stress concentration on the excavation side during the first tunnel driving and when tunnel excavation is completed, the induced stress on the pillar in a poor quality of ground condition is 1.5 to 1.8 times the stress developed during the first tunnel driving. In addition, the numerical studies indicate that the acting load on the pillar is in the range of $14{\sim}83%$ of the load estimated by Matsuda's formula. From these results, a load reduction factor $({\alpha})$ is determined and it would make 2-Arch tunnel design more economically.