• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.339-347
• /
• 2008

This study was carried out to assess quantitatively the safety of a tunnel by using critical strains in the ground. Critical strain is a new material property of the ground. It can be applied as deformation limits in the ground due to excavation using the measured displacement at the tunnel construction site. To achieve this purpose, the critical strain concept was reviewed and applied to assess the tunnel safety. First of all, the calculated excavation displacements of a circular tunnel by commercial programs were investigated and inputted into a feedback analysis module to calculate strains in the ground. Then the safety of tunnels was evaluated based on the critical strain concept. Subsequently the measured displacements obtained in the field are utilized practically to assess the safety of tunnels using the critical strain concept. Through this study, it was confirmed that the critical strain concept is useful to assess the safety of tunnels quantitatively.