Modelling tunnelling-induced deformation in stiff soils with a hyperelastic–plastic anisotropic model

In this paper, the tunnelling-induced deformation in anisotropic stiff soils is analysed using FE modelling. The influence of material description is investigated rather than an advanced simulation of the tunnelling method. A new hyperelastic–plastic model is proposed to describe the anisotropic mechanical behaviour of stiff highly overconsolidated soil. This model can reproduce the superposition of variable stress-induced anisotropy and constant inherent cross-anisotropy of the small strain stiffness. Additionally, a Brick-type framework accounts for the strain degradation of stiffness. Formulation of the novel model is presented. The tunnelling-induced deformation is first investigated in plane strain conditions for a simple boundary value problem of homogeneous ground. The influence of initial stress anisotropy and inherent cross-anisotropy is inspected. Later, the results of 2D simulations are compared with the analogous results of 3D simulations considering different excavated length of the tunnel sections. The tunnelling process is reproduced by introduction of a supported excavation and a lining contraction stage in undrained conditions. Finally, the tunnelling case study at St James Park is back analysed using the proposed material model in plane strain conditions. The obtained calculation results are compared with the field measurements and discussed.