Numerical and physical investigation of face stability of shallow tunnels

This project investigates the face stability of shallow tunnels in a geotechnical centrifuge. With the help of centrifuge it is possible to study the behaviour of large sized structures based on small sized models. The lower stress level in the model as a result of the reduced size is compensated by the elevated centrifuge force. Some influence factors on the face stability of shallow tunnels will be investigated, e.g. soil density and overburden of tunnel. We thank the Austrian Society of Geomechanics in Salzburg for the generous financial support.