Numerical solutions for strain-softening surrounding rock under three-dimensional principal stress condition

In this study, elastoplastic model for the surrounding rock of axisymmetric circular tunnel is investigated under three-dimensional (3D) principal stress states. Novel numerical solutions for strain-softening surrounding rock were first proposed based on the modified 3D Hoek–Brown criterion and the associated flow rule. Under a 3D axisymmetric coordinate system, the distributions for stresses and displacement can be effectively determined on the basis of the redeveloped stress increment approach. The modified 3D Hoek–Brown strength criterion is also embedded into finite element software to characterize the yielding state of surrounding rock based on the modified yield surface and stress renewal algorithm. The Euler implicit constitutive integral algorithm and the consistent tangent stiffness matrix are reconstructed in terms of the 3D Hoek–Brown strength criterion. Therefore, the numerical solutions and finite element method (FEM) models for the deep buried tunnel under 3D principal stress condition are presented, so that the stability analysis of surrounding rock can be conducted in a direct and convenient way. The reliability of the proposed solutions was verified by comparison of the principal stresses obtained by the developed numerical approach and FEM model. From a practical point of view, the proposed approach can also be applied for the determination of ground response curve of the tunnel, which shows a satisfying accuracy compared with the measuring data.