Tunnel 4 (Porto) - Three-dimensional finite element analysis

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the application of finite elements models to a shallow tunnel excavated in residual granitic soils in Porto, Portugal. The calculations involved three-dimensional analyses, in which every effort was made to reproduce the entire construction sequence (excavation phase and support application). The mechanical behaviour of the soils was reproduced using an elastic perfectly plastic model. The soils characterization was done by in situ and laboratory tests. The observed behaviour is compared with the numerical results, and good agreement was found.