Abstract: The support pressure at the tunnel face of earth pressure balance (EPB) shield machines is usually assumed to be uniform from the crown to the invert, which is a notable simplification of reality. In this study, the effects ...

Abstract: This paper presents a study on the face stability of earth pressure balance (EPB) shield tunnels in dry granular soils using the discrete element model (DEM) method to replicate realistic excavation processes of the EPB ...

Abstract: A set of model tests using a miniature Earth Pressure Balanced Shield (EPBS) machine are carried out to examine the effects of grain-size distribution on the mechanical behavior of granular soil in response to EPBS tunneling. ...

Abstract: Field measurements and laboratory tests were carried out to study the mechanical behaviors of soil in response to earth pressure balance (EPB) shield tunneling in mixed-face conditions, i.e., layers of granite and sand. ...

Abstract: Model tests and field measurements were carried out to study the mechanical behavior of cobble-rich soil in response to shield tunneling. In particular, an experimental investigation was carried out using a laboratory-scale ...