Convergenceconfinement analysis of a bolt-supported tunnel using the homogenization method

The behaviour of tunnels reinforced with radially disposed fully grouted bolts is investigated in this paper. Perfect bonding and ideal diffusion of bolt tension are assumed, so that the bolt tension can be assimilated to an equivalent uniaxial stress tensor. An analytical model of the convergence–confinement type is proposed that accounts for the delayed action of bolts due to ground decompression prior to bolt installation. This factor leads to nonsimultaneous yielding, and more generally, a different stress history for each constituent, requiring special treatments in the incremental elastoplasticity calculations. Nonetheless, the resulting model remains sufficiently simple, and an analytical solution is still accessible. Charts are provided to allow for parametric studies and quick preliminary designs. Comparisons with 3D numerical calculations show that the model gives precise results if the correct convergence at the moment of bolt installation is used as an "external" input parameter, validating th...