Rock Mass Behavior under Tunnel Widening in Asymmetric and Symmetric Modes Considering Different Shapes and Parametric Conditions

To accommodate traffic volume on roads due to ever-increasing population growth, the widening of highways and motorways is in high demand. Nevertheless, the widening of tunnels on these road networks is quite complex due to the presence of numerous rock types, in situ stress, and different widening modes. To overcome these complexities, eight different tunnel shapes were simulated under varying support conditions for asymmetric and symmetric widening. It was found that the tunnels with a round shape, such as horseshoe and semicircular with flatbed, are more effective for asymmetric widening, whereas the provision of a rounded invert in these shapes can reverse the widening option to symmetric. Furthermore, an insignificant effect of the difference in asymmetric and symmetric widening of regular tunnel shapes, such as box, rectangular, and semi-elliptical, was found. A full factorial design statistical analysis confirmed the decrease in tunnel deformation by using various tunnel support systems and showed a significant deformation difference according to monitoring locations at the tunnel periphery. The deformation difference in the case of both tunnel widening modes was also analyzed according to different design parameters. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of rock mass behavior when the widening of any underground opening is carried out