Potential Roof Collapse Analysis of Tunnel Considering the Orthotropic Weak Interlayer on the Detaching Surface

The evaluation of the roof collapse in tunnels or cavities remains one most complex issues geotechnical engineering. Taking detaching surface tunnel as an orthotropic weak interlayer, analytical approach for determining limit range considering arch effect is presented this paper by variation calculus. A discontinuity criterion moving from anisotropic proposed present authors applied to interlayer. phenomenon sharp points blocks further analyzed. Based on approach, illustrated examples are analyzed investigate strength parameters and consideration cusp, which show different influence laws blocks. Those interesting conclusions can provide guidance prediction mechanism tunnel.