Finite element simulations for failure of shield tunnel face using she

This paper proposed a shear hardening plasticity model to numerically study the failure process of a shield tunnel face excavated in sands. Through simulations of drained triaxial tests, the ability of the model to capture the strain-hardening behavior of sands is validated. The active failure of a shield tunnel face is then studied using 3D finite element simulations. It is shown that the numerical results matched well with the observations made from model tests in terms of support pressure evolution and deformation mode.