Comparative Analysis of Methods for Assessing Initial Displacements of the Near-Face Area in Conditions of Low-Strength Semi-Rocky Soils

Vladimir Kavkazskiy; Evgeniy Ermonin

doi:10.20295/1815-588X-2026-2-402-416

UDC

624.19.035.2

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF METHODS FOR ASSESSING INITIAL DISPLACEMENTS OF THE NEAR-FACE AREA IN CONDITIONS OF LOW-STRENGTH SEMI-ROCKY SOILS Comparative Analysis of Methods for Assessing Initial Displacements of the Near-Face Area in Conditions of Low-Strength Semi-Rocky Soils

АА Аа

Published in Proceedings of Petersburg Transport University · Pages 402–416 · Rubric: GENERAL TECHNICAL PROBLEMS AND SOLUTION APPROACH

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20295/1815-588X-2026-2-402-416

Received: 01.03.2026 Accepted: 26.04.2026 Published: 30.06.2026

Authors

Vladimir Kavkazskiy

Evgeniy Ermonin

Vladimir Kavkazskiy

Academic degree: candidate of technical sciences

Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State Transport University Associate Professor · Russian Federation · St. Petersburg

Evgeniy Ermonin

Emperor Alexander I Petersburg State Transport University Associate Professor · Russian Federation

ABSTRACT

This article presents a comparative analysis and development of a methodology for accounting for the spatial pattern of rock deformation in the near-face region in a 2D tunnel calculation model, taking into account the technological features of specific engineering and geological conditions. Research Object: the stress-strain state of the “soil mass-working-lining” system. Research Subject: the magnitude of nearface displacements occurring before the installation of the tunnel lining. Objective: the purpose of this study is to determine, based on a comparative analysis of existing methods and 3D numerical modeling, the proportion of initial displacements of the working contour before the installation of lining for tunnels constructed using mining methods in soft semi-rocky soils and to develop practical recommendations for accounting for this displacement in simplified 2D calculation models. Methods: to achieve this goal, a combination of methods was used, including a theoretical analysis of existing empirical and analytical approaches, verified through 3D finite element modeling, taking into account the full construction phases and nonlinear soil behavior (the Hooke-Brown and Hardening Soil models) on a real-world project—a tunnel in Sochi. This was followed by a comparative quantitative analysis of the results and the synthesis of a methodology for two-dimensional calculation models. Results: based on 3D numerical modeling of tunnel excavation, it was established that, in the soft, semi-rocky soils of Sochi, the initial displacements of the tunnel contour before the installation of the support structure account for 40% of the final total displacements, which differs significantly from estimates obtained using existing empirical formulas (22–60%). This result was verified on a real site and formed the basis for a practical methodology for accounting for spatial deformation in two-dimensional calculation models (analogous to the β-method), while identifying significant gaps in regulatory approaches to assessing overburden pressure. Practical Significance: the obtained results enable the implementation of a validated methodology (analogous to the β-method) in design practice for transitioning from resource-intensive 3D modeling to simplified 2D calculations that take into account the real-world interactions between rock mass and support structures, directly impacting the safety, cost-effectiveness, and reliability of tunnel design solutions in complex engineering and geological conditions.

KEYWORDS

rock pressure, road tunnel, mining method of tunnel construction, 3D deformation, longitudinal displacement profile, convergence, β-method

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GOST

Kavkazskiy V. N., Ermonin E. A. Comparative Analysis of Methods for Assessing Initial Displacements of the Near-Face Area in Conditions of Low-Strength Semi-Rocky Soils // . 2026. pp. 402-416. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20295/1815-588X-2026-2-402-416. (Date of access 19.08.2026).

MLA

Vladimir Kavkazskiy, Ermonin E. A.. "Comparative Analysis of Methods for Assessing Initial Displacements of the Near-Face Area in Conditions of Low-Strength Semi-Rocky Soils." (2026): 402-416. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20295/1815-588X-2026-2-402-416.

APA

Kavkazskiy V. N., Ermonin E. A. (2026). Comparative Analysis of Methods for Assessing Initial Displacements of the Near-Face Area in Conditions of Low-Strength Semi-Rocky Soils. , 402-416. https://doi.org/10.20295/1815-588X-2026-2-402-416

Chicago

Vladimir Kavkazskiy, Ermonin E. A.. "Comparative Analysis of Methods for Assessing Initial Displacements of the Near-Face Area in Conditions of Low-Strength Semi-Rocky Soils." , no. (2026): 402-416. https://doi.org/10.20295/1815-588X-2026-2-402-416.

WIKI

{{cite journal | author = Kavkazskiy V. N., Ermonin E. A. | title = Comparative Analysis of Methods for Assessing Initial Displacements of the Near-Face Area in Conditions of Low-Strength Semi-Rocky Soils | journal = | year = 2026 | pages = 402-416 | doi = 10.20295/1815-588X-2026-2-402-416 }}

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COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF METHODS FOR ASSESSING INITIAL DISPLACEMENTS OF THE NEAR-FACE AREA IN CONDITIONS OF LOW-STRENGTH SEMI-ROCKY SOILS Comparative Analysis of Methods for Assessing Initial Displacements of the Near-Face Area in Conditions of Low-Strength Semi-Rocky Soils

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