A Numerical Study Using a Two-Dimensional Finite Elements Method to Analyze the Stability of Seven Tunnel Transversal Sections

The tunnels are one of the most important constructions that shorten the time and facilitate the transition between difficult places such as highlands and mountains. It is one of the reasons countries grow economically. The tunnels must be safe in all situations. The engineer must take into consideration the quality of the soil and rock in the place of excavation, the appropriate method of excavation, the location of the tunnel, and the materials used, as well as the design of the tunnel without forgetting the appropriate shape of the tunnel. In this paper, we simulated the model with various shapes ("seven shapes") by using the finite element method Optum G2 software. The stability research for the various tunnel shapes was carried out by examining soil settlements, horizontal, vertical displacement, shear, normal forces, and a bending moment of the lining concrete of these shapes.