a b s t r a c tWhile innovative processes take continuously place in tunneling, which remains a rapidly evolving technology, the reliable prediction of impending collapse of roofs appears still one of the most difficult tasks in civil engineering. On the basis of a theoretical approach recently proposed by the present authors, a comprehensive analytical solution for collapse mechanisms in tunnels with arbitrary excavation profiles in plastic Hoek-Brown rock masses is presented and discussed. Special attention is given to examples concerning circular tunnels and the results allow some interesting considerations on the mechanics of collapse.
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