When using shield machines, the excavation support is established using prefabricated concrete segments. The structurally required cavity between the built ring and the rock mass is usually filled with pea gravel in hard rock conditions. The backfilled material ensures the necessary bedding and evenly distributes the rock loads. To evaluate the in‐situ deformation behaviour of pea gravel, a testing device was developed that measures the reaction of the backfill under load increase and load decrease on the basis of the static load plate test. The test is carried out via the opening for pea gravel injection. The results have shown that the elasticity of pea gravel is predominantly influenced by the load level and the type of loading. Subsequently, the detectability of possible voids in the annular gap was evaluated by means of ground penetration radar. For this purpose, the feasibility of the measurements was confirmed by a numerical study. Furthermore, the boundary conditions and the propagation behaviour of the electromagnetic waves could be demonstrated. With calibration measurements, the electromagnetic properties of all components involved in the system segmental lining and annular gap were determined. An extensive series of analogue model tests confirmed the detectability of the transitions from dry, wet and water‐saturated pea gravel to water‐ and air‐filled voids. In the final series of experiments, the transition between pea gravel and hollow space in the annular gap was successfully detected at on‐site installed lining segments.

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