Abstract: The conditions that forming a pressurized arch are evaluated based on the MohrCoulomb criterion. The horizontal stress, the buried depth of tunnel and properties of surround rock mass on the performance of the pressurized arch are also studied throughout the numerical analysis. The results indicate that the horizontal stress and depth of tunnel embedment are the main factors affecting the pressurized arch. Among other factors, the horizontal stress has the significant effect of the shape and the location of the pressurized arch. Higher stresses in the surrounding rock mass, the location of the pressurized arch is closer to the tunnel and the steeper the pressurized arch is.  The lower the stress level in the rock mass, the pressurized arch will be far away from the tunnel and the flatter the arch. Throughout the study, the load intensity and its distribution on the supporting structure can be predicted and the supporting structure design can be optimized.

Key words: MohrCoulomb Criterion, Pressurized Arch, Horizontal Stress, Tunnel Embedment Depth, Characteristics of Surrounding Rock Mass, Design Load