Review on the mechanisms and control strategies of large deformation in soft rock tunnels
Baomin Zhang,Song Yuan,Qingfei Luo,Bin Li,Yijie Zhang,Zhengzheng Wang
Abstract
Soft rock tunnels under high in-situ stress and complex hydrogeological conditions are highly susceptible to large deformations, posing serious risks to construction safety and efficiency. This study provides a systematic review of current research and development trends in soft rock large deformation, using bibliometric and visualization analysis. The review focuses on deformation mechanisms and corresponding control strategies. Studies show that large deformations are driven by stress redistribution, structural degradation, and environmental influences. These deformations typically evolve in a nonlinear, irreversible, and staged manner. Mechanistic investigations have advanced in key areas such as nonlinear deformation paths, fracture propagation, time-dependent behavior, multifield coupling, and rock-support interaction. In terms of control, yielding supports, energy-absorbing components, high prestress anchors, and intelligent monitoring systems have shown significant effectiveness. Machine learningbased prediction models have also demonstrated potential for deformation identification and early risk warning. Nevertheless, significant limitations remain. Mechanistic analyses are largely macroscopic and phenomenological, and dynamic multi-physical coupling is insufficient. Control strategies lack standardization and long-term validation, while predictive models are constrained by data quality and interpretability. Future work should develop multi-scale models, establish open case repositories, and implement intelligent closed-loop control to enable accurate prediction and active management, enhancing tunnel resilience and sustainability.
Key Words
bibliometric analysis; failure mechanism; large deformation; soft rock tunnel; support measures; VOSviewer
Address
Baomin Zhang, Qingfei Luo, Zhengzheng Wang — School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning 116024, China
Song Yuan — Sichuan Communication Survey and Design Institute Co., Ltd., Chengdu, Sichuan 610017, China
Bin Li, Yijie Zhang — Sichuan Beixin Tianzhao Investment Development Co., Ltd., Guangyuan, Sichuan 628005, China
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