9. Glossary

Rock bolting

Support technique involving the reinforcement of a massif (often rock) using metal or fibreglass bars (anchors or bolts), installed radially on the walls or longitudinally on the face.

Convergence-confining: rock-support interaction

Concept and calculation method for terrain – structure interaction, linking the increase in radial displacements of tunnel walls to the decrease in the radial stresses exerted on them; this is a very useful concept for taking the presence of the working face into account when modelling a 2D cross-section of the tunnel.

Méthode de creusement conventionnelle (ou traditionnelle, séquentielle); conventional excavation method

Digging technique consisting of successive digging (felling), removal of spoil and installation of support,...