Deep excavation walls can be analyzed and calculated by using classical methods (currently rarely in use due to their many simplifications) or numerical methods. Among the numerical methods we can distinguish a simplified approach, in which the interaction between soil and a wall structure is modelled by a system of elasto-plastic supports, and the finite-element method (FEM) in which the soil is modelled with mesh of elements. It is a common view that if we want to analyze only wall constructions, the first, simplified method of calculation is sufficient. The second method, FEM, is required if we want to further analyze the stress and strain states in the soil and the influence of the excavation on the surrounding area. However, as it is demonstrated in the paper, important differences may appear in the calculation results of both methods. Thus, the safety design of a deep excavation structure depends very much on the choice of calculating method.

Unlike in conventional bridges, the backfill and the roadway pavement have a major bearing on the load capacity of buried corrugated metal structures. In the soil-steel structure model one can distinguish two structural subsystems: the shell made of corrugated steel plates and the soil backfill with the road pavement. The interaction between them is modelled as a contact (interfacial) interaction, i.e. forces normal and tangent to the surface of the shell. The normal interactions are variable during both construction and service life. Two algorithms are presented. In the first algorithm on the basis of unit strains the internal forces in the shell are determined and consequently the contact interactions are calculated. A large number of measuring points distributed on the circumferential section of the shell is needed for the calculations. In the second algorithm the collocation condition, according to which the result obtained from the shell geometry model must agree with the measured displacement of the structure’s collocation point, is used. When there are more such points, the estimated result is more precise. The advantage of both algorithms is that they take into account the physical characteristics of the soil in the backfill layers, but above all the backfill laying and compacting technology. The results of such analyses can be the basis for comparing the effectiveness of conventional geotechnical models.

It is the foundation of tunnel engineering to classify the rock mass surrounding tunnels. However, it is not easy to precisely determine the class of rock mass in practice as sufficient geological exploration need to be completed before rock mass classification, and there exists some disputes referring to the rationalization of dozens of methods for rock mass classification through the world. The principles and procedures of the basic quality method, which are widely used in China, are presented in this paper, and the application process of the basic quality method is showed with a project case of Zhongnanshan highway tunnel which has operated in safety for nearly a decade. Then, both the advantages and disadvantages of the basic quality method are analyzed in terms of practical engineering applications. In consideration of the defects of the basic quality method, the concept of the subclassing of surrounding rock in grade III–V is developed in the end and the criterion is given to determine the subclass of rock mass. This study is aimed at providing some useful ideas and a reference for rock classification in highway tunnel engineering.