This exercise aims at constructing and running a 3D FE model corresponding to the excavation of a D-shape hydro tunnel. The tunnel will be excavated (full-face excavation) using the conventional method with a 1 m advancement step. The temporary support system consists of a 20 cm shotcrete lining along with a series of cable bolts.

It will also serve as a reference model to generate Longitudinal Displacement Profile that can be used to properly set-up the level of deconfinement in 2D plane strain model in the framework of the so-called convergence-confinement method and as presented in a companion exercise: "2D Analysis of a Composite Support System for a Horse-shoe Shaped Tunnel".