To figure out the influence of soft-hard layer thickness ratio on specimens’ mechanical properties evolution and microcracking mechanism, combined with digital image correlation technology and acoustic emission facility, uniaxial compression tests were conducted on soft-hard interbedded rock-like materials considering seven bedding dip angles and two soft-hard layer thickness ratios. The results are as follows: 1) The failure mode and failure pattern of layered rock masses are mainly determined by the bedding dip angle α and are less related to the soft-hard thickness ratio. With the increase of dip angle, the failure strength curve of the specimen is approximately U-shaped, and the soft-hard layer thickness ratio affects the U-shaped. The decrease in soft-hard layer thickness ratio will reduce the uniaxial compressive strength of specimens with low dip angles (α≦30°), cause differences in the evolution path of local strain fields of layered rock masses and reduce the horizontal displacement of the main crack. 2) The increase of the proportion of soft layer in the soft-hard layer thickness ratio will reduce the proportion of tensile cracks in the tensile failure specimens and shear cracks in the shear failure specimens, complicating the process of cracks of the layer rock mass. 3) Increasing the proportion of soft layers in the soft-hard layers thickness ratio promotes the generation of secondary cracks in layered rock masses and further reduces the integrity of specimens. Finally, through the findings in this paper, it can provide a reference for analyzing the crack propagation behavior of layered rock.

The conversion section of the cross passage and shaft is a priority concern in the stress transformation of a tunnel structure during subway underground excavation. In the construction of Subway Line 5 in Xi′an, China, the main line in the loess layer was constructed through the cross passage from the subway shaft of the Yue Deng Pavilion–San Dian Village Station tunnel section. Numerical simulation and field measurement were adopted to study the construction stability of the cross passage and shaft under two possible construction methods: the “shaft followed by cross passage construction” method and the “cross passage parallel shaft construction” method. The results showed that the surface deformation and plastic zone of the surrounding rock are similar under the two construction methods. However, of the two, the “cross passage parallel shaft construction” method was more advantageous in controlling the structural deformation of the original shaft and the stress distribution of the horsehead structure. The field monitoring data showed that the surface settlements and the deformation of the original shaft structures meet the requirement of control standards under the “cross passage parallel shaft construction” method.

Different construction methods have a significant influence on slope stability. Through an indoor model test, two construction methods of cutting a slope, excavation without support and the so-called one-step skip excavation method with the support of antislide piles, were carried out to analyze the mechanical behavior of the slope and antislide piles in the construction. Based on the model test, a numerical simulation was carried out to study the construction stability of the slope and antislide piles during the construction process of the four skip methods (the excavation methods referred to as the two sides followed by the middle part of the slope in parallel, the odd sections followed by even sections of the slope in parallel, the two-step skip in parallel, and the one-step skip). The results show that the constructed antislide piles act as the arch foot of the soil arch effect to restrain the deformation of the soil between piles. By comparing the four skip methods, we found that the ranges of large shear deformation of the cutting slope were roughly the same, and a shear zone was most likely to form in the middle of a slope to be excavated during the construction process of the four methods. The two sides followed by the middle part of the slope in parallel excavation method is more effective than the other three methods in controlling the change of bending moment of the piles and the safety factors of the slope during construction. Thus, this method should be given priority in the actual construction and design of small and medium cutting slopes. The conclusion has specific guiding significance for engineering practice.