Adjacent overlap multi tunnels are a complex spatial distribution form with the unceasing development of the metro construction. Relying on the project of Wuhan metro line 2 and line 4

for four adjacent and overlapped shield tunnels

3D FEM is applied to analyzed the ground deformation law caused by dynamic construction of tunnel and the influence of latter tunnel excavation on former tunnel. The results show that the buried depth has a remarkable effect on the ground deformation; the final deformation caused by the construction is 32 mm

which beyonds the standard limits; the larger the buried depth is

the smaller the ground deformation is

but the larger the influence range is; for the ground deformation

the influence range to the ahead is 30 metres

to the back is 25 metres

and the influence range to the transverse for each side is 30 metres; for the tunnel deformation

the top and the bottom are compressed

the left and the right are outward-spread

so the tunnel changes into a inverted duck egg; the tunnel deformation occurs mainly near the cutter of the shield machine

whose range is around 1D

and it becomes steady quickly; the tunnel settlement mainly depends on the construction of the tunnel itself and the vertical tunnel

the construction of adjacent tunnel has major effect on the lateral displacement; the latter tunnel excavation has a great influence on the force of the former tunnel. The research results can provide some references and guidance for Wuhan metro and similar projects in the future.