Currently there are many tunnels through the slate formation

slate tunnel engineering problems are frequently occur due to the unique nature of slate

and collapse phenomenon is a large part of the engineering problems . The feature and influence factors of slate tunnel are studied by the analyzing the collapse phenomenon of Muzhailing tunnel

then the board stability theory is used in the collapse mechanism of slate

and combine the engineering practice with board stability theory subsequently. Finally

the key methods to prevent collapse phenomenon are showed

and the method is used in the subsequent engineering. The results show that the slate layered characteristics and slowly construction of initial support is the fundamental factors in the collapse occurred

preventing the collapse phenomenon need to study primarily from these two points. The subsequent sections of Muzhailing tunnel are constructed safely; it’s proved that collapse causes of slate tunnel are well analyzed. That is useful to the similar engineering when they want to prevent or deal with the collapse of slate tunnel.