The hydro-mechanical（H-M） coupled numerical simulation was conducted for the prediction of the tunneling construction in water-rich areas using the earth pressure balance（EPB） shield.First

a zone state index（ZSI） was established based on the achievements of other scholars.Then

the yield approach index and failure approach index was unified to safety evaluation system（negative values mean failure）

which achieved a complete expression of elastic

yield and failure states.By combining the strain-permeability equation with ZSI

the variable of permeability coefficient was calculated during the cou

pled process

which made up for the deficiency of permeability coefficient in FLAC

3D

seepage simulation.Taken the 202 section of Dalian Metro

Xianggong street station to Shahekou railway station

as an example

the H-M coupled numerical simulation was realized by using program in FISH language.The deformation and failure characteristics of excavation face and surrounding rock during tunnel excavation were analyzed.The stability of excavation face was further evaluated according to numerical results of ZSI.The results indicate that the proposed method can be used to well simulate and analyze the H-M coupling process

which are in good agreement with measured results.