Abstract: The dynamic behavior of harmonic vibrations of saturated viscoelastic soil and lining system with a deeply embedded circular tunnel is investigated in the frequency domain. Based on elasticity and the theory of porous medium, steady-state dynamic responses of the lining and saturated viscoelastic soil are given. Analytical expressions of displacement, stress and pore water pressure for steady-state vibration of the saturated soil and a lining system subject to a uniform harmonic load on the lining boundary are obtained under boundary conditions of the lining and continuity conditions on the interface between the saturated soil and the lining. Influence of the physical and geometric parameters on the dynamic characteristics of the system is examined. It is shown that permeability of pore water has a great influence on the system’s dynamic behavior. The responses to an impermeable system is much greater than those to a permeable system. Furthermore, for an impermeable system, the lining’s thickness has a remarkable influence on the system behavior, while influences of the interaction coefficient between soil skeleton and pore water, and the soil’s Poisson ratio on the system behavior are unnoticeable.

Key words: circular tunnel, harmonic vibration, lining structure, saturated porous medium