Abstract: There is no successful experience in the design and construction of ventilation shafts of long highway tunnels in China. The calculation theory for the rock mass pressure of deep shafts is presented, with the ventilation shafts of Huayingshan extralong highway tunnel as examples. The characteristics and application conditions of different shaft sinking methods are discussed. Advices are made on the necessity of code for design and construction of ventilation shafts of highway tunnels, the parameter selection in the rock mass pressure calculation and the development of raiseboring machinery.

Key words: Huayingshan highway tunnel, ventilation shaft, design, rock mass, pressure, raiseboring machinery