Abstract：In the light of the drawbacks met in the double-layer lining in soft rock strata，permanent tunnel lining by single-layer reactive powder shotcrete is studied by using numerical simulation and test. The support mechanism of the different kinds of shotcrete lining over the surface of surrounding rock in soft rock tunnel and the influence of the advance rate on the early strength of the shotcrete material are analyzed by means of numerical modeling and the test of reactive powder concrete. Reactive powder concrete (RPC) is a new kind of concrete which has ultra-high strength，high ductility and low permeability. The results of numerical simulation and the test show that the method is satisfactory and the results obtained are valid and thus can be effectively used for design of tunnel lining by reactive powder shotcrete in soft rock strata. The double-layer lining of the tunnel can be substituted by single-layer reactive powder shotcrete lining.
