Severe　seismic　damage　occurs　to　tunnels　across　or　adjacent　to　the　active　faults　in　a　high-intensity　earthquake　area.　Therefore,　investigating　the　response　and　failure　mechanism　of　the　utility　tunnel　structure　with　flexible　joints　across　the　reverse　fault　is　of　significant　importance.　This　paper　conducts　a　model　test　of　1:30,　modelling　reverse　fault　rupture　with　a　45°　dip　angle　and　a　utility　tunnel　with　flexible　joints　embedded　in　the　sand　layer.　The　results　show　that　the　lining　structure　in　the　hanging　wall　area　appears　to　have　longitudinal　cracks,　concrete　falls　off,　and　there　is　continuous　dislocation.　Then,　a　nonlinear　three-dimensional　finite　element　model　(FEM)　is　adapted　to　reveal　the　utility　tunnel　response　under　reverse　faulting　and　to　simulate　the　model　test.　The　numerical　results　show　that　the　tensile　failure　area　of　the　lining　caused　by　reverse　faulting　is　larger　than　the　compression　failure　area.　The　damage　distribution　has　regional　characteristics,　and　especially　the　joint　area　is　seriously　damaged.　The　settlement　profile　of　the　tunnel　under　reverse　fault　can　be　fitted　reasonably　by　a　complementary　error　function.　Finally,　an　analytical　solution　of　the　longitudinal　response　of　the　tunnel　under　reverse　fault　based　on　the　double-parameter　Pasternak　model　is　derived.　The　analytical　solution　results　show　good　agreement　with　the　numerical　and　experimental　results.　The　longitudinal　response　of　the　tunnel　under　reverse　fault　can　be　divided　into　two　parts:　the　influence　zone　and　the　non-influenced　zone.　The　flexible　joints　significantly　reduce　the　damage　degree　and　the　damaged　area　of　the　tunnel　caused　by　reverse　fault　dislocation.　©　The　Author(s)　2023.