To　avoid　introducing　the　generalized　Hoek-Brown　(GHB)　strength　criterion　into　the　stability　analysis　of　tunnel　face　directly　by　any　linearization　of　Hoek-Brown　strength　criterion,　this　paper　constructed　a　multi-log　spiral　failure　mechanism　for　shallow　buried　tunnel　excavation　face　in　water-rich　strata　based　on　the　limit　analysis　theory.　Considering　the　existence　of　pore　water　pressure,　the　expression　of　the　critical　supporting　force　was　derived　from　the　tunnel　face　energy　balance　equation,　and　the　optimal　upper　bound　solution　of　the　supporting　pressure　can　be　obtained　through　the　optimization.　Consequently,　the　influence　of　the　GHB　strength　parameter,　pore　water　pressure,　rock　mass　unit　weight,　and　the　tunnel　depth　ratio　on　the　stability　of　tunnel　face　were　analyzed.　Finally,　a　series　of　stability　charts　of　the　most　critical　supporting　pressure　of　the　tunnel　face　were　presented　to　obtain　the　supporting　pressure　of　tunnel　face　conveniently.　This　work　provides　a　theoretical　basis　for　the　preliminary　design　of　shield　tunnel　in　water-rich　stratum.　©　2024　Beijing　University　of　Technology.　All　rights　reserved.