Abstract: The principles of substructure design and the applications of finite element method are discussed in this paper. At first, the development of the design theory of substructures and some basic design principles are reviewed in brief. Then different factors that affect the design and the necessary parameters that must be determined are discussed. Different useful finite element methods are introduced and classified according to their basic functions. Fi. nally, the behavoir, analysis and problems of substructures in the three successive stages are investigated, i.e.the stability of surrounding rocks in the construction stage, the development of rock pressure after the completion of permanent liner and the combined action of rock and liner under external loads during the operating stage.