Abstract: In view of the typical marl disease engineering in North Africa, this paper studies the engineering performance of the expansive soft rock, and looks for the reliable soft rock conditions for the tunnel lining design. Studies have been conducted on areas of selection on rock formation parameters for engineering, calculation of mechanical model for original design, problems in construction, design alteration, disease treatment, and etc., and then the conclusion is summarized as that, based on the conventional surrounding rock pressure theory, all the expansive lateral pressure, the dynamic pressure of groundwater, plastic deformation and residual stress should be considered within the stress reduction. The stress suffered by tunnel structure in expansive soft rock should be calculated by using the load-structure calculation model. The research conclusions can be references for treatment projects of tunnel diseases in expansive soft rock and other similar survey, design and construction works.