An approximate rapid design system for tunnel liners and underground structures is presented which permits the effects of structure geometry and stiffness, rock quality in terms of its deformation modulus, and the applied system loading to be entered as data to produce direct designs conforming to stress limitations, optimum reinforcement requirements and restraints on section dimensions. An 'equivalent column' concept is introduced for modelling the rock mass in contact with the structure. Only the rock treatment is given in detail but the results of sensitivity analyses, with reference to rock quality, for a typical liner design are given and these results related to a number of empirical design approaches.