Based on the frequent problems of reports associated with hydrothermal alteration, during the excavation of tunnels in the city of Rio de Janeiro, especially the action of swelling clays and/or secondary mineral, it decided to deeply study the basic aspects petrographic-genetic this rocks appear in the tunnel of Jacarepaguá region and assess to what extent the influence of hydrothermal alteration favors changes massive resistance that appear in the region. For that were conducted detailed investigations of the samples collected in the tunnel and the slag heap. In the laboratory, the samples were subjected to petrographic analysis on the magnifying glass and microscope, analysis by diffraction of x-rays and strength test. Correlations were established between the mineralogical chemical transformations in rock types that appear in the tunnel with their resistance. With the results, it was found the importance of hydrothermal alteration in the projects of tunnels and thus it can be concluded that small geological approaches can minimize various engineering problems.