A Method for Predicting Settlements Above Closely Spaced Multiple Tunnel Constructions in Soil

Although finite element analysis techniques are becoming more reliable for modeling tunneling operations in soft ground, they are still relatively complicated and expensive, particularly at the early stages of a design. Therefore simpler semi-empirical methods are still employed to estimate the likely ground movements above tunnels. However, although the most common method based on the application of a Gaussian curve is good for estimating the ground movements above single tunnels, the application to twin tunnels, via summation of two Gaussian curves, has been shown to be inaccurate. An improved semi-empirical method is presented in this paper for predicting the ground movements above multiple tunnels in a side-by-side alignment. This method, based on modifying the summation of Gaussian curves, is shown to provide significant improvements over the traditional method. The paper shows the application of the modified method to some laboratory physical model test data and also to a case history example involving twin tunnel constructions at Heathrow in the UK, with promising results.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Chapman, David N
  • Hunt, Dexter V L
  • Rogers, Christopher D F
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 86th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2007-1-21 to 2007-1-25
• Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 26p
• Monograph Title: TRB 86th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers CD-ROM

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Finite element method; Ground settlement; Soft soils; Tunnel supports; Tunneling; Tunnels
• Identifier Terms: Heathrow Airport
• Uncontrolled Terms: Gaussian distributions; Ground movement (Tunneling)
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Bridges and other structures; Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Terminals and Facilities; I42: Soil Mechanics; I54: Construction of Tunnels;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01044098
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 07-0423
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 8 2007 5:00PM