Effect of a row of soldier piles on the settlement of adjacent buildings due to tunnelling: numerical study

Abstract

ABSTRACT The shallow tunnelling with large diameter leads to the vertical and lateral ground movements, which could adversely affect the abutting structures. Preventive measures such as diaphragm walls, jet grouting columns, and a row of soldier piles can effectively protect adjacent structures from possible damages. This research specifically assesses the effectiveness of a row of soldier piles to reduce settlements of adjacent buildings using three-dimensional simulations with the finite difference approach. Moreover, the relationship between the performance and major geometrical parameters such as distance from the tunnel axis and piles length in greenfield conditions are studied and evaluated. The effectiveness of a row of piles on adjacent buildings to reduce displacements is also investigated and discussed. The simulation results show a strong relationship between the length of piles and pile spacing in displacement reduction. Piles should be founded at least half a tunnel diameter below the invert, and larger distances (i.e. 4 and 5 times of pile diameter) in a row of piles are also useful in preventing the collapse of adjacent buildings as they can cause a substantial reduction in horizontal displacements.