Numerical Study on Stratigraphic and Structural Deformation Patterns Considering Surface Load with Pile-Beam-Arch Method Construction

Abstract

Due to soil disturbance during the construction of metro stations, the initial stress of the stratum is modified, leading to ground settlement within a particular range, fracturing the surrounding buildings and even causing significant ground deformation and building collapse. This paper employed the Pile-Beam-Arch method to assemble the Daguanying Station of Beijing Metro Line 7 as the engineering background. The numerical calculation method was used to study the regulations of ground settlement and structural deformation throughout the construction stage. Meanwhile, the effect of surface loading was taken into account and surface settlement control strategies were suggested. Finally, the Stochastic medium theory was used to predict surface settlement. It was evident from the study’s findings that the pilot tunnels excavation and the arches installation accounted for 67% and 23.1% of the total surface settlement, respectively, and produced the most surface settlement. Surface settlement can be significantly reduced by utilizing grouting reinforcement technology and the pilot tunnels excavation approach of “upper first, then lower and side first, then middle”. The structure was much less stressed during the pre-construction stage, with the maximum principal stress ranging from 1 to 5 MPa; after construction was finalized, the maximum principal stress reached 14.203 MPa, concentrating mostly in the middle column part, which was the consequence of the combined action of the upper load and the lower soil uplift. Additionally, there was a linear relationship between the surface load and ground settlement. The bottom slab and the middle column were situated where the structure’s most unfavorable components were concentrated. The conclusions of the surface settlement prediction demonstrated that there were discrepancies between the theoretical calculation and the simulated; thus, the prediction results were more conservative. The study results can serve as a reference for construction sites.