Tunnelling in soils – ground movements, and damage to buildings in Workington, UK

Abstract

Tunnelling through soils results in ground loss, causing surface settlements and transverse movements. Where the tunnel drive passes below an existing structure, it is important to estimate the effects upon the structure. However, the free ground deformations should not simply be imposed upon a structure, because the structure contributes to stiffening of the ground. A computational soil-structure interaction analysis is required, to otain detailed stress–deformation response. First, linear finite element and Lagrangian finite difference methods are used to estimate ground movements due to a tunnel in free ground, and the results are compared with values based on empirical equations. The two linear methods and an additional hybrid FE method are then used to assess with soil-structure interaction; two cases of a typical short wall and a long wall lying across the route of tunnels of different depths. The results support the validity of the hybrid method which is used to estimate interactive ground settlements for comparison with a reported case of tunnelling below a building in central London. A more detailed case study is then undertaken to assess building damage caused by gross settlements during tunnelling in mixed soils, at a site in Workington, west Cumbria. A survey allowed estimation of free ground movements. Analysis by the hybrid method on the soils plus uncracked structures indicated intolerable horizontal stresses. Re-analysis with major cracks introduced into the structures resulted in close agreement between measured and computed settlements.