Interpretation of Free-Field Ground Movements Caused by Mechanized Tunnel Construction
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper summarizes greenfield ground movements caused by the construction of twin 7.1-m-diameter tunnels for London’s Crossrail project using earth pressure balance (EPB) tunnel boring machines (TBM). The data include surface deformations from a series of transects in Hyde Park together with subsurface data from one well-instrumented test section. Although far-field ground movements can be well-fitted using established empirical methods or simplified analytical solutions (elastic half-space), nonlinear, inelastic soil behavior is expected to affect measurements close to the tunnel. This paper considers the effects of constitutive behavior on the observed ground movements. Simple [Mohr-Coulomb (M-C)] and more-complex (MIT-S1) soil models are calibrated using results of high-quality laboratory element tests on intact London clay. The models are then used in two-dimensional (2D) numerical simulations in order to optimize three independent cavity-deformation parameters that control the spatial distribution of ground movements associated with the passage of each EPB machine. Simulations using the MIT-S1 model find maximum radial deformations at the crown of the tunnel with very small movements at the soffit, while M-C analyses show minimum deformations closer to the springline. The analyses consistently show that larger volume losses occur for the second, eastbound (EB) tunnel bore [ compared to 0.72–0.79 for prior westbound (WB)]. This result may be attributed in part to differences in EPB control parameters and/or interactions between the two tunnels that are not considered in the current analyses.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the help and input provided by the Crossrail contract C300 Joint Venture team (BAM-Ferrovial-Kier). They are particularly grateful to Sofia Guerrero, Brendan Bradley, Sam Chernanko, Daniele Fornelli, Gema Araque, Alfons Sequi, Simon Leavy, Diego Aravaca, Marios Vironos, Steve Parker, David Harris, Andres Buitrago-Moreno, Olga Mastrogianni, and Pete Gabayo. The measured data and the field study would not have been possible without their contribution. This research was supported by Ferrovial-Agroman through the MIT-Ferrovial research program.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 143 • Issue 4 • April 2017
Copyright
©2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 1, 2015
Accepted: Aug 22, 2016
Published online: Oct 28, 2016
Discussion open until: Mar 28, 2017
Published in print: Apr 1, 2017
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