Excavation Support System Design Method to Limit Damage in Adjacent Infrastructure
This article has been corrected.
VIEW CORRECTIONPublication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 12
Abstract
A major concern for urban construction projects involving deep excavations is the impact of excavation-related ground movements on adjacent buildings and utilities. Consequently, stiff excavation support systems are required to execute the work. The conventional approach for designing an excavation support system is to use a limit equilibrium approach to determine the required capacity and stiffness of the excavation support system. Although this approach may provide an adequate factor of safety against structural failure, it may yield excessive system deformations and subsequent ground movements, causing nearby structures to possibly sustain damage. Thus, it is critical that design methods for excavation support systems consider the potential of induced damage in adjacent infrastructure. Current methods that consider potential damage to adjacent structures in the excavation support system design compare predicted damage to acceptable damage at the end of the support system design process. These design methodologies involve iterations of the support system characteristics until the required stiffness of the system complies with the acceptable level of damage. Any variation in the ground or adjacent structure characteristics from a previous definition may cause a complete redefinition of the support system characteristics. This paper presents a new design methodology that directly designs an excavation support system by first considering an acceptable level of damage in the surrounding facilities and estimating the corresponding ground deformations. The wall and support elements of the support system are then designed such that the system yields the limiting ground deformations. The resulting excavation support system limits damage to adjacent structures below an acceptable level and automatically satisfies the structural stability requirements. More significantly, the design of the excavation support system does not require an iterative process.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
The case history data used to develop and verify the methodology presented in this study are available from the sources cited throughout this paper. Specific analytical data generated for the development of the empirical relationships presented study were developed through parametric analyses of the equations also presented in this study.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Dr. Dimitrios C. Konstantakos, P.E, Founder and CEO of DeepEX software, for his clarification in key aspects of this study. The authors would also like to thank Dr. David G. Zapata-Medina of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Medellín, for reviews of early drafts of this manuscript.
References
Bahrami, M., M. I. Khodakarami, and A. Haddad. 2018. “3D numerical investigation of the effect of wall penetration depth on excavations behavior in sand.” Comput. Geotech. 98 (Jun): 82–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2018.02.009.
Boone, S. J. 1996. “Ground-movement-related building damage.” J. Geotech. Eng. 122 (11): 886–896. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1996)122:11(886).
Boone, S. J., J. Westland, and R. Nusink. 1999. “Comparative evaluation of building responses to an adjacent braced excavation.” Can. Geotech. J. 36 (2): 210–223. https://doi.org/10.1139/t98-100.
Boscardin, M. D., and E. J. Cording. 1989. “Building response to excavation-induced settlement.” J. Geotech. Eng. 115 (1): 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1989)115:1(1).
Bryson, L. S., and D. G. Zapata-Medina. 2012. “Method for estimating system stiffness for excavation support walls.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 138 (9): 1104–1115. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000683.
Bryson, L. S., D. G. Zapata-Medina, and J. Romana-Giraldo. 2018. “Empirical method to estimate lateral wall deformation profiles and bending moment in excavation retaining walls.” In Proc., Int. Foundation Congress and Equipment Expo 2018, 65–75. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Burland, J. B., B. B. Broms, and V. F. de Mello. 1977. “Behavior of foundations and structures.” In Vol. 2 of Proc., 9th Int. Conf. Soil Mechanical Found. Engineering, 495–546. Tokyo: Springer.
Burland, J. B., and C. P. Wroth. 1975. “Settlement behavior of buildings and associated damage.” In Proc., Conf. on Settlement of Structures, 611–654. London: Pentech Press.
Chen, H., J. Li, and L. Li. 2018. “Performance of a zoned excavation by bottom-up technique in shanghai soft soils.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 144 (11): 05018003. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001964.
Choudhury, T., and H. B. Kaushik. 2018. “Seismic response sensitivity to uncertain variables in rc frames with infill walls.” J. Struct. Eng. 144 (10): 04018184. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002190.
Clough, G. W., and T. D. O’Rourke. 1990. “Construction induced movements of in situ walls.” In Proc., Design and Performance of Earth Retaining Structures, 439–470. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Clough, G. W., E. M. Smith, and B. P. Sweeney. 1989. “Movement control of excavation support systems by iterative design.” In Proc., ASCE Foundation Engineering: Current Principles and Practice, 869–884. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Do, T.-N., C.-Y. Ou, and A. Lim. 2013. “Evaluation of factors of safety against basal heave for deep excavations in soft clay using the finite-element method.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 139 (12): 2125–2135. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000940.
Dulácska, E. 1992. Soil settlement effects on buildings. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.
Fang, H. Y. 1991. Foundation engineering handbook. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Finno, R. J., L. G. Arboleda-Monsalve, and F. Sarabia. 2015. “Observed performance of the one museum park west excavation.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 141 (1): 04014078. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001187.
Finno, R. J., J. T. Blackburn, and J. F. Roboski. 2007. “Three-dimensional effects for supported excavations in clay.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 133 (1): 30–36. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2007)133:1(30).
Finno, R. J., S. Bryson, and M. Calvello. 2002. “Performance of a stiff support system in soft clay.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 128 (8): 660–671. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2002)128:8(660).
Finno, R. J., F. T. Voss, E. Rossow, and J. T. Blackburn. 2005. “Evaluating damage potential in buildings affected by excavations.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 131 (10): 1199–1210. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2005)131:10(1199).
Goh, A. T. C. 2017. “Basal heave stability of supported circular excavations in clay.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 61 (Jan): 145–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2016.10.005.
Goh, K. H., and R. J. Mair. 2014. “Response of framed buildings to excavation-induced movements.” Soils Found. 54 (3): 250–268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2014.04.002.
Halim, D., and K. S. Wong. 2012. “Prediction of frame structure damage resulting from deep excavation.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 138 (12): 1530–1536. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000682.
Hsieh, P.-G., and C.-Y. Ou. 1998. “Shape of ground surface settlement profiles caused by excavation.” Can. Geotech. J. 35 (6): 1004–1017. https://doi.org/10.1139/t98-056.
Huang, M., Z. Tang, and J. Yuan. 2018. “Basal stability analysis of braced excavations with embedded walls in undrained clay using the upper bound theorem.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 79 (Sep): 231–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2018.05.014.
Konda, T., H. Ota, T. Yanagawa, and A. Hashimoto. 2008. “Measurements of ground deformations behind braced excavations.” In Geotechnical aspects of underground construction in soft ground, 421–428. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Kotheimer, M. J., and L. S. Bryson. 2009. “Damage approximation method for excavation-induced damage to adjacent buildings.” In Proc., Int. Foundation Congress and Equipment Expo (IFCEE09). Reston, VA: ASCE.
Koutsoftas, D. C., P. Frobenius, C. L. Wu, D. Meyersohn, and R. Kulesza. 2000. “Deformations during cut-and-cover construction of MUNI metro turnback project.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 126 (4): 344–359. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2000)126:4(344).
Kung, G. T., C. H. Juang, E. C. Hsiao, and Y. M. Hashash. 2007. “Simplified model for wall deflection and ground-surface settlement caused by braced excavation in clays.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 133 (6): 731–747. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2007)133:6(731).
Li, D., Z. Li, and D. Tang. 2015. “Three-dimensional effects on deformation of deep excavations.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. Geotech. Eng. 168 (6): 551–562. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeen.15.00042.
Likitlersuang, S., C. Surarak, D. Wanatowski, E. Oh, and A. Balasubramaniam. 2013. “Finite element analysis of a deep excavation: A case study from the Bangkok MRT.” Soils Found. 53 (5): 756–773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2013.08.013.
Liu, G. B., C. W. Ng, and Z. W. Wang. 2005. “Observed performance of a deep multistrutted excavation in shanghai soft clays.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 131 (8): 1004–1013. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2005)131:8(1004).
Long, M. 2001. “Database for retaining wall and ground movements due to deep excavations.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 127 (3): 203–224. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2001)127:3(203).
Ou, C. Y. 2006. Deep excavation: Theory and practice. London: Taylor & Francis.
Peck, R. B. 1969. “Deep excavations and tunneling in soft ground.” In Proc., 7th Int. Conf. Soil Mechanical Foundation Engineering, 225–281. Mexico City: International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering.
Polshin, D. E., and R. A. Tokar. 1957. “Maximum allowable nonuniform settlement of structures.” In Vol. 1 of Proc., 4th Int. Conf. on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, 402–405. London: Butterworth.
Roboski, J., and R. J. Finno. 2006. “Distributions of ground movements parallel to deep excavations in clay.” Can. Geotech. J. 43 (1): 43–58. https://doi.org/10.1139/t05-091.
Sabatini, P. J., D. G. Pass, and R. C. Bachus. 1999. Ground anchors and anchored systems. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration.
Schuster, M., G. T.-C. Kung, C. H. Juang, and Y. M. A. Hashash. 2009. “Simplified model for evaluating damage potential of buildings adjacent to a braced excavation.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 135 (12): 1823–1835. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000161.
Skempton, A. W., and D. H. MacDonald. 1956. “The allowable settlements of buildings.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. 5 (6): 727–768. https://doi.org/10.1680/ipeds.1956.12202.
Son, M., and E. J. Cording. 2005. “Estimation of building damage due to excavation-induced ground movements.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 131 (2): 162–177. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2005)131:2(162).
Son, M., and E. J. Cording. 2011. “Responses of buildings with different structural types to excavation-induced ground settlements.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 137 (4): 323–333. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000448.
Sun, Y., S. Zhou, and Z. Luo. 2017. “Basal-heave analysis of pit-in-pit braced excavations in soft clays.” Comput. Geotech. 81 (Jan): 294–306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.09.003.
Tan, Y., R. Huang, Z. Kang, and W. Bin. 2016. “Covered semi-top-down excavation of subway station surrounded by closely spaced buildings in downtown Shanghai: Building response.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil. 30 (6): 04016040. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0000892.
Tan, Y., X. Li, Z. Kang, J. Liu, and Y. Zhu. 2015. “Zoned excavation of an oversized pit close to an existing metro line in stiff clay: Case study.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil. 29 (6): 04014158. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0000652.
Tan, Y., and D. Wang. 2013. “Characteristics of a large-scale deep foundation pit excavated by the central-island technique in Shanghai soft clay. II: Top-down construction of the peripheral rectangular pit.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 139 (11): 1894–1910. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000929.
Tan, Y., and B. Wei. 2012. “Observed behaviors of a long and deep excavation constructed by cut-and-cover technique in Shanghai soft clay.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 138 (1): 69–88. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000553.
Terzaghi, K. 1943. Theoretical soil mechanics. New York: Wiley.
Timoshenko, S. 1957. Strength of materials. New York: D. Van Nostrand Company.
Tschebotarioff, G. P. 1973. Foundations, retaining, and earth structures. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Ukritchon, B., A. J. Whittle, and S. W. Sloan. 2003. “Undrained stability of braced excavations in clay.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 129 (8): 738–755. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2003)129:8(738).
Zhang, L. M., and A. M. Y. Ng. 2005. “Probabilistic limiting tolerable displacements for serviceability limit state design of foundations.” Géotechnique 55 (2): 151–161. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2005.55.2.151.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 147 • Issue 12 • December 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 3, 2021
Accepted: Jul 20, 2021
Published online: Sep 23, 2021
Published in print: Dec 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Feb 23, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Gianpiero Russo, Marco Valerio Nicotera, Ilaria Esposito, 3D FEM Back Analysis of the Observed Performance of a Very Deep Excavation in the Historical Center of Naples, Italy, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 10.1061/JGGEFK.GTENG-11867, 150, 4, (2024).
- Heming Han, Bin Shi, Yaowen Yang, Cheng-Cheng Zhang, Lei Zhang, Guangqing Wei, Ultra-weak FBG sensing for identification and analysis of plastic zone of soil caused by supported excavation, Engineering Geology, 10.1016/j.enggeo.2023.107061, (107061), (2023).
- Ali M. Basha, Mohamed H. Zakaria, Maher T. El-Nimr, Mohamed M. Abo-Raya, Performance Analysis of Axially Loaded Secant Pile Wall Embedded in Sand: An Experimental Investigation, Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 10.1007/s13369-023-07657-4, (2023).
- Aradhana Mishra, Vishwas A. Sawant, A Detailed Investigation on Contiguous Pile Wall with Homogeneous Backfill, Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 10.1007/s10706-023-02391-y, (2023).