Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Predicting 2D ground movements around tunnels in undrained clay

Osman, A.S.; Bolton, M.D.; Mair, R.J.

Predicting 2D ground movements around tunnels in undrained clay Thumbnail


Authors

M.D. Bolton

R.J. Mair



Abstract

A new analytical method is introduced for calculating displacements due to tunnelling. This is conceived within the framework of the bound theorems of plasticity, but allowing for soil strain-hardening. The ground displacements due to tunnelling are idealised by a simple displacement mechanism of distributed shearing in the plane of the tunnel cross-section. The tunnel support pressure corresponding to a certain volume loss is calculated from energy balances of the work dissipated in distributed shear, the potential energy loss of soil flowing into the tunnel, and the work done by this soil against the tunnel support pressure. The calculations are carried out in steps of small volume loss accompanying small reduction in support pressure, after each of which the tunnel geometry is updated. In this way, each reduced tunnel support pressure is related to a complete ground displacement field. A simplified closed-form solution is also provided for the prediction of maximum surface ground settlement for the particular case of deep tunnelling. This closed-form solution is obtained by integrating the vertical equilibrium equation on the tunnel centreline from the tunnel crown up to the ground surface. These two analytical solutions have been validated against five previously published centrifuge tests.

Citation

Osman, A., Bolton, M., & Mair, R. (2006). Predicting 2D ground movements around tunnels in undrained clay. Géotechnique, 56(9), 597-604. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2006.56.9.597

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2006
Deposit Date Jul 15, 2008
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Géotechnique
Print ISSN 0016-8505
Electronic ISSN 1751-7656
Publisher ICE Publishing
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 56
Issue 9
Pages 597-604
DOI https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2006.56.9.597
Keywords Clays, Deformation, Design, Plasticity, Theoretical analysis, Tunnels.
Publisher URL http://www.atypon-link.com/doi/pdf/10.1680/geot.2006.56.9.597

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations