Numerical analysis of soldier piles construction to reduce surface settlement due to tunneling

Urban development and rapid expansion of cities over the past decades have been accompanied by aconsiderable growth in mechanized tunneling. The construction of shallow tunnels of large diameter leadsto the ground movement which could adversely affect the abutting structures. Excessive vertical andhorizontal displacements pose a major threat to these structures. Preventive measures such as diaphragmwalls and a row of soldier piles can effectively protect adjacent structures from possible damages.This research specifically assesses the effectiveness of a simple row of soldier piles by three-dimensionalsimulation with finite difference approach. Moreover, the relationship between the performance and majorgeometrical parameters such as spacing among the piles, distance from tunnel axis and piles length ingreenfield condition are investigated.The simulation results show a strong relation between the length of piles and displacement reduction. Pilesshould be founded at least half a tunnel diameter below the invert and in all cases, a row of piles performbetter when the space among them is low.

Keywords:

Tunneling , Soldier piles , Finite difference , Settlement