Investigation of Empirical and Analytical Methods Accuracy for Surface Settlement Prediction in Train Tunnel Excavation Projects

Abstract

Ground deformation, due to tunneling, is one of the most significant challenges in tunnel design in soft ground along with, the predicting the related effects of tunneling on nearby structures. One of the methods of predicting ground settlement in tunneling projects, is to use analytical and numerical methods. By measuring the amount of settlement with accurate instruments and back-analysis of behavioral measurement data, in addition to estimating the state of settlement of the ground and surrounding structures, it is possible to determine the geotechnical parameters of the soil and structure in the design of upcoming sections and future designs. In this study, an attempt has been made to verify the measured settlements caused by digging the tunnel of an urban train line, by using back analysis. For this purpose, comparisons with predictions obtained from empirical and analytical methods and the Geotechnical Engineering Finite Element Analysis software (PLAXIS) was used. The results show that often, the empirical methods obtain values more than the measured values, for ground settlement.