Behaviour of buildings due to Tunnel Induced subsidence
In urban areas tunnelling can induce ground movements which distort and, in severe
cases, damage overlying buildings and services. The conventional design methods, used in
engineering practice to assess these deformations, are based on empiricism gained from green
field sites and consequently do not account for important characteristics of these structures.
Furthermore the mechanisms which control this tunnel-soil-structure interaction problem are
not well understood.
Recently, a new approach, based on the relative stiffness of a building and the underlying
soil, has been proposed to account for the effect of a building stiffness when predicting its
deformation and potential damage. The objective of this thesis is to assess this new approach
and extend its applicability. This has been achieved by performing parametric studies using
both two and three dimensional finite element analyses and by reviewing field data obtained
during the construction of the Jubilee Line Extension. In particular the effect of building
weight, the nature of the contact between the building foundations and the soil and the
geometry of the building with respect to the direction of tunnelling on the behaviour of the
building has been investigated.
soil, has been proposed to account for the effect of a building stiffness when predicting its
deformation and potential damage. The objective of this thesis is to assess this new approach
and extend its applicability. This has been achieved by performing parametric studies using
both two and three dimensional finite element analyses and by reviewing field data obtained
during the construction of the Jubilee Line Extension. In particular the effect of building
weight, the nature of the contact between the building foundations and the soil and the
geometry of the building with respect to the direction of tunnelling on the behaviour of the
building has been investigated.
