Tunnelling induced settlements in saturated soils under partially drained conditions

Abstract

The present paper investigates the effect of the consolidation process on surface settlements developing during on-going tunnel advance or during standstills in water bearing ground. Comparative coupled hydro-mechanical analyses of 3D tunnel models have been performed for the paper. The results illustrate how surface settlements are affected by the advance rate, lining permeability and (for closed shield tunnelling) by the compensation of water pressure at the face, paying particular attention to medium-permeability soils.