Tunnel-pile-soil interaction

Abstract

Too many developments in urban area has forced the authority to look for alternative way to occupy the underground space for development. Many parts of the world especially developing countries has started utilizing subsurface area for development of transportation system, township, telecommunication, defence and etc. Tunnelling is needed to expand and provide better transportation in urban area which currently facing shortage of surface space. Therefore, tunnelling close to existing structure in urban area is become unavoidable. Tunnelling works close to existing structure will cause some effect to the existing structures when the structures falls in the tunnelling influence zone. Further to this, the risk arises to existing structures due to tunnelling works need to be seriously focused as it may cause catastrophic failures of structures and can cause losses of human lives. Considering these risks, this study focuses on the tunnel-pile-soil interaction by performing a physical modelling test. By doing laboratory tests, ground subsidence and displacement of piles which positioned in the tunnel influence zone has been measured and discussed. Volume loss and type of soil is kept constant while the location of ground subsidence is measured at different location along the tunnel alignment. The results obtained compared to previous studies and discussed. The axial and lateral displacement of pile is higher when it is placed close to tunnelling activity. The ground surface subsidence is lesser when the pile is close to tunnel during tunnelling advancement. Bending moment of the pile observed higher at Zone II of tunnel influence zone.