A Preliminary Study on Mitigation Techniques for 3D Deformation of Adjacent Buildings Induced by Tunnelling in Water-Rich Strata: A Case

Abstract

Controlling the ground settlement and building deformation triggered by shield tunnelling, particularly within water-rich strata, poses a significant engineering challenge. This study conducts a finite element (FE) analysis focusing on the ground settlement and deformation of adjacent structures (with a minimum distance of 2.6 m to the tunnel) due to earth pressure balance (EPB) shield tunnelling. The analysis incorporates the influence of groundwater through a 3D fluid–solid coupling model. This study assesses the effects of tunnelling on the behaviour of nearby buildings and introduces two mitigation strategies: the vertical partition method and the portal partition method. Their effectiveness is compared and evaluated. Our findings reveal that the deformation curves of the stratum and the building are influenced by the accumulation and dissipation of pore pressure. The vertical partition method reduced surface settlement by approximately 70%, while the portal partition method further minimized building deformation but required careful application to avoid issues like uplift. Both methods effectively mitigate the impacts of tunnel construction, with the portal partition method offering superior performance in terms of material use and cost efficiency. This research provides a scientific foundation and technical guidance for similar engineering endeavours, which is vital for ensuring the safety of metro tunnel construction and the stability of adjacent buildings.

Keywords

• deformation mitigation
• numerical modelling
• water-rich strata
• building
• tunnelling
• EPB shield