Finite element simulation of shallow-buried and mining tunnelling in adjacent frame structures

Abstract

By using three dimensional software MIDAS/GTS, the interactions among structures-soil-tunnel system is considered in this paper, and the working condition of shallow-buried underground excavation is simulated in the foundation of frame structures with the short-pile. The loadings and deformations of structures are studied before and after the tunnelling, and the influences of the following factors, including the horizontal position of tunnel and building, the height of building and the soil property, are analyzed. It is indicated that when the horizontal distance L equals zero (the distance between building axis to the tunnel axis), the building settlement increases gradually and shows a normal distribution during and after the tunnelling. Due to the small stiffness of frame structures with short-pile foundations, the building has large nonuniform settlement. When the distance of excavation is no less than 1.8 times of the thickness of overburden soil, the building settlement becomes stable, and the first principal stress P1 and maximum deformation rate E1 generally show a trend of decrease. With the increasing L, P1 and E1 will decrease accordingly, and the buildings tend to be inclined toward the tunnel. For a relatively larger distance, the building is nearly not affected.

Keywords

• Shallow-buried underground excavation; Finite element method; Frame structure; Short-pile foundation