Assessment of pile response due to deep excavation in close proximity—A case study based on DTL3 Tampines West Station

Abstract

Ground movements during deep excavations and tunnelling, especially in urban areas, may potentially have major impact on adjacent buildings, structures and utilities. This impact on buildings and structures needs to be assessed by considering the horizontal and vertical displacements induced by deep excavations to determine the necessary mitigation measures. One major factor affecting the degree of severity the impact due to deep excavation may have on the buildings and structures is the type of foundation systems. While methodology in determining the damage category for the buildings on shallow foundation has been quite well established, the methodology for assessing the impact on the pile foundation is not straightforward due to the geometry and complexity of soil structure interaction. Often simplified two-dimensional (2D) or comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) finite element analyses would be carried out for the stage excavation to predict the displacement and stresses in the piles. Suitable protective and preventive measures would need to be designed and implemented for the existing buildings/structures if the damage category falls within the unacceptable range. This paper discusses the analysis and methodology to assess the effect on the pile foundation of a high-rise building due to the deep excavation of the Down Town Line Stage 3 (DTL3) Tampines West (TPW) Station. The approach to assess the geotechnical capacity of the pile as a result of the deep excavation is presented in this paper. Based on the assessment of pile response, predicted movement, structural and geotechnical capacities of the pile, it was found to be within the acceptable limit and the pile foundation has adequate factor of safety with the deep excavation in close proximity.

Keywords

• underground excavation
• damage assessment
• prediction of pile behaviour
• numerical analysis