Prediction of Ground Surface Displacements and Lateral Movements Caused by Deep Excavations

Abstract

The design of deep excavation support systems are the most important issues in geotechnical engineering. In recent years, requirements of the underground structures are increasing because land prices and population density are increasing in Turkey as well as all in the world. Underground structures are made with deep excavation systems. Deep excavations can be opened with different methods such as cut and cover (C&C), supported/unsupported pile system or diaphragm wall. In the last decades, collapses are occurring frequently during deep excavation constructions. As a result of these collapses, high material damage and damage to surrounding buildings or roads may happen. Moreover, it causes loss of human life. The most important part of preventing collapses is to set up a real life model and apply the excavation safety precautions. There are many approaches, empirical formulas and failure models in the literature. Nowadays, numerical analysis modelling is more reasonable, practical and faster with the development of computers. Realistic soil parameters should be used to reflect the real field into the model.

In this study, a real case was examined. A deep excavation support system’s lateral and vertical displacement values were compared with field and model values. The model was set up by using Plaxis-2D program which is a finite element program. Plaxis is a frequently used program around the world. At the end of the study, it is determined which parameter value(s) should be changed to find realistic lateral wall displacement and vertical ground movement values.