Search results

1 – 10 of 304
Article
Publication date: 5 July 2021

Tamir Amari and Mohamed Nabil Houhou

This paper aims to investigate single pile and pile group responses due to deep braced excavation-induced soil movement in soft clay overlying dense sand. The analysis focuses…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate single pile and pile group responses due to deep braced excavation-induced soil movement in soft clay overlying dense sand. The analysis focuses first on the response of vertical single pile in terms of induced bending moment, lateral deflection, induced axial force, skin resistance distribution and pile settlement. To better understand the single pile behaviour, a parametric study was carried out. To provide further insights about the response of pile group system, different pile group configurations were considered.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the explicit finite element code PLAXIS 3 D, a full three-dimensional numerical analysis is carried out to investigate pile responses when performing an adjacent deep braced excavation. The numerical model was validated based on the results of a centrifuge test. The relevance of the 3 D model is also judged by comparison with the 2 D plane strain model using the PLAXIS 2 D code.

Findings

The results obtained allowed a thorough understanding of the pile response and the soil–pile–structure interactions phenomenon. The findings reveal that the deep excavation may cause appreciable bending moments, lateral deflections and axial forces in nearby piles. The parametric study showed that the pile responses are strongly influenced by the excavation depth, relative pile location, sand density, excavation support system and pile length. It also showed that the response of a pile within a group depends on its location in relation to the other piles of the pile group, its distance from the retaining wall and the number of piles in the group.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies which investigated the problem in homogeneous geological context (sand or clay), in this paper, the pile response was thoroughly studied in a multi-layered soil using 3 D numerical simulation. To take into account the small-strain nonlinear behaviour of the soil, the Hardening soil model with small-strain stiffness was used in this analysis. For a preliminary design, this numerical study can serve as a practical basis for similar projects.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 19 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 February 2020

Hong-Wei Ying, Kang Cheng, Li-Sha Zhang, Chang-Yu Ou and Yong-Wen Yang

Deep excavation in soft clay often causes additional deformations to surroundings. Then, if deformations cannot be predicted reasonably, the adjacent buildings may be threatened…

Abstract

Purpose

Deep excavation in soft clay often causes additional deformations to surroundings. Then, if deformations cannot be predicted reasonably, the adjacent buildings may be threatened by the deep excavation. Based on the good field observations from ten deep excavations in Hangzhou, this paper aims to thoroughly investigate the characteristics of wall deflections and ground settlements induced by deep excavations.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of good field observation of ten deep excavations, the performances of excavations, supported by contiguous pile in Hangzhou, were studied, and also compared with other case histories.

Findings

The maximum wall deflections (dhm) rang mostly from 0.7 to 1.2 per cent He, where He is the final excavation depth, larger than those in Taipei and Shanghai. The observed maximum ground settlement in the Hangzhou cases generally ranges from 0.2 to 0.8 per cent He. Then, the settlement influence zone extends to a distance of 2.0-4.0 He from the excavation. The relatively large movements and influence zones in Hangzhou may be attributed to low stability numbers, large excavation widths and the creep effect. The excavation width is justified to have a significant influence on the wall deflection. Therefore, to establish a semi-empirical formula for predicting the maximum wall deflection, it is necessary to include the factor of excavation width.

Originality/value

The relevant literature concentrated on the characteristics of deep excavations supported by the contiguous pile wall in Hangzhou soft clay can rarely be found. Based on the ten deep excavations with good field observation in Hangzhou, the characteristics of wall deflection and ground settlements were comprehensively studied for the first time, which can provide some theoretical support for similar projects.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 37 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 May 2019

Zhi Ding, Xinjiang Wei, Xiao Zhang and Xinsheng Yin

The shield tunnels closely constructed near the foundations have an inevitable influence on the structures, even results in the large settlement or uplift of the structures.

Abstract

Purpose

The shield tunnels closely constructed near the foundations have an inevitable influence on the structures, even results in the large settlement or uplift of the structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The comparison of structural deformation of three different foundations is presented based on the field monitoring data.

Findings

Shield tunnelling parameters vary for the different types of foundations. For the long pile foundations, the recommended speed is 3 to 4 cm/min, the grouting pressure is about 0.3 MPa and the grouting rate ranges from 150 to 180.

Originality/value

The study based on the field monitoring data is rarely reported, especially the topic about the structural deformation of different types of the foundations.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 June 2023

Honggui Di, Yuyin Jin, Shunhua Zhou and Di Wu

The application of servo steel struts enables the active control of the excavation-induced deformation in foundation pits. However, there is currently only one design axial force…

Abstract

Purpose

The application of servo steel struts enables the active control of the excavation-induced deformation in foundation pits. However, there is currently only one design axial force for each servo steel strut, which requires in-situ axial force adjustments based on the experience of site engineers. The purpose of this study is to develop a method for determining the design axial forces of servo steel struts at different excavation steps.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a hybrid method for determining the design axial forces of servo steel struts in different excavation steps was established based on the combination of the elastic foundation beam model and nonlinear optimisation.

Findings

The hybrid method is capable of providing a better set of design axial forces than the original design method. The lateral wall displacement and bending moment could be better controlled. Ordinary steel struts should be prevented from being set between servo steel struts to avoid axial force losses.

Practical implications

The axial forces of the servo steel struts at different excavation steps should be designed to achieve better deformation control effects. Moreover, a well-designed set of axial forces can also reduce the internal forces of the retaining structure.

Originality/value

The hybrid method enables the determination of the design axial forces of servo steel struts at different excavation steps, which can guide axial force adjustments in practical projects.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 40 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2020

Kang Cheng, Xu Riqing, Hong-wei Ying, Lin Cungang and Xiaolu Gan

The purpose of this study is to present a simplified analytical method to estimate ground lateral displacement due to excavation. Excavations of foundation pit will inevitably…

288

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a simplified analytical method to estimate ground lateral displacement due to excavation. Excavations of foundation pit will inevitably lead to soil movements that may adversely impact surrounding facilities or structures. Thus, estimation of the ground displacement induced by excavation is essential in engineering practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a theory of elastic mechanics, a simplified analytical method for predicting the ground lateral displacement resulting from foundation pit excavation is proposed.

Findings

As the distance from the soil to the supporting structure increases, the maximum ground lateral displacement decreases nonlinearly but at a reduced rate. Poisson’s ratio of soil has a mild influence on the ground lateral displacement, whereas the influence of the supporting structure’s deflection modes is significant.

Originality/value

The advantage of the proposed simplified analytical method lies in that it considers the supporting structure’s arbitrary deflections, giving it wider practical applicability than previous methods.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 37 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 October 2020

Mohamed Nabil Houhou, Abderahim Belounar, Tamir Amari and Abdelaziz Brouthen

This paper aims to focus on three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulation of a monitored urban underground road consisting of diaphragm walls supported by one row of temporary steel…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulation of a monitored urban underground road consisting of diaphragm walls supported by one row of temporary steel struts and a cover slab in the central area. In addition to the lateral wall displacements, the analysis focuses on the load development in the struts and the evolution of the total stresses at the soil–wall interface, and highlights the 3D effect on the behavior of the structure.

Design/methodology/approach

Computation by back-analysis has become an important contribution to the understanding of observed phenomena. In this context, this paper investigates a full 3D numerical back-analysis of diaphragm wall deformation using the finite difference code FLAC3D.

Findings

The instrumentation allows a deep understanding of the ground response and the soil-structure interaction phenomena. It also provides an opportunity to validate numerical models. Using a soil model with simple failure criteria, the wall displacements are strongly influenced by the soil deformation modulus. The strut stiffness considerably influences the wall behavior. The geometrical effects have a significant impact on the induced wall displacements.

Originality/value

In the present study, the main soil geotechnical characteristics were deduced from laboratory and in situ tests. However, Young’s modulus of the soil has been adjusted to take account of the unloading effect. In the same context, the non-linearity of the elastic characteristics of the steel struts has been taken into account by modeling the struts using their experimental stiffness instead of their theoretical rigidity.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 July 2019

Zhi Ding, Xiao Zhang, Xinsheng Yin and Jiqing Jiang

This paper aims to analyse the effect of soft soil grouting on the deformation of the closed shield tunnel with the measured data.

261

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the effect of soft soil grouting on the deformation of the closed shield tunnel with the measured data.

Design/methodology/approach

Combining the measured data of vertical, horizontal and convergence deformation of the adjacent tunnel during the grouting construction in foundation pit engineering, the influence of grouting on metro tunnel in soft soil area is analyzed.

Findings

The researches indicate that early grouting has the main effect on the horizontal displacement of the tunnel; Due to the disturbing effect of the uninterrupted grouting construction on the soil and the transfer pressure of the rheological soil to the bottom of the tunnel, the tunnel is obviously lifted; And the convergence deformation of the tunnel increases caused by the overburden pressure in the vertical direction, so that the tunnel appears the phenomenon of staggered seam, large opening of bolted joint, damaged segment even leakage of water.

Originality/value

The study based on the field monitoring data is rarely reported, especially the topic about inadvertent grouting in soft soil area is likely to cause severe deformation of adjacent metro tunnel.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 36 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2000

Lawrance Hurst

This paper explains the reasons for the appointment of an engineer by an adjoining owner’s surveyor in the context of party wall and adjacent excavation works. Recent changes in…

1623

Abstract

This paper explains the reasons for the appointment of an engineer by an adjoining owner’s surveyor in the context of party wall and adjacent excavation works. Recent changes in contract procedures and professional relationships, together with associated downward pressures on fees, are identified as having contributed to a vulnerability for adjoining owners in these circumstances. The engineer’s role in scrutinising temporary works is therefore demonstrated to provide an increasingly important safeguard for adjoining owners.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 18 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 January 2021

Honggui Di, Shihao Huang, Longlong Fu and Binglong Wang

The paper aims to predict longitudinal deformation of a tunnel caused by grouting under the tunnel bottom in advance according to the grouting parameters, which can ensure the…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to predict longitudinal deformation of a tunnel caused by grouting under the tunnel bottom in advance according to the grouting parameters, which can ensure the safety of the tunnel structure during the grouting process and also help to design the grouting parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopted the analytical approach for calculating the longitudinal deformation of a shield tunnel caused by grouting under a tunnel, including usage of the Mindlin’s solution, the minimum potential energy principle and case validation.

Findings

The paper provides a variational method for calculating the longitudinal deformation of a shield tunnel in soft soil caused by grouting under the tunnel, which has high computational efficiency and accuracy.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study how the longitudinal deformation of a shield tunnel in soft soil caused by grouting under the tunnel can be calculated.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 38 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 July 2018

Xiaoli Yan and Young-Chan Kim

The purpose of this paper is to timely control of a construction collapse accident effectively during its development process by constructing a stage model and then aligning IT…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to timely control of a construction collapse accident effectively during its development process by constructing a stage model and then aligning IT with each stage to help provide the information for decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

Through comprehensive literature review, this paper first identifies the various IT applications in on-site construction monitoring and analyzes the existed disaster/crisis stage models, also the stage models are compared with the causation models to illustrate the strengths. Then, a three-step methodology was conducted to develop and apply the conceptual framework, including the construction of the four-stage model; the establishment of the conceptual framework of information technology (IT) support for management of construction accidents (ITSMCA); and a building collapse accident used to illustrate the proposed framework.

Findings

The accident is divided into four stages, which are incubation stage, outbreak stage, spreading stage and final stage. The real-time staged information to support decision making, such as the contributing factors of on-site workers, materials, equipment and workplace, can be provided by emerging IT. Therefore, IT is aligned with the variations of contributing factors’ attributes in the four stages and ITSMCA is constructed to help accidents management.

Research limitations/implications

The focus of the framework presented in this paper is that the stage model is effective for it catches the variations of the attributes whose values can be provided by IT rather than research on the practical application of the IT system. The construction and application of the IT system will be the research focus in the future.

Originality/value

This paper presents a stage model of a building collapse accident and gives a comprehensive conceptual framework of ITSMCA, which align the IT with different stages of the collapse accident. The ITSMCA proposes a feasible ideology and practical method for real-time management of the collapse accident during the process.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 25 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

1 – 10 of 304