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Ian Turner
Senior Engineer
Assessment of ground
Water & Environment movement impacts on
Atkins
existing tunnels
Abstract
As an increasing number of tunnelling schemes are being designed and
Michael Yap constructed in congested cities around the world, the complications
Tunnel Engineer involved as a consequence of tunnelling on existing sub-surface
structures are becoming ever more challenging for engineers. Most
Water & Environment
would agree that the impact of tunnelling-induced ground movement
Atkins on existing tunnels is an important issue, and the need for improved
technical knowledge for solving this complex soil-structure interaction
problem is essential. This paper initially explores the paradox of
commonly used semi-empirical methods for predicting the 3D
tunnelling-induced ground movements. The potential effects of these
ground movements on the longitudinal and transverse response on the
structural behaviour of the existing tunnels are then investigated. The
shortcomings of commonly adopted assessment methods which may
result in non-conservatism and mask critical issues of existing tunnels
at tunnel crossings are highlighted throughout the discussion. This
paper also demonstrates the use of modern computing to do powerful
complex analysis to solve the complexities of soil-structure interaction
and manage risks associated with tunnel crossings.
Introduction
As mass transit and other tunnelling are assessed. Throughout the discussion,
schemes are constructed in increasingly issues with non-conservative assumptions
developed urban areas, the impacts and methods of analysis are highlighted,
of tunnelling on existing tunnels are which could potentially mask the most
becoming ever more important. The significant issues of existing tunnels at
problem of soil-structure interaction tunnel crossings.
is relatively complex, and the need for
improved knowledge of the impacts
of new tunnelling works on existing
Case histories
tunnels is essential to obtain a thorough One of the challenges in understanding
understanding of such issues. the effect of tunnel induced settlements
This paper initially examines historic on existing tunnels is the limited number
case studies that form a useful basis for of published case histories. The problems
predictions of likely induced movements of predicting ground movements and
of existing tunnels caused by tunnel structural performance of existing tunnels
construction, which often provide a are complex and to fully understand
database against which modelling the behaviour at these tunnel crossings,
assumptions can be verified. The use not only does the performance of an
and limitations of simple semi-empirical existing tunnel have to be extensively
methods for predicting the three documented, details of the construction
dimensional ground displacements of the new tunnel are equally important.
caused by tunnel construction are The lack of quality information adds to
the dilemma as, quite often, ground
Tunnelling
113
Figure 1. Rotation of Piccadilly Line tunnel as new tunnel passes beneath Heathrow 3
this approach has proved to be reliable depth of cover between tunnels is large, Sink method unless very close proximities
for many different scenarios, there are but as the cover distance reduces, the are being considered or the tunnel has a
situations where the approach has proved predicted ribbon sink trough becomes significantly non-circular geometry.
to have limitations. flatter than the Gaussian trough, giving a
similar response to adjusting the trough Figure 3 shows the ground movement
One particular situation where this is the width parameter for the Gaussian trough. predictions using the Gaussian, ribbon
case is in assessing ground movements sink and discretised methods. The two
close to the source of movement An alternative approach available with ground movement graphs are shown
generation where the assumptions modern computing power is simply with depth of source taken to the axis
appear to break down and modifications to discretise the face into a number level and to the invert level respectively.
to the method are required, such as of smaller point sources (Figure 2), The discretised profiles are identical as
changing the trough width parameter9. an approach that has been adopted they have been calculated assuming
The main reason for this is that when for modelling settlement troughs due source at the centre of the each element.
the existing tunnel is in close proximity to jacked boxes. By breaking a tunnel It is observed that the main distinction is
to the new tunnel, the assumption of a into a number of smaller sources, the reduction in maximum settlement,
point source is no longer valid and the the basic equations of the Gaussian and the flatter and wider trough when
shape and size of the tunnel will have an trough can be used to predict the the source of ground movement is
effect on the result. This often poses a cumulative settlement due to each of assumed to be at the invert. In hindsight,
challenge when considering the effects the small regions. This approach has the location of the source of ground
of one tunnel on another because the the advantage of taking into account movement could perhaps be subjected
crossings are often close, with less than both tunnel size and geometry, allowing to further investigation, and could
two diameters between the tunnels. unusual geometries and sequences to potentially be influenced by various
At these distances, the geometry of be considered with ease. This approach factors including the construction method
the tunnel causing the movement results in very similar results to the Ribbon of the new tunnel and ground conditions.
becomes important to the shape of the
settlement trough and therefore needs to The current challenge with all of
be considered. these approaches is ensuring that the
parameters used are consistent with
Solutions of predicting sub-surface the technology being adopted for the
ground movements close to the source ground movement prediction. Modern
of movement exist in a number of ground movement prediction is still
different forms. A common approach fundamentally a statistical assessment
is to adopt a closed form solution for method that is a subject of various
a more sophisticated source for the influencing factors, and as such relies
ground movement such as a ribbon sink on databases from back analyses to give
method13. This approach assumes that assessors reasonable input parameters for
the source of the ground movement is their assessment. Although all methods
evenly distributed over the width of the use the same parameters, there is no
new tunnel at invert level, rather than reason why for a given depth and tunnel
axis level, and has shown to be of better geometry the parameters used in the
agreement to the field data obtained assessment, the trough width parameter,
from the Heathrow Express trial tunnel. Figure 2. One method of discretising into K, and even the volume loss, V, should be
This results in a settlement trough very a number of smaller point sources - using the same.
similar to the Gaussian trough when the Delaunay triangulation (From Python code) Tunnelling
Figure 3. A comparison of ground movement predictions with source taken to axis level (left) and to invert level (right) on the same vertical scale
(From Python code)
115
The longitudinal effect:
effects of ground
movements along the axis of
the existing tunnel
Having predicted the ‘greenfield’
ground movements around the existing
tunnel, an assessment of the impact
of the ground movement on these
tunnels is normally undertaken. One
consequence of these ground movements
is the structural response along the
length of the existing tunnel. This
section sets out to discuss the potential
longitudinal structural behaviour of the
existing tunnel.
As noted in historic case studies, there
has been evidence that the stiffness of
the existing tunnel can affect the shape Figure 4. Comparison between Greenfield and beam-spring ground movement profiles (from MS
of the predicted ‘greenfield’ settlement Excel)
trough, with trough being wider and
shallower as a result of the stiffness of of soil-structure interaction, even if of beams with the appropriate sectional
the existing tunnel. Whilst it is typically the final assessment is based on the properties, attached to vertical and axial
conservative not to consider the soil- ‘greenfield’ ground movements. Winkler springs at the nodal ends. Springs
structure interaction, it is possible that not are usually linear elastic, but non-linear
The simplest method to take into account elasto-plastic no-tension springs can be
considering the interaction could result in soil-structure interaction is to adopt a
the need to construct extensive mitigation adopted for a more sophisticated model.
beam-spring model. This methodology has
measures which in themselves hold risks been used for many years for assessing the Greenfield ground movements are
of unplanned outcomes. Not considering settlement impacts on existing pipelines subsequently applied to these springs,
soil-structure interaction is also likely to and other small diameter tunnels2,7 as well either as forced displacements or by
result in an underestimate of the width of as larger diameter tunnels12. A beam- using a spring softening approach where
the settlement trough. For this reason, it spring model can be used to investigate the spring stiffness is progressively
is important for the assessment engineer this soil-structure interaction, where the decreased by an amount proportional to
to consider, in minimal, the implications existing tunnel can be modelled as a series the Greenfield ground movement at that
Figure 5. Results from beam-spring model which allows brittle cracking of the lining and a reduction in sectional capacity (from Python code)
116
114 Assessment of ground movement impacts on
existing tunnels
normally have been predicted. In some increases the flexibility of the tunnel. In
circumstances, the model predicts that tunnel. This section sets out to discuss
some circumstances the original tunnel the potential effects of the cross sectional
rapid destruction of the structure through may have sufficient strength to avoid
cracking can occur for relatively small behaviour of the existing tunnel.
localised failure of the lining under
changes in ground movement. longitudinal bending and so would have Case history information on the
One approach to mitigate the build up suffered little, if any, damage prior to movements of the existing tunnel in the
of longitudinal strains along an existing the introduction of flexible elements. cross-sectional direction is less common
tunnel is to create circumferential The introduction of the movement than for the longitudinal movement.
117
Figure 7. Simple geometric approach to cross-sectional analysis caused by tunnelling
The case histories do, however, give at opposite ends of a tunnel diameter settlement trough does not take the
reasonably consistent indications that (Figure 7), to give a better understanding form of a smooth S-curve but a complex
provided the tunnel is sufficiently of the distortion in shape of the tunnel. curve representing the different sources
flexible, the tunnel movements can This assessment also considers a number of ground movement around the face of
be predicted based on the ‘greenfield’ of different face locations for the a tunnel being constructed16,5,8. So how
movement assumptions. new tunnel, giving a comprehensive does this non-linear behaviour affect the
assessment for the temporal changes to tunnel distortion predictions?
The key issue to take into account with ground movements and consequently
the transverse effect is that a large part the shape of the existing tunnel as the To assess this, a simple model has been
of the effect occurs due to the movement new tunnel is driven beneath. Effects like developed to undertake assessments
of the ground around the tunnel face. skew and dip in alignment can also be consistent with the approach proposed
Analytically, ground movements around considered in such an analysis. above, but where the tunnel settlement
the tunnel face are typically assumed is modelled by multiple faces positioned
to take the form of an S-curve defined When assessments are undertaken in this one behind another with slightly different
by the cumulative normal distribution1. manner, some of the key effects that are trough width parameters and volumes for
Broadly speaking, based on this observed include: each trough. This approach generates a
assumption, points in the ground tend to complex trough in a way that makes the
move towards the source of the ground • The maximum distortion is not on assessments consistent with those used
movements and points closer to the the principal axes but is usually on a for a simple S-curve trough.
source of the movement tend to move diagonal axis;
more than points further away from the • The maximum distortion is temporal, As with the longitudinal effect, one
source of the ground movement. with the maximum final distortion less issue that has to be addressed for the
than maximum measured distortion; transverse effect is the tunnel stiffness.
To give a complete assessment of these Whilst the approaches discussed
effects, a number of different positions • The final distorted shape of the above are appropriate for a flexible
for the source of the settlement need to existing tunnel indicates that lining, if a stiff monolithic lining is
be considered in order to account for the ovalisation rather than squat of considered, significant variance from
transitory effect as ground movements the tunnel occurs, and the vertical the prediction could be encountered
develop. Similarly, the maximum diameter increases whilst the during construction. The same issues
distortion of the existing tunnel often horizontal diameter decreases. Since that apply to the longitudinal effect also
does not occur on one of the principal most tunnels typically are more likely apply to the transverse effect with respect
axes, vertical and horizontal, but on to be built with a vertical squat, the to the stiffness of the existing tunnel.
an angle as the TBM face passes. A transverse settlement effects can be In particular:
complete assessment therefore requires beneficial in the final condition.
the distortion to be assessed in a more • Stiff tunnels will provide more
Although these effects are consistent with resistance to movement and so the
comprehensive, staged manner. observed behaviour such as the Piccadilly simple application of the ‘greenfield’
A simple approach to this problem is Line at Heathrow4, the assumption of a ground movement predictions to a
to undertake the ground movement simple S-curve longitudinal settlement stiff tunnel will over predict the loads
prediction at a number of evenly trough is, in many circumstances, a on the tunnel;
spaced points on the tunnel perimeter significant simplification. There are many
documented cases where the longitudinal
118
114 Assessment of ground movement impacts on
existing tunnels
Conclusion
The ground movement effects on existing
tunnels are clearly an important issue
for future tunnelling, as an increasing
number of urban tunnels are constructed
with ever more tunnel crossings. A good
understanding of the behaviour of these
crossings is therefore essential to manage
the risk to future construction.
The use of simple semi-empirical method
for predicting the three dimensional
ground displacements caused by tunnel
construction is an essential tool for tunnel
assessments. However, the limitations of
these predictions should be recognised,
whilst noting that they are fundamentally
a subject of various influencing factors,
and as such rely on databases from back
analyses to give assessors reasonable
20
input parameters for their assessment.
Ground movement prediction is closely
related to structural performance and
the interaction between the ground and ∆ max
10
the tunnel. This complexity means that
normally conservative assumptions may mm
not be appropriate and in some instances
∆ min
could even mask the most significant
issues with particular tunnel crossings. mm 0
In the assessment of the longitudinal
structural behaviour of an existing tunnel,
the principles of strain ‘concentrators’,
formed naturally at points of weakness or
− 10
Tunnelling
119
on a diagonal axis as the new tunnel predictions of the response of tunnels to
is constructed. movements as well as the ability to better
manage the risk associated with these
The capacity of modern computing to do types of tunnel crossings.
complex calculations quickly and easily
can provide the tools to look into these
complex interactions. This gives us the
capability to undertake more reliable
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