Volume 42, N. 3

September-December 2019

3D Finite Element Analysis of Diaphragm Wall Construction Stages in Sand

Article

Volume 42, N. 3, September-December 2019 | DOWNLOAD PDF (32 downloads)

Abstract

Construction of underground structures may impose a hazardous effect on adjacent buildings due to ground movements caused by the construction of side support system and excavation. Most studies focus on predicting the soil movements due to excavation, however, limited research is performed to predict the effect of the construction process of the side support walls. Therefore, a 3D numerical model is developed to better understand the influence of installing diaphragm walls in sandy soils. A verification model has been used to validate the modeling of diaphragm wall construction sequence and its outputs using field data measurements of a selected case study. The diaphragm wall construction process is simulated using the WIM and WIP methods. This study has proved that WIM method is capable of simulating the construction stages and capturing the changes in soil stresses and displacements. Moreover, the results show that modeling diaphragm wall installation as a plane strain problem leads to the overestimation of the soil displacements. In addition, the effect of related parameters including; panel length, panel width, soil relative density, and moisture condition have been studied. The anticipated soil stresses and displacements during the construction process of diaphragm walls are presented. Finally, the effect of the selected modeling method (WIP or WIM) on the anticipated displacements during the following excavation stage is highlighted.


Submitted on March 28, 2019.
Final Acceptance on August 01, 2019.
Discussion open until April 30, 2020.
DOI: 10.28927/SR.423311