Measured and Back Analysed Soil Structure Interaction Effects in a Layered Stratigraphy During Tunnel Boring

The paper compares the soil structure interaction effects predicted using a finite element (FE) program with those observed during a bored tunnel project conducted in Perth, Western Australia. Both the measured data and geotechnical characteristics of the subsoils are described before presenting comparisons between measurements and analyses. The measured settlement data for two buildings are seen to be dependent on the structural stiffness. It is shown that, in keeping with observations by others, FE predictions of tunnelling induced movement patterns are not predicted to a satisfactory level of accuracy. However, it is also shown that FE analyses of the type described may be employed to provide qualitative information on soil-structure interaction effects. © 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland.