A 3D numerical case study of sprayed concrete Lining tunnel construction beneath an existing building
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
LIU, Jiaming
Tsiampousi, Katerina
Ruiz Lopez, Agustin
Taborda, David
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
The potential impact of tunnelling on the serviceability of existing infrastructures must be carefully considered before construction. 3D Finite Element (FE) analysis has proved to be a useful method when predicting the impact of tunnelling superstructures. Compared with 2D FE analysis, it enables the step-by-step tunnel construction process to be simulated, as well as geometries along the direction of tunnelling to be considered realistically. To minimize ground movements, large diameter Sprayed
Concrete Lining (SCL) tunnels are commonly constructed through a sequence where a smaller pilot tunnel is excavated first, followed by the enlargement of the pilot tunnel into the full-size tunnel. Such construction process, not typically investigated with 3D FE analysis, is considered in this paper with the simulation of the construction of the Elizabeth Line through a site near Whitechapel station in London, UK. This location provides an interesting case study because the surface settlements of both a greenfield section and of a three-storey building were monitored during construction. The greenfield section was simulated first to gain an understanding of how the construction sequence, various soil properties and tunnel lining stiffness affected the obtained ground movements. The section including the building was investigated subsequently with an emphasis on the evolution of the ground surface settlement with the
advancement of tunnel excavation, as well as on the influence of the pilot-enlargement tunnel construction sequence. The results are in good agreement with the field measurements. Moreover, it is highlighted that during enlargement, bending of the existing pilot tunnel lining in sections yet to be enlarged occurs, which in turn affects how the ground surface settlement develops. This investigation demonstrates that the interaction mechanisms between pilot and enlargement tunnels are complex and that considering the detailed construction sequence is essential to capture the movements of the ground and superstructures in numerical analysis.
Concrete Lining (SCL) tunnels are commonly constructed through a sequence where a smaller pilot tunnel is excavated first, followed by the enlargement of the pilot tunnel into the full-size tunnel. Such construction process, not typically investigated with 3D FE analysis, is considered in this paper with the simulation of the construction of the Elizabeth Line through a site near Whitechapel station in London, UK. This location provides an interesting case study because the surface settlements of both a greenfield section and of a three-storey building were monitored during construction. The greenfield section was simulated first to gain an understanding of how the construction sequence, various soil properties and tunnel lining stiffness affected the obtained ground movements. The section including the building was investigated subsequently with an emphasis on the evolution of the ground surface settlement with the
advancement of tunnel excavation, as well as on the influence of the pilot-enlargement tunnel construction sequence. The results are in good agreement with the field measurements. Moreover, it is highlighted that during enlargement, bending of the existing pilot tunnel lining in sections yet to be enlarged occurs, which in turn affects how the ground surface settlement develops. This investigation demonstrates that the interaction mechanisms between pilot and enlargement tunnels are complex and that considering the detailed construction sequence is essential to capture the movements of the ground and superstructures in numerical analysis.
Date Issued
2026-06-19
Date Acceptance
2025-11-25
Citation
Proceedings of the 21st ICSMGE, 2026, pp.2879-2884
ISBN
978-3-9503898-4-5
Publisher
ÖGG, Austrian Society for Geomechanics
Start Page
2879
End Page
2884
Journal / Book Title
Proceedings of the 21st ICSMGE
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Author(s).
Source
21st international conference on soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2026-06-14
Finish Date
2026-06-19
Coverage Spatial
Vienna