A Simulation Model for Shield Tunnelling and its Interactions with Partially Saturated Soil

Abstract

The design of shield supported tunnel construction in urban areas requires the reliable determination of the expected time‐variant ground response and the prognosis of possible critical conditions endangering the soil stability. In partially saturated soil the response of the surrounding underground depends strongly on the interactions between the construction process and the surrounding underground and its constituents. The paper gives an overview on a Finite Element model for the simulation of shield supported tunnel advance in partially saturated soil that is capable of accounting for these interactions. Special emphasis is laid on the description of the surrounding underground, modelled as a three phase continuum within the Theory of Porous Media (TPM). Applicability of the simulation model is discussed by results obtained from the simulation of compressed air application for the heading face support. (© 2009 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)