Deformation Characteristics of Soil Layers and Diaphragm Walls during Deep Foundation Pit Excavation: Simulation Verification and Parameter Analysis

Abstract

The research on the deformation of soil mass and ground connection walls is not sufficiently thorough due to the huge risk of deep excavation in soft soil areas. In this paper, finite element software is used to numerically simulate a symmetrical foundation pit in Suzhou, and the reliability is verified by on-site measured data. The purpose of this study is to investigate the deformation mechanism of the enclosure structure and surrounding soil during the excavation of soft soil foundation pits, and to carry out sensitivity analysis. The results show that the maximum subsidence of the surface is 21.25 mm, the maximum horizontal displacement of the underground diaphragm wall is 9.45 mm, and the maximum uplift of the pit bottom is 21.46 mm. By changing the soil layer properties (the elastic modulus, cohesion, and internal friction angle) and the insertion ratio of the diaphragm wall, the maximum horizontal displacement of the diaphragm wall is more easily affected than the maximum settlement of the surface. Based on different research results, the maximum land subsidence and maximum horizontal displacement of the support structure are 0.313–0.060% and 0.070–0.250% of the maximum excavation depth, respectively. Finally, the simulation may have some applicability to other foundation pit excavations.