Title: Analysis of tunnel-pile interaction and predictive modelling of pile foundation response to tunnel excavation at various horizontal positions using PLAXIS

Authors: Musabur Rehman; Syed Mohd Abbas; Altaf Usmani

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi, 110025, India ' Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi, 110025, India ' Engineers India Limited, R&D Complex, National Highway 8, Chander Nagar, Sector 16, Gurugram, Haryana, India

Abstract: Exponential urbanisation and industrialisation have spurred innovation in construction techniques, necessitating careful consideration of their impact on existing structures and foundations. Urban infrastructure projects increasingly involve underground tunnel construction, which can significantly affect nearby structures like pile foundations and surrounding substructures. This study aims to comprehensively understand the interactions among tunnels, piles, and adjacent soil (TPS) using numerical techniques with the finite element software PLAXIS3D. Specifically, the research evaluates the effects of tunnel excavation on 2·2 pile groups, focusing on variations in tunnel positioning relative to the piles. Through systematic parametric analysis, significant reductions in lateral deflection (36-80%) and bending moment (11-64%) are observed when varying the tunnel's horizontal position from -1.5D to -3D compared to -1D. These findings provide valuable insights for preliminary pile analysis and optimal tunnel positioning, aiding in predicting pile behaviour and mitigating tunnelling-induced effects near pile zones before tunnel construction commences.

Keywords: urbanisation; TPSI; tunnel-pile-soil interaction; finite element analysis; infrastructure development; construction techniques.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCMSSE.2024.139018

International Journal of Computational Materials Science and Surface Engineering, 2024 Vol.12 No.1, pp.62 - 80

Received: 05 Dec 2023
Accepted: 13 Mar 2024
Published online: 07 Jun 2024 *

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