Prediction of building damage due to tunneling
Program
Ground loss key features
- Volume loss and classical methods
- Prediction of building damage
- Prediction of ground movements
- Prediction of main crack locations
- Trough profile at arbitrary depth
- Data for designing reinforcement
- Sequential excavations
Ground Loss
The program is designed to analyze and determine shape of subsidence trough above excavations and to evaluate damage of buildings situated in the affected area.
Basic characteristics of the program
- Subsidence trough analysis using the Volume Loss Method or classical theories (Peck, Limanov, Fazekas)
- Shape of subsidence trough estimated using Gauss or Aversin approximation
- Possibility to model sequential excavation and multiple tunnel tubes
- Determination of subsidence trough shape, settlement, gradient and horizontal strains
- Subsidence trough analysis at ground surface or at given depth
- Consideration of layered geological profile when using classical methods
- Implemented table with recommended values of VL and k when using the Volume Loss Method
- Assessment of building damage
- Determination of tensile strains, gradients and local strains
- Possibility to analyze selected segments of buildings
- Implemented limit values of building damage classification
Building damage due to tunnelling
Considerable experience with a number of shallow tunnels excavated below built-up areas allowed elaboration of the relationship between shape of subsidence trough and damage of buildings in overburden areas. The program predicts ground movements with such precision that it is now possible to use the results to estimate financial compensation for damage induced by tunneling with accuracy acceptable for preparing contractual documents and for contractors bidding for tunnel construction.
The program offers four types of building damage determination:
- Evaluation of tensile failure
- Evaluation of failure due to trough gradient
- Evaluation of a relative deflection of buildings (hogging, sagging)
- Evaluation of selected section of a building
Software package GEO5
Program Ground Loss is included in software package GEO5 developed for analyzing and solving wide range of geotechnical problems. The package consists of individual but closely connected programs with unified user-friendly environment. For further information about geotechnical software GEO5 visit Fine official webpage.
Geo5 Key features
- Easy to use and intuitive
- Comprehensive graphical outputs
- Online contextual help
- Windows Vista Compatible
Ground loss problem
Cracks in a masonry building due to ground movements
About author
The author, Radko Bucek MSc., Ph.D., is a distinguished expert in the field of underground structures. He gained his abundant experience while working with world-known consultant companies such as Golder Associates, SG-Geotechnika and D2-Consult. Recently he works as the Chief Tunnel Engineer in Mott MacDonald Prague.
In cooperation with company Fine, developer of civil engineering software, the original program has been considerably improved and implemented into professional geotechnical software package GEO.
References
The software was used by Austrian company D2-Consult during preparation of underground line „Budapest metro line 4” in Budapest to predict ground settlement and its effects on surrounding buildings.
Since 2005 the program has been continuously used by company KO-KA for designing collectors in Prague.
Recently the software has been used by company Mott MacDonald, Prague. The author of the program works there as the chief engineer in branch of underground structures.
