ABSTRACT
The article explores the effectiveness of a geotechnical curtain of loose pile rows as a means of reducing the settlement of built-up areas adjacent to deep excavations shored with ferroconcrete, cast-in-place trench wall in cluttered urban environment. The excavation of pit and trench for the wall is found to cause settlements in the adjacent buildings as high as 50% of the total settlement due to excavation work. For the purpose of analysis of the effectiveness of geotechnical curtain of loose pile rows as a means to reduce the settlement of adjacent development, we introduced the coefficient of effectiveness (Ke), which is the difference between the settlements occurring with the curtain installed and without it. Dependency is modelled between the coefficient of effectiveness (Ke) and the depth of curtain. Depending on its parameters, the curtain is found to generate a 50% to 60% reduction in the settlement of the adjacent development caused by digging of the trench. Dimensions are determined at which the geotechnical curtain of loose pile rows achieves its maximum performance. The article gives a practical case of using the pile curtain as a means to prevent above-limit settlements of the adjacent buildings due to excavation work. Modelling was performed with MIDAS GTS NX software. In general, the numerical modelling has shown that the geotechnical curtain of loose pile rows is an effective means of reducing the settlements of the adjacent buildings due to installation of a cast-in-place, trench wall.
