ABSTRACT
Surface subsidence can be minimized due to tunnelling with tunnel boring machines (TBMs). However, ground settlement cannot be avoided during shield TBM tunnelling. In this study, surface settlement induced by shield TBM excavation is simulated by using finite differences code Flac-3D. The proposed three dimensional simulation procedure is taking into account in an explicit and complete manner the main sources of movements in the soil mass. It is illustrated in two different cases of Lyon’s subway for which well experimental data are available. The comparison of the numerical simulation results with the in-situ measurements shows that the 3D procedure of simulation proposed is relevant, in particular in the adopted representation for the different operations achieved by the tunnel boring machine.
