ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on the design of the final lining of a deep excavated cavern of underground stations of a new MRT project, located in a complex urban environment. The geological context is complex due to specific geo-mechanical conditions of the rock, swelling potential that evolves over time and hydrological characteristics of the aquifers. The main design aspects include complex geometric layout, soil characterisation, peculiar construction sequences, rock and water loading, interfaces with the shafts and internal structures and accidental loads. The article also presents the modelling methodology of a PLAXIS 3D model and a STRAND7 3D model, both with Finite Element Method, between which a calibration process is carried out. The advantage of this method is to obtain an advanced and detailed cavern analysis, both from a geo-mechanical and structural point of view.
