Building response and ground movements induced by a deep excavation

This paper presents building responses and ground movements induced by an e xcavation using the top-down construction method. The ground surface settle ment and lateral wall displacement for each excavation stage,were observed. The displacement performances of the soil were further studied by examinin g the strain field and displacement vector developing in a soil mass behind the wall. The centre of the vertical-strain concentration area was found t o be consistent with the location of the maximum ground surface settlement. For a given distance from the wall, the maximum vertical soil movement occ urred at a certain depth below the ground surface. The soil behind the wall had a non-zero volume change during excavation. Both consolidation and soi l creep behaviour might contribute towards the volume change of the soil. F actors such as the type of foundation, the size of foundation, the length o f the side of the excavation and the shape of the settlement profile may af fect the building performance during excavation. Information regarding a bu ilding's location relative to the settlement influence zone is helpful in p lanning building protection measures during excavation.