Ability and limits of numerical methods for the design of deep construction pits

The evaluation and prediction of deformations is becoming a main accent for the work of geotechnical engineers. Numerical methods are a powerful instr ument to solve this task. Hence, in order to get reliable results, some req uirements on the use of finite elements has to be considered. The calculati on is limited by the quality of the models and procedures used in practice. The limits are discussed in this paper. It also deals with the results of back-analysis of deformations of construction pits. The numerical results a re compared with conventional calculations. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.