Prediction of Tunneling Induced Building Damage Using Empirical Strain-Based Assessment: A Case Study

Abstract

Tunnel construction in urban areas under shallow weak or soft ground conditions leads to ground deformation and surface settlements, which can be detrimental to existing structures on the surface. This paper provides a predictive assessment of the surface settlement due to tunneling and subsequent risk assessment in terms of damage to the building structure using strain-based approach for the case of Kathmandu University Research Tunnel. Surface settlements were assessed using Peck’s Gaussian approach taking into account K values (trough width parameter) of the range between 0.30 to 0.45 and volume loss values of 0.25% to 2.5%. The settlement profile obtained was further utilized to analyze the effect of settlement on the existing building structure using strain-based damage criteria. The findings show that tunnel induced settlement increased with increasing volume loss and decreased with increasing in trough width parameter, but it does not result in high building strains beyond permissible limit. No catastrophic damage to buildings was observed even at 2.5% volume loss.