A Numerical Study of the Impact of Tunnel Depth on Surface Displacement in Shield Tunnel Construction

Using 3d finite element method can simulate the process of shield tunnel construction. The paper studies the impact of different tunnel depth on the deformation of soil, when considering different excavation steps in the process of tunnel construction. The results show that the shallower the tunnel depth, and the greater the amount of the surface displacement during the tunnel construction. In the process of the tunnel excavation, the soil surface displacement in front of the shield machine is the result of superposition of the uplift and subsidence. When the tunnel depth increases, the surface displacement curve becomes smoother, and the rate of change becomes slower.