Assessing the Economic Risk of Building Damage due to the Tunneling-Induced Settlement Using Monte Carlo Simulations and BIM

Abstract

Due to the increasing use of underground space to align with sustainability needs, geohazard risk assessments have become a valuable tool for decision-making. One common issue in relation to urban geohazard assessments relates to ground movements due to tunneling affecting adjacent buildings. A framework for assessing costs related to subsequent building damage, using integrated data, statistics and considering the uncertainties involved, is presented in this paper. The proposed methodology provides an integration of Monte Carlo simulations to support uncertainty estimations with an analysis for building-damage cost risk due to tunneling-induced settlements. The analysis involves analytical models using green-field conditions and a typically used building damage assessment method. BIM is capable of collating, combining and visualizing information with advanced analysis techniques into a risk-based tool. The resulting tool provides a clear way of assessing building-damage costs risk due to tunneling-induced settlements. This uses a BIM-based environment and incorporates 3D visualizations and an integrated analysis via MATLAB to reveal and highlight hazardous areas and the severity of economic risk along the tunneling route. This informs the need for additional ground investigations or secondary analyses to ensure engineering processes reduce or remove the risk of economic damage and advance sustainable decision-making.

Systematic Literature Review of Open Infrastructure BIM

“…For example, Bughio et al [160] investigated potential reductions in indoor temperatures by exploiting simulations run in building information models. Data and information within BIM cover fields such as risk analysis [161,162], delay analysis [163], fire risk evaluation and management [164], and construction management in a broader sense [165][166][167]. Indeed, integrating other techniques within Open BIM, such as life cycle management and assessment, cost-estimating approaches, and scheduling systems, is a powerful tool within facilities management [168][169][170][171][172].…”

Implementing BIM for conventional tunnels - a proposed methodology and case study

“…However, some preliminary works have demonstrated the advantages of 3D capabilities for tunnelling projects. For example, Providakis et al (2020) presented an integrated 3D BIMgeology interaction methodology to assess tunnelling-induced settlements and their effect on an aboveground urban environment. For this purpose, empirical formulae for settlement assessment were used in conjunction with a 3D model, which includes the ground, tunnel, and aboveground structures.…”

Volume Contraction in Shallow Sediments: Discrete Element Simulation

“…Displacements induced by underground volume contraction negatively affect the overlying infrastructure and nearby underground structures. As examples, piles experience lateral deflection, bending moments, settlement, and abnormal load distribution [14][15][16][17]; lifelines are sheared and disrupted [18][19][20][21]; buildings develop differential settlement and horizontal displacement [22][23][24]; and adjacent tunnels may rotate and undergo asymmetric settlement [25,26].…”