Surface settlements caused by mechanised tunnelling in hard rock with heterogeneous tunnel face conditions – Empirical and numerical calculations using the example of Boßler Tunnel

Abstract

An empirical and a numerical calculation model were developed to predict the surface settlements due to EPB tunnelling in hard rock with heterogeneous face conditions. For this purpose, surface settlement and TBM driving data from Boßler Tunnel were considered. The TBM launching area characterised by a low overburden (z/D < 2) and a nature conservation area at surface was examined. The developed models were calibrated against the measured surface settlements of the first eastbound tube and were used to predict the surface settlements of the subsequent westbound tube. The prediction was then compared to the actual measured settlements during the excavation of the westbound tube. From this, findings for future settlement predictions in similar ground conditions were derived. It could be shown that both models are suitable for the application in the investigated subsoil conditions and can be used successfully in practice in different phases of the project development.