Centrifuge modeling of the influence of basement excavation on existing tunnels

Rapid urban development very often requires the construction of buildings close to or directly above existing tunnels. To increase the usable space, underground excavation underneath these buildings is an attractive solution. It is recognised that an excavation often imposes significant stress changes in the ground and may induce deflection on the tunnel lining, which may affect the serviceability and safety of the tunnel. The complex interaction between a new basement excavation and an existing tunnel is not well understood. In this paper, two centrifuge model tests were carried out to study the influence of a basement excavation on an existing tunnel. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, London