Ocean and Civil Engineering

Observed Behaviors of an Ultra-Deep Excavation with an Innovative Pre-Support System in Shanghai Soft Deposits

Expand
  • Department of Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Digital Maintenance of Buildings and Infrastructure, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200232, China

Received date: 2023-09-08

  Accepted date: 2023-11-14

  Online published: 2026-07-22

Abstract

Time-dependent deformation of excavation in soft deposits is an important issue concerning the security of underground engineering. To mitigate the construction duration and alleviate the influence of time effects, an innovative sliding pre-support system(SPS) has been proposed, which enables effective support within 4 to 6 hours following excavation. In this study, the SPS was applied in a 43m deep excavation. To have a better understanding of the impact, an exhaustive field monitoring program was conducted. Additionally, the monitoring data of wall deflection and ground settlement was compared with that of another excavation without the new pre-support. It was found that: The implementation of the SPS resulted in a 40% reduction in the construction period; The normalized maximum deflection of pre-supported excavation was less than 0.19%H and the settlement remained under 0.10%H(H is the depth of excavation), which were substantially smaller than cases observed in soft clay; Furthermore, analyses indicated that deflection of diaphragm wall showed a rapid growth when excavating through the micro-aquifer and aquifer.

Cite this article

Cai Huangqi, Li Mingguang, Hou Yongmao, Chen Jinjian . Observed Behaviors of an Ultra-Deep Excavation with an Innovative Pre-Support System in Shanghai Soft Deposits[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Science), 2026 , 31(4) : 1104 -1114 . DOI: 10.1007/s12204-024-2766-4

References

[1] HASHASH Y M A, OSOULI A, MARULANDA C. Central artery/tunnel project excavation induced ground deformations [J]. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2008, 134(9): 1399-1406.
[2] XIAO X, LI M G, CHEN J J, et al. Vertical deformation mechanism of diaphragm wall due to unloading in deep excavation [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2018, 52(12): 1552-1558 (in Chinese).
[3] XIAO X, ZHANG Y Q, LI M G, et al. Responses of the strata and supporting system to dewatering in deep excavations [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science), 2017, 22(6): 705-711.
[4] TAN Y, FAN D D, LU Y. Statistical analyses on a database of deep excavations in Shanghai soft clays in China from 1995–2018 [J]. Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction, 2022, 27(1): 04021067.
[5] ZHANG X Q, LI M G, CHEN J J. Hydro-mechanical analysis of a braced foundation pit affected by rainfall and excavation in unsaturated soils [J]. Acta Geotechnica, 2022, 17(12): 5675-5690.
[6] LIU N W, PAN J J, LI M G, et al. Deformation characteristics of an ultra-deep and small-scale rectangular excavation in Hangzhou soft clay [J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2023, 137: 105117.
[7] HARAHAP S E, OU C Y. Finite element analysis of time-dependent behavior in deep excavations [J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2020, 119: 103300.
[8] NAI K, LI M G, CHEN J J. Effect of wall deformation on dewatering-induced ground surface settlement [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science), 2020, 25(4): 417-425.
[9] TAN Y, WEI B. Observed behaviors of a long and deep excavation constructed by cut-and-cover technique in Shanghai soft clay [J]. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2012, 138(1): 69-88.
[10] KOUTSOFTAS D C, FROBENIUS P, WU C L, et al. Deformations during cut-and-cover construction of MUNI metro turnback project [J]. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2000, 126(4): 344-359.
[11] OU C Y, LIAO J T, LIN H D. Performance of diaphragm wall constructed using top-down method [J]. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 1998, 124(9): 798-808.
[12] FINNO R J, HARAHAP I S. Finite element analyses of HDR-4 excavation [J]. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 1991, 117(10): 1590-1609.
[13] LIU G B, LIU D P, LIU L W, et al. Monitoring and analysis of lateral deformation of retaining wall during bottom excavation in deep pit [J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, 2007, 26(Sup.2): 4386-4394 (in Chinese).
[14] BERTOLDO F, CALLISTO L. Effect of consolidation on the behaviour of excavations in fine-grained soils [J]. Procedia Engineering, 2016, 158: 344-349.
[15] ZHENG Q Y, XIA X H, LI M G, et al. Influence of dewatering in confined aquifers on wall deformation and ground settlements in deep excavation [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2020, 54: 1094-1100 (in Chinese).
[16] LI Y Q, YING H W, XIE K H. On the dissipation of negative excess porewater pressure induced by excavation in soft soil [J]. Journal of Zhejiang University: Science A, 2005, 6(3): 188-193.
[17] TORNBORG J, KARLSSON M, KULLINGSJÖ A, et al. Experience from short-and long-term performance of deep excavations in soft sensitive clays [J]. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2021, 710(1): 012053.
[18] LIN H D, OU C Y, WANG C C. Time-dependent displacement of diaphragm wall induced by soil creep [J]. Journal of the Chinese Institute of Engineers, 2002, 25(2): 223-231.
[19] LI M G, CHEN J J, XU A J, et al. Case study of innovative top-down construction method with channel-type excavation [J]. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 2014, 140(5): 05014003.
[20] ZHANG W Q. Research on application of sliding down rapid pre-support system in ultra-deep excavations [J]. Urban Roads Bridges & Flood Control, 2022(10): 158-161 (in Chinese). 
[21] OU C Y, HSIEH P G, CHIOU D C. Characteristics of ground surface settlement during excavation [J]. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 1993, 30(5): 758-767.
[22] XU Z H. Deformation behavior of deep excavations supported by permanent structure in Shanghai soft deposit [D]. Shanghai: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2007 (in Chinese).
[23] WANG J H, XU Z H, WANG W D. Wall and ground movements due to deep excavations in Shanghai soft soils [J]. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2010, 136(7): 985-994.
[24] LIU G B, JIANG R J, NG C W W, et al. Deformation characteristics of a 38m deep excavation in soft clay [J]. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 2011, 48(12): 1817-1828.
[25] CLOUGH G W, O’ROURKE T D. Construction induced movements of in situ walls [C]// Specialty Conference on Design and Performance of Earth Retaining Structures. Ithaca: ASCE, 1990: 439-470.
[26] MANA A I, CLOUGH G W. Prediction of movements for braced cuts in clay [J]. Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division, 1981, 107(6): 759-777.
[27] WANG Z W, NG C W, LIU G B. Characteristics of wall deflections and ground surface settlements in Shanghai [J]. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 2005, 42(5): 1243-1254.

Outlines

/