Soil-Model Parameters Identification via Back Analysis for Numerical Simulation of Shield Tunneling

This paper presents a three-dimensional numerical model for analyzing via finite element method (FEM) the mechanized tunneling in urban areas. The numerical model is meant to represent the typical characteristics of the tunneling process by means of slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM). The Hardening soil (HS) model as it is implemented in the finite element code PLAXIS 3D, is employed for assessing the predictions made regarding the tunnelling construction process. Further, a parameter optimisation technique (direct back analysis) is applied to examine the possibility to fit simulated results and observed (measured) data, expressed in the form of displacements. A sensitivity analysis (SA) has been carried out for ranging the chosen for the back analysis soil constitutive parameters. It is shown based on the applied back analysis procedure that in case the numerical model is too large it is worth to explore equivalent reduced numerical model for soil–model parameter identification.

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