Assessment of Building Response Supported on Shallow Foundation Due to Tunnelling in Cohesionless Soil

Abstract The depth of foundations significantly influences the building response due to tunnelling-induced ground movement. The present study investigates the responses caused by tunnelling on buildings supported on isolated footings. The response of buildings supported on shallow foundation systems due to progressive tunnelling is investigated through experimental and numerical methods. A three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEM) has been developed to evaluate the response of an existing reinforced cement concrete (RCC) building underpasses a circular-shaped tunnel in cohesionless soil. The model includes soil strata, footings, super-structure, and tunnel. Different parametric studies, i.e., C/D ratios, tunnel volume losses, and eccentricity of the building, have been considered in the present study. A scale-down model of the tunnel and building is prepared in the laboratory. The scale-down model simulates the volume loss during tunnelling and evaluates the response on surface and building components due to tunnelling. The surface settlement, total and differential settlement of the foundation, and induced strain on lining and building elementals are estimated. The numerical model is benchmarked with the experimental study conducted in the laboratory. It is observed that the numerical method agrees well with the experimental investigation. The responses of buildings supported on shallow footings are compared with available literature. The findings of the present study will be useful for the hazard estimation of existing buildings situated along/adjacent to a proposed alignment of the tunnel.