Random finite element analysis on ground subsidence caused by tunnel excavation in karst regions with spatial variable soil

Abstract

The construction of tunnels inevitably leads to ground subsidence, while surface collapses caused by caverns during excavation can result in significant financial losses. However, previous research on tunnel excavation behavior in karst areas has predominantly assumed uniform soil strength, neglecting the geological uncertainty arising from soil spatial variability and rarely discussing the combined effects of soil variability and geological construction conditions. Therefore, this study conducted a series of random finite element analyses to investigate ground subsidence during tunnel excavation in karst cave areas, considering the combined effects of different karst cave distances and sizes as well as soil spatial variability. It was found that shorter distances between the cavern and the tunnel resulted in greater shifts in subsided trench toward the sides of the cavern. Furthermore, larger cavern diameters amplified the effect of geological variability on soils, leading to increased dispersion of maximum ground subsidence. Ground subsistence also showed sensitivity to changes in soil modulus with the coefficient of variation (COV). Neglecting cave influences could potentially underestimate failure probabilities. Additionally, three patterns for surface subsidence were presented based on different geological conditions. Finally, this study proposed a modified Peck formula to predict ground subsidence during tunnel excavation considering the combined effects of karst cave and soil spatial variability, which may enhance current design methods for tunnel engineering.

Keywords

ground subsidence / karst cave / probabilistic analysis / soil spatial variability / tunnel excavation

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2025 The Author(s). Deep Underground Science and Engineering published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of China University of Mining and Technology.