On the design of deep excavations based on finite element analysis / Zur Bemessung tiefer Baugruben mit der Finite-Elemente-Methode

Advances in computer hardware and, more significantly, in geotechnical software over the past ten years have resulted in a widespread application of numerical methods in practical geotechnical engineering. These developments enable the geotechnical engineer to perform very advanced numerical analyses at low cost and with relatively little computational effort. Commercial codes running on PCs have become so user-friendly that little training is required for handling the programme. They offer sophisticated types of analysis such as fully coupled consolidation analysis with elasto-plastic material models. However, a strong background in numerical methods, mechanics and, last but not least, theoretical soil mechanics is essential for performing such complex calculations and obtaining sensible results.
This becomes of particular importance when results obtained from numerical analyses are used as basis for design. Unlike in conventional analysis where ULS design is governed by strength, the choice of the constitutive model and material parameters related to the stiffness of the soil will have a significant influence when utilising numerical methods because the relative stiffness between soil and support structure is taken into account, which is ignored in conventional design procedures. In addition, other model assumptions with respect to soil-structure interaction or drainage conditions (drained vs undrained) may play a significant role. Two aspects are addressed in this paper: firstly the influence of the constitutive model is evaluated for a simple benchmark problem, and secondly assumptions made for an undrained analysis of a deep excavation in soft clay, which eventually failed during construction, are critically assessed.