SDMT-based numerical analyses of deep excavation in soft soil

Abstract

The paper explores the application of conventional (DMT) and seismic (SDMT) dilatometer tests to an important case of deep excavation design. The work presents finite-element analyses simulating a deep excavation close to Barcelona (Spain). A thick layer of soft interbedded sandy and silty soils made characterization based on laboratory testing very difficult. SDMT offered an alternative for estimating the soil stiffness and its stress-strain dependency. Numerical results and high-quality monitoring data show quite close agreement for most phases of the construction process, supporting the use of seismic dilatometer tests in numerical analyses of deep excavations. The paper also indicates the importance of incorporating stiffness data at low strains. FE analyses involved some uncertainties derived from the presence of jet-grouting soil treatments. On this point, a parametric study illustrates the effects of different modeling approaches.