journal article·2025-06-17Open access

Deformation Characteristics and Base Stability of a Circular Deep Foundation Pit with High-Pressure Jet Grouting Reinforcement

Xiaoliang Zhu, Wenqing Zhao, Junchen Zhao, Guoliang Dai, Ruizhe Jin, Zhiwei Chen, Wenbo Zhu

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 12

Abstract

This study investigates the deformation characteristics and base stability of a circular diaphragm wall support system (external diameter: 90 m, wall thickness: 1.5 m) with pit bottom reinforcement for the South Anchorage deep foundation pit of the Zhangjinggao Yangtze River Bridge, which uses layered and partitioned top-down excavation combined with lining construction. Through field monitoring (deep horizontal displacement of the diaphragm wall, vertical displacement at the wall top, and earth pressure) and numerical simulations (PLAXIS Strength Reduction Method), we systematically analyzed the deformation evolution and failure mechanisms during construction. The results indicate the following: (1) Under the synergistic effect of the circular diaphragm wall, lining, and pit bottom reinforcement, the maximum horizontal displacement at the wall top was less than 30 mm and the vertical displacement was 0.04%H, both significantly below code-specified thresholds, verifying the effectiveness of the support system and pit bottom reinforcement. (2) Earth pressure exhibited a “decrease-then-increase” trend during the excavation proceeds. High-pressure jet grouting pile reinforcement at the pit base significantly enhanced basal constraints, leading to earth pressure below the Rankine active limit during intermediate stages and converging toward theoretical values as deformation progressed. (3) Without reinforcement, hydraulic uplift failure manifested as sand layer suspension and soil shear. After reinforcement, failure modes shifted to basal uplift and wall-external soil sliding, demonstrating that high-pressure jet grouting pile reinforcement had positive contribution basal heave stability by improving soil shear strength. (4) Improved stability verification methods for anti-heave and anti-hydraulic-uplift were proposed, incorporating soil shear strength contributions to overcome the underestimation of reinforcement effects in traditional pressure equilibrium and Terzaghi bearing capacity models. This study provides theoretical and practical references for similar deep foundation pit projects and offers systematic solutions for the safety design and deformation characteristics of circular diaphragm walls with pit bottom reinforcement.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Geotechnical Engineering and Analysis · Grouting, Rheology, and Soil Mechanics · Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Road & Bridge International Co., Ltd., Beijing 100010, China

School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China

Advanced Ocean Institute, Southeast University, Nantong 226010, China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Research Fund for Advanced Ocean Institute of Southeast University · Scientific & Technological Research and Development Project of Road & Bridge International Co., Ltd.

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