Study on the Restraint Effect of Isolation Pile on Surface Settlement Trough Induced by Shield Tunnelling

Isolation piles are widely used to control the influence of shield tunnelling on adjacent buildings as an effective protective measure. However, the restraint effect of isolation pile on surface settlement trough is rarely explored from the internal mechanism. Firstly, the restraint mechanism of isolation piles is investigated from the pile-soil-tunnel interaction mechanism. Secondly, based on the Melan solution and the Loganathan formula, the analytical solution of surface settlement trough under the influence of adjacent isolation piles is derived. Thirdly, in order to satisfy the engineering analysis scale and reflect the friction characteristics between isolation pile and soil particles simultaneously, the FDM-DEM coupling technique is introduced to establish a numerical model including discrete medium and continuum medium. Finally, the applicability and reliability of the analytical solution and the FDM-DEM coupling numerical solution are verified by comparing field measured data. The results indicate that the surface settlement trough under the influence of isolation piles will have an asymmetric distribution. Surface settlement tends to develop more to the opposite side of the tunnel when isolation piles are pre-installed on one side. The findings of the study have substantial theoretical significance and engineering reference value.