Comparative Analysis of Hardening Soil Models and Field Measurements for Deep Excavation: A Numerical Study

The increasing urbanization of cities requires the implementation of various subterranean infrastructures, such as tunnels, metro stations, and deep excava-tions. The construction of retaining structures to support these works can potentially cause structural disturbances to adjacent buildings and structures. Therefore, predicting and controlling ground displacements is crucial. However, estimating these displacements accurately remains a challenging task. This study focuses on a 2D finite element analysis to assess the impact of deep excavations on adjacent structures using two elastoplastic behavior models, the Hardening Soil (HS) model and the Hardening Soil Small (HSS) model. The comparison of the two models and measured values shows that the HSS models provide more accurate predictions of ground surface movements induced by deep excavations. The advanced constitutive model that accounts for small strain characteristics (HSS) outperforms the basic soil constitutive model (HS) in predicting the settlement and displacement of the excavation screen. The use of HSS model can lead to better design and construction practices in deep excavation projects, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding structures and improving the security of the site.