3-D Geotechnical Model for the North/Southline in Amsterdam

Abstract

Under the historic inner city of Amsterdam 3,8 km of the new metro-line is planned to be constructed by means of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) tunnelling. The specific environmental conditions in Amsterdam require an outstanding TBM design and process control. During the design process 3D numerical modelling has been and will be used to determine the effects of tunnelling.

Specific research topics for which 3D Finite Element Method (FEM) calculations have been carried out are:

• determination of soil settlements due to tunnelling;

• optimizing the design of a new TBM concept;

• design of the tunnel lining;

• the development of an interactive boring control system; and

• determination of deformation behaviour of adjacent buildings.

For the first four purposes a 3D geotechnical model was made. In this model a number of new numerical ideas have been implemented. The TBM has been modelled in detail. The borefront support and the tail void grouting are modelled as active pressure controlled liquids, that cause (readable) reaction forces on the shield and the jacks in the model. The first results of the model will be presented in this paper.