Numerical investigation of the effects of geotechnical parameters on surface settlement curves due to EPB-TBM urban tunneling in alluvial areasMohammad Ali Iranmanesh1*, Ali Arianfar2, Sadegh Amoon3

In this study, the effects of geotechnical parameters such as oberburden, elasticity modulus, cohesion, friction angle as well as ground water level on surface settlement and the corresponding risk on surface buildings are investigated through numerical analysis. The advanced constitutive law of Plastic Hardening is utilized to accurately reflect the Soil behavior in unloading. Using the surface settlement curves obtained from numerical analysis, the risk category of surface buildings are calculated and the effectiveness of each parameter on the risk level is investigated. The results show that the cohesion, friction angle and ground water level do not have a remarkable effect on surface settlement and the corresponding risk. However, the amount of overburden and the soil elastic modulus considerably affect the surface settlement and the risk level subjected to the surface buildings. Recognizing the role of each parameter, enables us to predict the potential risk on surface buildings and to optimize the approaches for mitigating these risks.