Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental study on the adjustments of servo steel struts in deep excavations

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Acta Geotechnica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Recently, servo steel struts have been increasingly used in deep foundation pits that require strict control over the deformation of the surroundings induced by excavation. However, the effects of strut length and axial force adjustments of servo struts on wall deflection and lateral earth pressure behind the wall are still unclear. In this study, a model excavation support system was constructed, and several model tests were conducted to investigate the effects of strut adjustments in which the axial forces and lengths of the struts were adjusted to various values. The strut axial forces, lateral earth pressure, and wall deflection were monitored and analyzed. The results show that: (i) the effects of the strut length and axial force on the lateral wall deflection vary with the depth of the adjusted struts. Adjustments of the struts at lower levels can reduce lateral wall deflections and effectively control the deformations. (ii) Increments in both the axial force and length of the struts result in lateral earth pressure changes between the at-rest and passive earth pressures in the vicinity of the adjusted struts. Neutral points can be observed during strut adjustments where the lateral earth pressures remain relatively constant. The locations and number of these neutral points varied depending on the depth of the adjusted struts. (iii) Simultaneous adjustments of the axial forces on multiple layers of struts are more effective in controlling lateral wall deflection than single-layered strut adjustments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

References

  1. Arai Y, Kusakabe O, Murata O, Konishi S (2008) A numerical study on ground displacement and stress during and after the installation of deep circular diaphragm walls and soil excavation. Comput Geotech 35(5):791–807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2007.11.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Avcar M, Mohammed WKM (2018) Free vibration of functionally graded beams resting on Winkler–Pasternak foundation. Arab J Geosci 11(10):232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3579-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Bhatkar T, Barman D, Mandal A, Usmani A (2017) Prediction of behaviour of a deep excavation in soft soil: a case study. Int J Geotech Eng 11(1):10–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/19386362.2016.1177309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Chen B, Yan T, Song D, Luo R, Zhang G (2021) Experimental investigations on a deep excavation support system with adjustable strut length. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech 115:104046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.104046

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Chowdhury SS (2019) A study on lateral earth pressure against strutted retaining wall in cohesionless soil deposit. Int J Geotech Eng 13(1–2):122–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/19386362.2017.1326683

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Cui Z, Li Q, Wang J (2019) Mechanical performance of composite retaining and protection structure for super large and deep foundation excavations. J Civ Eng Manag 25(5):431–440. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2019.9873

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Di H, Guo H, Zhou S, Chen J, Wen L (2019) Investigation of the axial force compensation and deformation control effect of servo steel struts in a deep foundation pit excavation in soft clay. Adv Civ Eng 19(6):1–16. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5476354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Ding Z, Jin J, Han TC (2018) Analysis of the zoning excavation monitoring data of a narrow and deep foundation pit in a soft soil area. J Geophys Eng 15(4):1231–1241. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-2140/aaadd2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Goh ATC, Zhang F, Zhang WG, Zhang YM, Liu HL (2017) A simple estimation model for 3D braced excavation wall deflection. Comput Geotech 83:106–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.10.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Goh ATC, Zhang F, Zhang W, Chew OYS (2017) Assessment of strut forces for braced excavation in clays from numerical analysis and field measurements. Comput Geotech 86:141–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2017.01.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Hashash YMA, Whittle AJ (2002) Mechanisms of load transfer and arching for braced excavations in clay. J Geotech Geoenviron 128(3):187–197. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2002)128:3(187)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Hashash YMA, Marulanda C, Kershaw KA, Cording EJ, Druss DL, Bobrow DJ, Das PK (2003) Temperature correction and strut loads in central artery excavations. J Geotech Geoenviron 129(6):495–505. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2003)129:6(495)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Hsieh PG, Ou CY (2018) Mechanism of buttress walls in restraining the wall deflection caused by deep excavation. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech 82:542–553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2018.09.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Hu Q (2013) Retaining structure force-deformation analysis model for an ultradeep foundation pit. Math Probl Eng. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/549491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Huang B, Li MG, Hou YM, Chen JJ (2018) Effect of auto-compensating steel struts on stress and deformation behaviors of supporting structures. Rock Soil Mech 39(S2):359–365 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Jamsawang P, Jamnam S, Jongpradist P, Tanseng P, Horpibulsuk S (2017) Numerical analysis of lateral movements and strut forces in deep cement mixing walls with top-down construction in soft clay. Comput Geotech 88:174–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2017.03.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Li MG, Demeijer O, Chen JJ (2020) Effectiveness of servo struts in controlling excavation-induced wall deflection and ground settlement. Acta Geotech 15(9):2575–2590. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-020-00941-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Lim A, Ou CY, Hsieh PG (2018) Investigation of the integrated retaining system to limit deformations induced by deep excavation. Acta Geotech 13(4):973–995. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-017-0613-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Liu H, Li K, Wang J (2021) Cheng C (2021) Numerical simulation of deep foundation pit construction under complex site conditions. Adv Civ Eng 2:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6669466

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Mei Y, Li YL, Wang XY, Wang J, Hu CM (2019) Statistical analysis of deformation laws of deep foundation pits in collapsible loess. Arab J Sci Eng 44(10):8347–8360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-019-03931-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Mei Y, Zhou D, Wang X, Zhao L, Shen J, Zhang S, Liu Y (2021) Deformation law of the diaphragm wall during deep foundation pit construction on lake and sea soft soil in the Yangtze River Delta. Adv Civ Eng. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6682921

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Moorak S, Solomon A (2015) Effect of support characteristics on the earth pressure in a jointed rock mass. Can Geotech J 52(12):1956–1967. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2014-0437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Niu J, Li Z, Feng C, Wang B, Chen K (2020) Combined support system and calculation model for deep foundation pits in fill soil areas. Arab J Geosci 13(10):347. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05403-w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Orazalin ZY, Whittle AJ, Olsen MB (2015) Three-Dimensional analyses of excavation support system for the stata center basement on the MIT campus. J Geotech Geoenviron. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Richeton J, Ahzi S, Vecchio KS, Jiang FC, Adharapurapu RR (2006) Influence of temperature and strain rate on the mechanical behavior of three amorphous polymers: characterization and modeling of the compressive yield stress. Int J Solids Struct 43(7–8):2318–2335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2005.06.040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Tan Y, Wei B, Lu Y, Yang B (2019) Is basal reinforcement essential for long and narrow subway excavation bottoming out in Shanghai soft clay? J Geotech Geoenviron. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Ye S, Zhao Z, Wang D (2021) Deformation analysis and safety assessment of existing metro tunnels affected by excavation of a foundation pit. Undergr Space 6(4):421–431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.undsp.2020.06.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Yoo C, Lee D (2008) Deep excavation-induced ground surface movement characteristics—a numerical investigation. Comput Geotech 35(2):231–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2007.05.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Zeng CF, Liao H, Xue XL, Long SC, Luo GJ, Diao Y, Li MG (2022) Responses of groundwater and soil to dewatering considering the barrier effect of adjacent metro station on multi-aquifers. J Hydrol 612:128117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2022.128117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Zeng CF, Powrie W, Xue XL, Li MK, Mei GX (2021) Effectiveness of a buttress wall in reducing retaining wall movement during dewatering before bulk excavation. Acta Geotech 16(10):3253–3267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-021-01179-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Zeng CF, Song WW, Xue XL, Li MK, Bai N, Mei GX (2021) Construction dewatering in a metro station incorporating buttress retaining wall to limit ground settlement: Insights from experimental modelling. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech 116:104124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.104124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Zeng CF, Wang S, Xue XL, Zheng G, Mei GX (2022) Characteristics of ground settlement due to combined actions of groundwater drawdown and enclosure wall movement. Acta Geotech 17(9):4095–4112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-022-01496-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Zeng CF, Xue XL, Zheng G, Xue TY, Mei GX (2018) Responses of retaining wall and surrounding ground to pre-excavation dewatering in an alternated multi-aquifer-aquitard system. J Hydrol 559:609–626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.02.069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Zeng CF, Xue XL, Li MK (2021) Use of cross wall to restrict enclosure movement during dewatering inside a metro pit before soil excavation. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech 112:103909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.103909

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Zhang J, Xie R, Zhang H (2018) Mechanical response analysis of the buried pipeline due to adjacent foundation pit excavation. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech 78:135–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2018.04.026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Zhang R, Goh A, Li Y, Hong L, Zhang W (2021) Assessment of apparent earth pressure for braced excavations in anisotropic clay. Acta Geotech 16(5):1615–1626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-020-01129-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Zhao XM (2018) Centrifugal model tests on bearing properties of support in excavation with deep tunnel engineering. Dissertation, Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute, China (in Chinese)

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China through Grant No. 52278456.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Road and Traffic Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804, China

    Honggui Di, Yuyin Jin, Shunhua Zhou & Xiaohui Zhang

  2. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rail Infrastructure Durability and System Safety, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804, China

    Honggui Di, Yuyin Jin, Shunhua Zhou & Xiaohui Zhang

  3. Shanghai Rail Transit Technical Research Center, Shanghai Shentong Metro Group Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 201103, China

    Di Wu & Huiji Guo

Authors
  1. Honggui Di
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuyin Jin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shunhua Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiaohui Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Di Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Huiji Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuyin Jin.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Di, H., Jin, Y., Zhou, S. et al. Experimental study on the adjustments of servo steel struts in deep excavations. Acta Geotech. 18, 6615–6629 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-023-01959-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-023-01959-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation