Abstract: Urban excavations always result in deformations of surrounding buildings. In the analysis, reasonable prediction of deformations is of importance. After studies on the theory of hardening small strain (HSS) constitutive model, a series of experiential parameters are proposed. Adjacent to the operating subway, an excavation is put on by a strict deformation standard. The deformations of diaphragm wall and tunnel are predicted using the HSS model and the Mohr Coulomb model. A great difference is found between the Mohr Coulomb and observed results, while the HSS model reproduces the site deformation well. As a result, incorporating the HSS model into the deformation-control design is feasible.