Soil responses induced by excavations based on inverse analysis

Evaluation of soil responses induced by excavations, which are now mainly computed by finite element method, is required to estimate the damages of potential buildings caused by excavations. Using proper soil parameters is a key ingredient when computing soil responses, assuming the model represents the actual soil responses in a reasonable way. The soil parameters are usually identified from laboratory experiments performed on tube samples or from in-situ tests, but large uncertainties are associated with these methods for most projects. The inverse analysis is a quantitative technique which allows one to select parameters to fit the responses of soil from field observations. The technique is applied to the results of field performance data collected from an excavation made through Chicago clays. The results of the computed soil responses based on the hardening soil model (HS) and hardening model-small (HSS) model found in the computer code PLAXIS are compared to illustrate the problems likely encountered in practical application of finite element simulations. Based on the well chosen parameters, the soil movements induced by the excavation are computed reasonably.