Case study of tunneling-induced settlement and damage of masonry buildings

The excessive deformation caused by shield tunneling can easily lead to deformation and cracking of the above sensitive structures. A masonry building orthogonally under-passed by metro shield tunnels is studied. Through systematic settlement monitoring and comprehensive inspection of the building, the tunneling-induced settlements and crack development of the building are obtained. A finite element model is established to study the interaction of the building and the soils. By comparing the principal tensile strain and the measured crack distribution of the wall, it is found that when the principal tensile strain exceeds 0.05%, cracks will occur in the wall area and the development angle of the wall crack is perpendicular to the direction of the principal tensile strain there. Finally, the damage degree and level of the building are discussed according to the maximum principal tensile strain of the wall. The case study of masonry building damage caused by shield tunneling is of certain guiding and reference values for protection of masonry buildings during subway construction.