City Research Online

Abstract

The construction of deep basements in urban areas is associated with many risks and problems among which is the possible damage to existing structures and services resulting from settlements near the excavation. A number of methods are routinely employed to attempt to control these movements (e.g. top-down construction, use of stiff diaphragm walls). This paper discusses the methodology and practicalities of a series of centrifuge model tests designed to investigate the effect of deep basement construction. Two sets of experimental apparatus are described in detail and their effectiveness in terms of robustness and generation of repeatable data are assessed. It is shown that using relatively simple techniques and equipment it is possible to model many of the features associated with top-down construction.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright Thomas Telford (ICE Publishing) 2009
Publisher Keywords:	excavation; construction process; centrifuge; apparatus development
Subjects:	T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
Departments:	School of Science & Technology > Engineering
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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