FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATION OF TUNNELING OVER SUBWAYS

Finite element analysis of a sewer tunnel crossing over existing subway tunnels in New York was performed. The clearance between the sewer tunnel and the subway tunnels was very small and the purpose of the finite element analysis was to evaluate the influence of the sewer tunnel construction on the subway tunnel liner forces. The construction of the subway tunnels and the process of construction of the sewer tunnel were simulated in the analysis. The paper describes the field condition and the analysis, and presents comparisons between the analysis results and the field measurements.