Numerical analysis of collapse in a deep excavation supported by ground anchors

Mohammad Hassan Baziar (Lead / Corresponding author), Alireza Ghadamgahi, Andrew John Brennan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
395 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

On 3 October 2013, a global failure occurred in one of the stabilised sections of a deep excavation in Shahrak-e gharb in Tehran. The excavation was supported by ground anchors with enlarged reinforced concrete thrust blocks and sprayed concrete facing. The failure occurred despite the system passing conventional limit equilibrium design and satisfying requirements in terms of allowable displacements. The case of Shahrak-e gharb was modelled using Abaqus in order to understand the soil deformation leading to the failure condition. It was found that a near-surface zone of weaker fill material was responsible for the failure. As the displacements during construction and the soil failure mechanisms were well matched by the numerical model, the case study was considered to be a validation case for the numerical model and a parametric study on the extent to which anchoring bypassed the weaker surface soil was performed. This study showed that proper embedment into competent soils is important as excessive strains can still develop if the anchor bond zone is insufficiently confined, potentially leading to progressive collapse.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)263-278
Number of pages16
JournalProceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Geotechnical Engineering
Volume174
Issue number3
Early online date6 Mar 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Anchors & anchorages
  • Excavation
  • Failure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)

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