Tunneling-Induced settlements in urban areas

Tunneling projects in urban areas are developing rapidly as a result of the growing cities and the demands for modern transportation systems. Due to the lack of space at the surface, underground infrastructures offer a viable solution, but these underground constructions often cause some complex geotechnical challenges. One of the most critical issues is the ground surface settlement induced by tunneling, which puts buildings and utilities located near the project at risk, especially in densely populated areas. In this thesis, a comprehensive study on tunneling-induced settlement mechanisms in urban areas is provided by examining short-term and long-term ground deformations in both cohesive and cohesionless soils. Both empirical and analytical approaches were explored and compared, including the influential works of Peck, Loganathan & Poulos, and Sagaseta, in order to estimate and control settlements. Additionally, some risk assessment methodologies like Building Condition Surveys (BCS) and Building Risk Assessment (BRA) are introduced and explained in detail. These evaluations aid engineers in assessing the vulnerability of buildings and infrastructure before tunneling excavation, monitoring changes during construction, and guiding mitigation measures in real time. This study contains some real-world examples, including the Elizabeth Line in London and the Median Collector Project in Turin, in order to combine theory with detailed case studies. They are used to show the methodology, settlement analysis, vulnerability indexing, and damage classification. Finally, these cases play a crucial role in highlighting the critical need for pre-construction surveys, continuous monitoring, and adaptive construction strategies to reduce settlement risks and increase urban safety.