Emergency Strategies for Gushing Water of Borehole and Numerical Simulation on Circular Diaphragm Wall Excavation with Ring-Beams

Abstract

This study explores the underground structure and soil retention capabilities of a large-scale circular diaphragm wall (93.5 m in diameter) utilized as a soil retention strategy in deep excavation projects. The symmetrical design of the wall facilitates the use of an unsupported construction method, effectively resisting soil and water pressures. Using PLAXIS 3D 2017 software, this study simulates wall deformation and ground settlement, employing three different soil models to assess behavior under standard and emergency water gushing scenarios. The results show that the hardening soil (HS) model most accurately reflects the actual deformations and settlements. This study also finds that adjusting Young’s modulus for clay significantly impacts the accuracy of soil behavior predictions, while changes in the properties of sand have minimal effects. This research highlights the challenges posed by water gushing and suggests the need for model improvements to capture better the dynamic interactions between soil and water pressure, which could lead to wall tilting. Overall, this study offers innovative and practical value, providing crucial insights for designing and mitigating strategies in large-scale circular deep excavation projects, especially in regions such as Taiwan, where such constructions are rare and face unique challenges.