In situ grouting tests for differential settlement treatment of a cut-and-cover metro tunnel in soft soils

• Published in: Bulletin of engineering geology and the environment 2021-08, Vol.80 (8), p.6415-6427
• Main Authors: Di, Honggui, Zhou, Shunhua, Yao, Xiping, Tian, Zhiyao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Foundations; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Geoengineering; Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences; Hydraulics; Nature Conservation; Original Paper
• ISSN: 1435-9529; 1435-9537
• DOI: 10.1007/s10064-021-02276-5

This paper presents three comparative in situ grouting tests for long-term settlement treatment of a cut-and-cover tunnel of Nanjing Metro Line 10. The characteristics of the tunnel settlement and induced structural damage are described in detail. Comparative grouting tests were conducted to identify the effects of the grouting sequence and grouting material on the tunnel settlement treatment. The test results show that the total amount of uplift of the tunnel associated with the bottom-up grouting sequence is greater than that associated with the top-down grouting sequence. When a mixture of cement and water glass was used as grout, the average cumulative deformation and average deformation rate of the tunnel 6 months after the completion of grouting were −11.2 mm (uplift) and 0.018 mm/day (settlement), respectively. These values satisfy the control requirements and are better than those obtained using a cement and bentonite mixture as grout. Hence, a bottom-up grouting sequence and a cement and water glass grout mixture are advised. The findings presented in this paper provide useful guidance for similar projects.