Study on the effect of excavation sequence of three-hole shield tunnel on surface settlement and segment deformation

In order to study the influence of excavation sequence of three-hole parallel shield tunnel on surface settlement and segment convergence, an improved “three-stage analysis method” was proposed to calculate the surface settlement of three-hole parallel shield tunnel. Based on Peck's existing theory, this method deduced the ground settlement formula under the three-hole parallel condition, and can calculate the ground settlement more accurately. Based on the engineering background of a shield tunnel section in Jiangsu Province, a three-dimensional model of a three-hole parallel shield tunnel was established by using Flac3d software, and the three-hole parallel shield tunnel was simulated under four working conditions: right–center–left, right–left–center, right–left–right and right–center (reverse)–left. This paper analyzed the influence of tunnel excavation sequence on surface settlement, soil displacement and deformation of tunnel segments. The construction sequence was optimized based on the above influencing factors. It was found that Case 4, S-type sequential excavation, produced the least ground settlement. The surface settlement value caused by S-type excavation sequence was only 11.41 mm, and the convergence value of the segments generated by S-type excavation sequence was relatively small. Considering the economic factors such as construction efficiency and benefit, the S-shaped excavation sequence was better. The new calculation method of tunnel surface settlement and the optimal sequence of tunnel construction proposed in this paper can provide reference for actual construction.