Numerical Modeling of Shallow Sediment Deformation Under Complex States of Stress

The accurate numerical simulation of the deformation of shallow geomaterials under complex states of stress is dependent on both the input of realistic sediment parameters as well as the application of appropriate parameters and approximations within the numerical model itself. With this understanding, the aim of the current study is to model the elasto-plastic deformation of sand and clay in response to constant and changing states of stress using the finite element method. The importance and influence of various constitutive equation parameters, boundary conditions, and model geometries are analyzed and applied to a real world example. The particular model presented simulates the long-term deformations associated with the construction of a shallow tunnel in London, UK using a 2D plane strain approximation. The predicted deformations are then compared to the observed surface displacement data of Standing et al. (1996).