Prediction of Behavior of Structures Due to Large Bore EPBM Tunneling at the Port of Miami

Synopsis:

The Port of Miami Tunnel Project (POMT) consists of twin Earth Pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machine (EPBM) tunnels excavated within complex mixed face conditions beneath existing surface structures located on Dodge Island, Miami, Florida. Tunneling occurs beneath an existing Seawall structure, passenger receiving facilities and buildings. The structures range in age up to 40 years old and exhibit various levels of deterioration due to the corrosive environmental conditions local to Miami. A potential damage assessment was performed in a two-stage approach to first identify higher risk structures and then evaluate the highlighted structures with the use of a three-dimensional finite element analysis, which was calibrated using settlement data obtained from the beginning of the EPBM drive.

During tunneling, monitoring data was provided daily and compared to results from the finite element model to observe the overall performance of the structure and to identify any trends which may result in potentially damaging structural displacements. After construction, final observed structural displacements were compared to the numerical modeling predictions to assess the validity of geotechnical parameters and tunneling performance.

Prediction of behavior of structures due to large bore EPBM tunneling at the Port of Miami
2013 WTC Conference Proceedings
May 31-June 7, 2013
Geneva, Switzerland