The effect of formation of spherical underground cavity on ground surface settlement : Numerical analysis using 3D DEM

The underground cavity known as one of the reasons of ground surface settlement is a discontinuous character. Therefore, it is limited to analyze with continuum analysis. In this research, The spherical underground cavity affecting the ground surface settlement is studied with Discrete Element Method. Ground properties, depth and diameter of the spherical underground cavity are chosen as factors of the spherical underground cavity and the effect of the each factor variations on the ground surface settlement is analyzed. Relative depth to the diameter of the spherical underground cavity is also studied. The result of the research suggests the basis of underground cavity collapse prediction and standard of support.Keywords: Discrete element method, Particle flow code, Spherical underground cavity, Ground surface settlement : . . . , , . , .: , , , Copyright ⓒ2016, Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association