Tunnel–framed building interaction. Comparison between raft and separate footing foundations

In this paper, the influence of the foundation configuration (raft or separate footings) on tunnel–soil–framed building interaction is investigated using geotechnical centrifuge testing. Tunnelling-induced soil movements and deformation fields, framed building displacements and structure shear distortions (with associated modification factors) are illustrated. Framed building stiffness and footing bearing capacity are also evaluated experimentally. Results show that the foundation configuration plays an important role in determining the ground response to tunnelling, affecting soil displacement fields, as well as the distribution of soil shear and volumetric strains. In particular, foundation settlements and differential horizontal displacements are larger for separate footings compared to raft foundations. The effects of building width, weight and eccentricity (with respect to the tunnel) on foundation settlements and structural distortions are quantified for separate footings and contrasted against results for raft foundations. The modification factor of the maximum building shear distortion is linked to the relative soil–building shear stiffness; interestingly, for buildings with similar values of relative stiffness, the level of shear distortion within framed buildings is lower for separate footings than rafts.