A comparison of different numerical models for deep excavations in soft ground

A major problem one faces in the analysis of deep excavations employing classical limit equilibrium methods is the determination of surface settlements behind the retaining wall. This is one of the reasons why numerical methods are increasingly employed. In this paper a numerical study for a deep excavation which has been chosen such that it can be regarded as a simplified analysis of a real construction site is presented. The soil parameters have also been taken from this project. The influence of the constitutive law on the deformation behaviour is shown by comparing results obtained for a Mohr-Coulomb, a strain-hardening/softening and a Cam-Clay model. In addition the influence of different in situ lateral stress levels and the influence of applying associated and non-associated flow rules are highlighted.