On the deformation behaviour of strip footings during the construction process of an adjacent diaphragm wall in soft clayey ground

The installation process of diaphragm walls in soft clayey soil deposits can produce considerable deformations on the adjacent ground, affecting the serviceability of nearby structures. This article highlights the influence of the stepwise D‐wall construction process on the development of settlements of neighbouring strip footings. For the simulation of the construction process, a three‐dimensional finite element model of a plain diaphragm wall section and an adjacent footing is assumed. The stress‐strain behaviour of the ground is described by an advanced constitutive model, which especially takes into account the rheological properties of the soft clay, like creep, relaxation and a rate‐dependent stiffness. Numerous calculations are performed, considering the impact of the panel geometry and the installation sequence of the diaphragm wall. Furthermore, the loading as well as the bending stiffness of the strip footing is varied. With respect to the serviceability of the footing, recommendations for the D‐wall construction are finally given, aiming at a prevention oriented construction technique.