A fractal model for the tunneling-induced ground surface settlement

Abstract

The Gaussian function was initially adopted to model the tunneling-induced ground surface settlement, but it could not describe the porosity’s effect on the settlement. To solve the problem, Yu’s fractal theory is implemented to model the porous grand’s geometric property, and the surface settlement profile is modeled by a fractal solitary wave, furthermore, the effects of the maximal surface settlement, the porosity and Yu’s fractal dimension on the settlement’s profile are discussed. The new model offers a new view to predict the morphology of the surface settlement.