EFFECTS OF STRENGTH ANISOTROPY AND HETEROGENEITY OF NATURAL CLAY ON THE LATERAL DISPLACEMENT OF DIAPHRAGM WALLS IN DEEP EXCAVATIONS

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of anisotropic and heterogeneous strength characteristics of natural clay on the lateral displacement of deep excavation walls using the finite element method. The numerical model was validated against field monitoring data obtained from a real project in Ho Chi Minh City. The investigated parameters include the anisotropy ratio (suP/suA), the heterogeneity parameter (suA,inc), and the excavation depth (H). The results indicate that H and suA,inc are the two most influential factors governing wall displacement, while the effect of suP/suA becomes more pronounced in shallow excavation cases. Overall, the study clarifies the relative roles of these key parameters in the lateral displacement response of deep excavation walls in anisotropic and heterogeneous clay.