Simulation analysis of the impact of shallow buried top pipe construction in soft soil

To investigate the influence of shallow-buried pipe jacking construction in soft soil on the displacement, earth pressure, and excess pore water pressure of surrounding soil, this study focuses on the railway undercrossing pipe jacking project at Zhenxi Road in Shanghai’s newly constructed South Connecting Line. Finite element software was utilized to simulate the pipe-jacking process, and the effects of critical parameters such as grouting pressure, pipe diameter, and burial depth on the surrounding soil were systematically analyzed. Field monitoring data validated the simulation results. Key findings reveal that during pipe jacking, soil closer to the pipe experiences greater disturbance, with the affected zone extending approximately twice the pipe diameter. Both excessive and insufficient grouting pressures significantly influence soil displacement, while increases in grouting pressure elevate both earth and pore water pressures in the surrounding soil. Furthermore, variations in pipe diameter and burial depth distinctly affect the magnitude of soil disturbance. This research provides practical insights for optimizing pipe-jacking construction in similar soft soil environments.