Shallow NATM/SEM tunnels in residual porous clayey soils require careful control of deformation and ground response. The interplay between excavation sequence, support configuration, and soil–structure interaction becomes critical, especially in dense urban environments where settlement control is a key performance requirement.

In this session, we will review a real project from the São Paulo Metro in Brazil, highlighting how 3D FEM analysis was used to evaluate tunnel behavior, optimize construction staging, and adjust support systems to reduce settlement risks. The focus is on how analysis informs practical construction strategies and on-site decision-making.

✳️ Who Should Attend

• Geotechnical and tunnel engineers working with NATM/SEM methods

• Underground and metro design engineers dealing with shallow urban tunneling

• Construction stage and field engineers responsible for settlement and deformation control

• Numerical modeling specialists focusing on soil–structure interaction in soft or residual soils

✳️ Why Should Join

• Learn how shallow NATM/SEM tunnels behave in residual porous clayey soils
  
  

• Understand how to use 3D FEM to predict settlement and evaluate support performance

• See how design assumptions evolve throughout excavation and field monitoring

• Gain insight into adjusting construction sequences to maintain stability and control deformations

✳️ What You'll Take Away

• A practical workflow for 3D FEM analysis of NATM/SEM tunnels

• Key considerations for soil–structure interaction in residual clayey soils

• Methods for predicting and mitigating ground settlement during staged excavation

• Strategies to refine support systems and excavation steps based on analysis and field feedback 

✳️ Related MIDAS Software

• GTS NX
  

🚩 Check the Q&A highlights below for the speaker’s answers from the live session.