Integrating tools to predict, monitor and control deformation due to excavations

This paper summarizes developments to predict, monitor and control deformations due to excavations. The developments are integrated to provide engineers and contractors with a system that allows real time performance data acquisition, evaluation and prediction of responses associated with supported excavations in urban areas. The paper summarizes developments in laser scanning and webcams to accurately track excavation progress and other construction activities, automated and remote instrumentation to measure ground and structural responses, intelligent numerical models to learn from field observations and subsequently predict anticipated ground responses and integration of these heterogeneous data using a GIS based system. These new developments and technologies are illustrated by examples culled from recent excavations through soft clays in the Chicago area. Copyright ASCE 2006.