Análise paramétrica de uma cortina ancorada hipotética por meio dos métodos de elementos finitos e de equilíbrio limite

Abstract

The growing demand for optimization of urban space, combined with the need to use areas with steep topographical differences, has intensified the search for engineering solutions that allow increasingly deeper excavations. This reality imposes significant challenges on geotechnical engineers, who need to balance considerable horizontal efforts with maintaining minimum displacements of both the soil and surrounding structures. Among the various technical alternatives available, chain-link curtains often emerge as the most effective solution to face this problem. This dissertation's central objective is to investigate the behavior of cable-stayed curtains in soils, through a rigorous analysis that incorporates a comprehensive review of the main methods used to evaluate the stability of these structures. The investigation was conducted using the finite element method, implemented in the Plaxis software version 8.2, which allowed a detailed comparison of the safety factor values obtained through the limit equilibrium method. This comparative study is essential to evaluate the accuracy and limitations of each approach in modeling the behavior of cable-stayed curtains. Additionally, parametric studies were conducted to explore the influence of different design parameters, such as the angle of inclination of the ties, the settlements of the embedment with variations in the modulus of elasticity of the underlying soil, the cohesion and the angle of friction of the soil, the overloads applied, the dilatancy angle, and the water table level. These parameters are crucial in determining the performance of cable-stayed curtains, especially in terms of the maximum tensile stresses in the ties, which are key indicators of the stability and safety of the structure. The present study also addresses a comparison between the results obtained by the finite element method and the limit equilibrium method, using the Slide software as an analysis tool. The comparison of these numerical simulations is essential to discuss the robustness of the results obtained and identify the possible limitations inherent to the limit equilibrium method, particularly in complex scenarios where soil parameters and boundary conditions play a determining role in the structural response.