Development of new integrated tools for predicting, monitoring, and controlling ground movements due to excavations

This paper describes developments of integrated tools for predicting, monitoring, and controlling ground movements associated with excavations in urban areas. The paper describes developments in the following areas: (1) laser scanning and webcams for developing an accurate record of construction activities; (2) automated and remote instrumentations to measure movements; (3) intelligent, self-updating numerical models to compute anticipated ground movements, and to learn from field observations; and (4) integration of heterogeneous data using a geographic-information-system. These new technologies and improvements are illustrated using excavations in the Chicago area.