Abstract: Surface settlement estimating methods are summarized on the basis of Peck method and measurements, and discussed by collecting large amounts of references data. The surface settlement characteristic parameters of more than 20 cities are back analyzed by using Peck method. The variation regularities of maximal surface settlement , settlement trough width ratio k and volume loss are obtained. The results show that: (1) Geographic variations and detailed construction technologies shall be deeply taken into account by using Peck method based on the measurements. The statistical results show that the relative buried depth of tunnel is 0.55-4.09; is -1.5 to -146.0 mm; k is 0.13-1.60; is 0.06%-6.90%, among them and k are negatively correlated to ; and has a significant relationship with the construction technologies and stratigraphic conditions. (2) For effectively controlling the ground movements, shallow tunneling method and assisting construction method are more flexible than the shield tunneling method in the sandy strata; on the contrary, the latter is superior to the former in the clayey soil for reducing the volume loss.

Key words: tunneling, estimation of surface settlement, Peck method, settlement trough width, ground volume loss