With intensive underground infrastructures accompanying the rapid development and urbanization worldwide, the shield tunneling method has been widely adopted for fast and safe construction where traditional methods cannot be implemented. However, the occurrence of ground movements during tunnel construction is inevitable. The collapse of the tunnel and the loss of lives occur due to significant ground displacement. Therefore, the evaluation of ground movement emerges as a critical determinant in the analysis of tunnel construction.

    In this study, a finite element model simulating a shield tunnel in Macau is established by the software PLAXIS 2D to investigate the ground settlement induced by tunnel construction. After a series of analyses, the numerical result obtained from the software is compared with the field measurement data. Though a slight difference exists between the results due to the limitations of simulating the intricate conditions of the actual site, the numerical data is considered to be matched and acceptable. Besides, the final cumulative settlement curves plotted by the software and the field data are compared. The analysis reveals that the settlement trough observed in the field exhibits a distribution resembling a normal curve, however, it demonstrates asymmetrical characteristics. The maximum settlement trough might not always lie on the center tunnel axis.