IAS-DX Integrated Assessment System for Deep Excavations - extended research edition

This research preprint presents IAS-DX (Integrated Assessment System for Deep Excavations), an integrated framework for the object-specific, stage-dependent assessment of construction-induced effects on existing structures. It connects documentation, ground-deformation analysis, structural-response evidence and monitoring requirements within a traceable engineering decision-support process. The focus is on the relationship between the external influence field, the response of an individual structure and the observations required to justify a technical decision. Research scope and contribution The central premise is that a shared influence zone does not, by itself, justify assuming an identical structural response or an identical requirement for monitoring and control. Structures exposed to the same ground-deformation field may respond differently because of their mechanical properties and soil–structure interaction. Conversely, a calculated difference in response does not necessarily require a different assessment class or monitoring package. IAS-DX therefore links the interpretation of construction effects to the individual structure, its assessment domain and the evidence available at a particular construction stage. The framework retains the DOCC → SETTLE → OSCAR → MATCH architecture. DOCC establishes the documentation and evidence record, preserving source attribution, chronology, completeness and reliability. SETTLE characterises deformation patterns and their intersection with the structure’s assessment domain, distinguishing rigid-body movement from non-rigid deformation. OSCAR combines supported object-level descriptors while explicitly propagating uncertainty and missing information. MATCH links the relevant response mechanisms to monitoring and technical-control packages capable of observing them at the required location, resolution and frequency. The resulting assessment preserves the distinction between physical response, evidence quality and the adequacy of the proposed control measures. The mathematical specification includes a reduced-order soil–structure transfer model, baseline-referenced dynamic evidence through IDYN, and geometry-change assessment with measurement uncertainty through ISCAN. Particular attention is given to incomplete observations: an unavailable diagnostic channel is represented by an admissible range rather than an assumed zero. Where uncertainty spans a classification boundary, the framework retains the admissible class set. Monitoring adequacy is assessed against each critical mechanism, preventing an otherwise favourable aggregate compatibility score from concealing a critical blind spot. Research basis and numerical verification The work is informed by a three-year research programme comprising 32 investigated objects: 14 associated with a multiyear, multistage and multidisciplinary infrastructure project, four road cases, six bridge cases and eight building cases. Selected engineering calculations and condition-inventory evidence provide the practical reference context, while the numerical experiments are identified separately as controlled synthetic studies. The programme’s object count describes its research scope rather than a completed statistical validation dataset. The numerical studies examine differential elastic response under an identical imposed deformation field, dynamic amplification under common excitation, baseline correction of modal observations, uncertainty propagation and mechanism-specific monitoring coverage. A 20,000-realisation Monte Carlo analysis investigates conditional classification stability under declared weight perturbations. Additional checks address rigid-motion invariance, numerical equilibrium, grid refinement and the consequences of unresolved diagnostic information. Together, these studies document the computational behaviour of the proposed specification while maintaining a clear separation between numerical verification and empirical performance assessment. Research status and intended use IAS-DX is presented as an evolving research framework supported by engineering case evidence and explicit numerical verification. Calibration and independent field validation remain ongoing. Its intended contribution is a transparent connection between observations, structural interpretation and proportionate technical control, with an assessment record that can be reviewed and updated as construction progresses. The final output is a traceable object–stage assessment, preserving the evidence, uncertainty, relevant mechanisms and reasons for the recommended action rather than reducing the decision to a stand-alone safety score. IAS-DX forms part of the author’s ongoing research and of the solution included in her patent application.