Research methods: Considering the circumstance of surface subsidence of North China plain, the consolidation settlement model is established for surface subsidence caused by pumping shallow groundwater. Centrifuge model tests are conducted to investigate behavior of surface settlement due to pumping groundwater. A drainage system is developed to simulate pumping water during centrifuge tests. The pore water pressure and deformation of silt foundation are measured during the centrifuge model tests of the pumping water to seek their distribution regularity, and the analyses and comparison are made for the influences of them on the different types of bridge.
Research results: The analyses of the mechanism of surface subsidence caused by pumping groundwater，made，the behavior and characteristics of ground settlement due to pumping shallow groundwater and its influences on the high-speed railway are discussed with centrifuge model tests , and the countermeasures of subsidence prevention and the engineering measures are also put forward in this paper.
Research conclusions : The influence of the asymmetry subsidence caused by pumping shallow groundwater on high- speed railway engineering is serious, but it can be prevented and cured by controlling groundwater pumping and adopting suitable engineering structure.
2007, Vol. 24 
