• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.79-89
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• 2012

This paper presents experimental and numerical studies on the closure ratio of tunnel face to reduce pressure and displacement occurring at tunnel face during tunnel excavation. In experimental study, model tests are carried out according to the closure ratio of tunnel face and tunnel depth. Model test results are analyzed and interpreted by numerical calculation in order to verify results obtained from experimental and numerical studies. It is clearly found that tunnel face stability increases with the increase of the closure ratio of tunnel face. The results also show that tunnel face is stable when the closure ratio of tunnel face is larger than 80%. This research will be very useful to develop the economical tunnel face closing system.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.366-374
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• 2008

Tunnelling under water table induces many geotechnical problems because of groundwater. In subsea tunneling, reduction of face stability can induce flooding in the vicinity of a fracture zone characterized by high permeability and high water pressure. In this study, the effects of high water pressure on the stability of a tunnel face in a limited zone with high permeability(hazardous zone) are analyzed. On the basis of the 'advance core' concept, the seepage force acting on a hypothetical cylinder ahead of a tunnel face is modeled. This study focuses on the hydraulic behavior of the ground ahead of the tunnel face by three-dimensional steady-state seepage analyses. The impact of the hazardous zone on the seepage force and stability of the tunnel face are simulated and analyzed. In light of the analysis results, it is estimated that the distance from the tunnel face to the exterior boundary limit, which the seepage force significantly affects the stability of the tunnel face, of a hypothetical cylinder is approximately 5 times the tunnel radii. Despite the restrictive assumptions of this study, the results are highly indicative regarding the risks of hazardous zones.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.427-435
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• 2008

In this paper, review was made for the excavation method and optimum bench length for unstable tunnel face in case of rock classification type V in order to make the best use of in-situ bearing capacity. 3D FEM analyses were performed to investigate the influences on the tunnel face and adjacent area with regard to the pattern and number of bolts when face bolts were used as a supplementary measure. As a result of this study, full section excavation method with sub-bench is effective in reducing the displacement greatly due to early section closure. Displacement-resistant effects in accordance with the bolting patterns are grid type, zig-zag type and then circular type in order of their effect. And horizontal extrusion displacement of tunnel face reduces as the number of bolts increase. A grid type face bolt covering $1.5m^2$ of tunnel face could secure the face stability in case of full section excavation method with sub-bench.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2013

In this study, we carried out an experimental shield TBM excavation model test using a down-scale device in soft clay, to understand tunnel-face stability properties in relation to changes in slurry pressure. We performed five tests according to tunnel depth (0.5D, 0.75D, 1.0D, 1.25D, 1.5D), and compared theoretical tunnel-face pressure with model test results. The range in theoretical tunnel-face slurry pressure ($P_{min}{\leq}P_{slurry\;pressure}{\leq}P_{max}$), which is determined by earth pressure and water level, was very similar to the model test result. This result was due to the more isotropic condition of the soft clay ground, than of rocky ground.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.71-82
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• 2006

One of the most popular pre-reinforcement methods of tunnel heading in cohesionless soils would be the fore-polling of grouted pipes, known as RPUM (reinforced protective umbrella method) or UAM (umbrella arch method). This technique allows safe excavation even in poor ground conditions by creating longitudinal arch parallel to the tunnel axis as the tunnel advances. Some previous studies on the reinforcing effects have been performed using numerical methods and/or laboratory-based small scale model tests. The complexity of boundary conditions imposes difficulties in representing the tunnelling procedure in laboratory tests and theoretical approaches. Full-scale study to identify reinforcing effects of the tunnel heading has rarely been carried out so far. In this study, a large scale model testing for a tunnel in granular soils was performed. Reinforcing patterns considered are four cases, Non-Reinforced, Crown-Reinforced, Crown & Face-Reinforced, and Face-Reinforced. The behavior of ground and pipes as reinforcing member were fully measured as the surcharge pressure applied. The influences of reinforcing pattern, pipe length, and face reinforcement were investigated in terms of stress and displacement. It is revealed that only the Face-Reinforced has decreased sufficiently both vertical settlement in tunnel heading and horizontal displacement on the face. Vertical stresses along the tunnel axis were concentrated in tunnel heading from the test results, so the heading should be reinforced before tunnel advancing. Most of maximum axial forces and bending moments for Crown-reinforced were measured at 0.75D from the face. Also it should be recommended that the minimum length of the pipe is more than l.0D for crown reinforcement.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.32-40
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• 2000

This paper presents the results of a parametric study on the behavior of tunnel face reinforced with horizontal pipes. A series of reduced-scale model tests was carried out to in an attempt to verify previously performed three-dimensional numerical modeling and to investigate effects of reinforcement layout on the tunnel face deformation behavior. The results of model tests indicate that the tunnel face deformation can significantly reduced by pre-reinforcing the tunnel face with longitudinal members and thus enhancing the tunnel stability. In addition, the model tests results compare fairly well with those from the previously performed three-dimensional finite element analysis. Therefore, a properly calibrated three dimensional model may effectively be used in the study of tunnel face reinforcing technique.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.189-206
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• 2003

During tunnel excavation in urban area a systematic monitoring is important for the purpose of determination of support type and quantity, as well as for the control of stability of both surface structures and the tunnel itself due to the frequently, and in many cases, abruptly changing ground condition. In Austria absolute displacement monitoring methods have replaced relative displacement measurements by geodetic methods to a large extent. Prompt detection of weak ground ahead of the tunnel face as well as better adjustment of excavation and support to the geotechnical conditions is possible with the help of the improved methods of data evaluation on sites. Deformation response of the ground to excavation starts ahead of the tunnel face, therefore, the deformation and state of the tunnel advance core is the key factor of the whole deformation process after excavation. In other words, the rigidity and state of the advance core play a determining role in the stability of both surface structures and the tunnel itself. This paper presents the results from detailed three-dimensional numerical studies, exploring vertical displacements, vector orientations and extrusions on tunnel face during the progressive advancement for the shallow tunnel in various geotechnical conditions.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.677-683
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• 2016

In urban areas, underground tunnel construction sites have spread widely to accommodate rapidly increasing traffic volume along with a high-degree economic growth. Earth tunneling might be adapted frequently for the underground space securing, and various tunneling methods have been developed to stabilize the tunnel face and crown. Among them, the DSM (divided shield method) is gaining popularity for its enhanced stability and construction efficiency. This method has its foundation from the Messer Shield method, which is one of the trenchless special tunneling methods. This study examined the effects of face reinforcement on construction the sequence through a large scale soil chamber test and numerical analyses. The chamber has a size of a 1/2 scale of the real tunnel. Surface settlements were measured according the tunneling process. Commercially available software, MIDAS GTS, was used for numerical analysis and its result was compared with the values obtained from the chamber test. The results of the study show that both settlements of the embanked soils and the stress of the tunnel girder are located within the safe criteria. Overall, this study provides basic data and the potential of using a reinforced tunnel face to enhance DSM applications.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2009

Tunnel excavation with several sections and appropriate auxiliary measures such as face bolt and pre-grouting are widely used in case of weak and less rigid ground for the stability of a tunnel face during excavation. This papers first described the evaluation methods proposed in technical literature to maintain the tunnel face stable, and then studied by FEM analysis whether face reinforcement is need in what degree of ground deformation and strength features for the stability of a tunnel face when excavating by full excavation with sub-bench. Lastly, a three dimensional FEM analysis was performed to study how the tunnel face itself and the ground around the tunnel behave depending on different bolt layouts, length of bolts, number of bolts. There were relative differences in comparison of results on the stability of a tunnel face by a theoretical evaluation methods and FEM analysis, but the same in reinforced effect of face. It was found that the stability of a tunnel face can be obtained with face bolt installed longer than 1.0D (tunnel width), bolt density of about 1 bolt per every $1.5\;m^2$ (layout of grid type), and reinforcement area of $120^{\circ}$ arch area of upper section.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.6-19
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• 2003

This study has for its object to increase an objectivity of the observation result in the face mapping of tunnel and to suggest the reasonable support and reinforcement methods to be considered the rock properties. It was developed in this study to the tunnel stability evaluation system(Prototype NFEST) to be used fuzzy set theory and neuro-fuzzy techniques, and this system was verified according to the reliability evaluation between the 36 learning data and the inferred results. When it summarized the results; (1) 12 evaluation items and ranges were proposed to be modified basis on the RMR which are well known to the domestic workers. (2) It was shown that correlation coefficient(│R│) between $RMR_{inf}$ inferred by 12 items and $RMR_{org}$ due to arithmetic total, $RMR_{chk}$ due to subjective judgement of observer are relatively high relationship with each 0.83 and 0.79. (3) Inferred result of the total tunnel safety shows also a good relationship with $RMR_{inf}$ (│R│=0.7) and the rock weathering(│R│=0.84).