• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.231-246
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• 2012

Recently, the construction of tunnel frequently involves neighboring weak ground conditions. In this case, the stabilized ground could be relaxed by the excavation of tunnel. This will create issues in terms of stability of tunnel. Major factors determining the stability of tunnel can be the direction (angle) of weak zone, the distance between tunnel and boundary of weak zone and so on. In this study, by quantifying the displacement and crack propagation during the excavation of tunnel constructed neighboring weak zone, the influence of the direction of weak zone and the distance between tunnel and boundary of weak zone on the mechanical behavior of tunnel is investigated. A series of experimental scaled model tests by changing the direction of weak zone and the distance between tunnel and boundary of weak zone, are performed and analyzed under the condition of homogeneous material. The results show that as the angle between ground surface and boundary of weak zone moves from horizontal to perpendicular plane, displacement near tunnel increases. An increased distance between tunnel and boundary of weak zone induces displacements near tunnel to decrease and stabilizes beyond a certain level of distance. These findings verify and extend the earlier studies quantitatively. Finally, an appropriate distance between tunnel and boundary of weak zone according to the angle of weak zone is justified. This fundamental insight provides the basis for a more rational design of tunnel neighboring weak ground conditions.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.476-485
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to present an analysis method for the prediction of the change of ground conditions. To this end, three-dimensional convergence displacements is analyzed in several ways to estimate the trend of displacement change. Three-dimensional arching effect is occurred around the unsupported excavation surface including tunnel face when a tunnel is excavated in a stable rock mass. If the ground condition ahead of tunnel face changes or a weak fracture zone exists a specific trend of displacement change is known to be occurred from the results of the existing researches. The existence of a discontinuity, whose change in front of the tunnel face, can be predicted from the ratio of L/C (longitudinal displacement at crown divided by settlement at crown) etc. Therefore, the change of ground condition and the existence of a fracture zone ahead of tunnel face can be predicted by monitoring three-dimensional absolute displacements during excavation, and applying the methodology presented in this study.