• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.326-350
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• 2006

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.223-242
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• 2024

Single-shell tunnels, introduced to South Korea in the early 2000s, have not been adopted for the main tunnels of roads or railways over the past two decades despite several attempts starting with the Gwangju City Bypass. This reluctance likely arises from concerns about the long-term performance of supporting materials and the absence of relevant criteria and specifications. However, recent progress, including the incorporation of high-strength shotcrete standards and corrosion-resistant rock bolt specifications, alongside equipment and technique enhancements, necessitates a reassessment of single-shell tunnels. While the single-shell tunnel method offers advantages in environmental impact, construction cost and period compared to the conventional NATM, it is crucial to address the challenges, such as limited design and construction experience, incomplete detailed standards, and insufficient construction specifications, through further research and pilot projects. This paper reviewed the basic principles of single-shell tunnel, current application and research status, technical development trends, criteria and specifications, and remaining challenges. It aims to reignite discussions on the feasibility of applying single-shell tunnels in South Korea.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.266-284
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• 2007

Recently, many efforts have been made to construct the first unlined tunnel, without in-situ concrete lining, in Korea. However, the lack of reliability in the performance of shotcrete as permanent tunnel support prevented from its realization. Shotcrete has been regarded to have significant problems in field application and long term performance because of unsatisfactory strength level and durability compared to those of European countries. In this study, the high strength shotcrete satisfying compressive strength over 40 MPa and flexural strength over 4.5 MPa was developed from optimized mix design. The type of accelerators and the amount of silica fume were selected as the main factors in mixing process and the analyses were carried out up to the elapsed time of 2 years. In order to evaluate the short term durability of shotcrete, an array of laboratory test consisting of freeze-thaw, carbonation chloride penetration and permeability test was performed. For long-term durability tests, specimens have been put in an operated highway tunnel to expose them to the similar environment when they are actually used as an unlined tunnel support. From the strength and durability tests, it was found that only alkali-free based accelerator satisfied the target strength of this study and also, the developed shotcrete showed very high performance in its durability.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.25-36
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• 2001

록볼트의 작용효과는 지반이 굴착되어 안정화되는 초기 1달간이 가장 중요하고 품질관리 문제는 지반조건에 따라 부식에 대한 문제가 있으나, 기존의 전면접착형 록볼트의 경우도 작업여건상 그 확실성은 떨어지는 것이 현실이다. 또한 작업이 시간소모가 크고, 볼트의 지지효과도 충진재가 고결되어야 발효되는 약점을 갖고 있어, 일본, 말레이시아, 유럽 등에서 전면 마찰형 즉시 지보기능이 가능한 Swellex Bolt를 영구지보재로 사용하고 있는 경향이 있다. 기존의 전면 접착형 SN Bolt(이형철근)로써 Grouting 몰탈볼트와 Cem Bolt로 설계된 장대·대단면 도로터널 지보재를 현대식 Swellex Bolt로 대체 설계변경이 가능한 것인지에 대하여 볼트의 지지력 시험(Pullout Test), 볼트재질의 내구성 연구 및 설계변경에 따른 수치해석 등을 실시하여, 볼트로써 지지력을 확인하고, 재질의 안전성을 조사한 후 시공 사이클 타임을 줄이며, 견고하고 시공성이 우수한 Swellex Bolt로의 설계변경을 제안하게 되었다.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2004

The development of high-performance shotcrete lining is essential in improving the long-term durability of tunnels and in introducing single-shell tunnelling methods, where shotcrete as well as rockbolts are used as permanent support members. In this paper, new and advanced admixtures to improve shotcrete performance are introduced. In addition, requirements for mechanical properties as well as test items for quality control of shotcrete are summarized. A case study on the application of the pneumatic pin penetration test which can estimate compressive strength of shotcrete more easily and quickly is also illustrated. Previous studies to analyze the behaviors of shotcrete lining by considering its transient hardening and to carry out the sensitivity analysis of the design parameters of shotcrete lining are discussed to give fundamental concepts on rock-support interactions. Representative single-shell tunnelling methods where high-performance shotcrete lining is applied as a permanent support are also introduced.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.16 no.3 s.49
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• pp.283-291
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• 2006

Shotcrete is used as a permanent lining in single shell tunnels even though shotcrete has been used as a temporary lining in NATM tunnels. Therefore, the accurate evaluation of strength parameters is very crucial because the reliable estimation of loads acting on the shotcretes is necessary to maintain the stability of tunnels. The evaluation of strength parameters of the ground far the single shell tunnels should be investigated to adapt the method in Korea because the geological condition of Korea is different from that of other country. Rock classification and strength parameters obtained from 25 tunnel sites were investigated for this study. Support types fur the different rock classes are suggested for the single shell tunnels in Korea based on the NMT because Q-system has been widely used in Korea. The support types in terms of both Q and RMR values are given based on the correlation of Q and RMR values obtained from the case studies.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.124-131
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• 2010

Rock Bolt generally utilizes deformed reinforcing bar welded from structural steel of which strength is higher than required for making advantageous use of the support function of ground. In the condition with highly corrosive underground water, however, problem frequently occurs on tunnel and slope stabilization in terms of repair, rehabilitation and maintenance issues due to the destruction of Rock Bolt by corrosion of steel. A structural performance evaluation for GFRP Rock Bolt was conducted for the purpose of resolving the foregoing problem and at the same time developing a permanently-usable support material. This study intended to evaluate the safety factor of GFRP Rock Bolt by implementing the slope stability interpretation via structural analysis on the basis of its structural characteristics derived from both tensile force function test and shear force function test. It is judged based on the results that GFRP Rock Bolt would secure sufficient ground stability as an alternative material for existing Steel Rock Bolt.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.261-269
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• 2016

Pipe-roof method is one of the mostly used method to prevent the ground subsidence during the tunnel construction. As pipe-roof method has made technical advancement and performance improvement, it suggested to utilize pipe-roof to a permanent support system rather than a temporal pre-reinforcing method. Therefore, in this study, pipe-roof method is numerically simulated using finite element method to evaluate effects of pipe-roof on behavior of ground and structure. Analyses are performed considering two major conditions that are with and without the application of pipe-roof and the shape of tunnel cross section. The results are presented with respect to variation of settlement and vertical stress distribution. Based on this results, it is found that ground settlement above the shallow tunnel can be considerably reduced by application of pipe-roof system. Also, the shape of tunnel cross section can influence on the mechanical behavior of ground and structure.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.29-36
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• 2008

The shotcrete is a NATM technique as a major tunnel support for ground stability after tunnel excavation. Instead of a general concrete lining method, it is a trend for curtail of construction periods and reduction of construction expenses that required to use of the permanent shotcrete lining. This high-strength shotcrete is required to use as a permanent shotcrete lining. This brought out the solution of environmental pollution and harmfulness to human. Accordingly, in this study specimens for strength measurement were made to develop shotcrete possible to develop materials in early with cement mineral accelerator as NATM method construction. It was compared with existing shotcrete material, unconfined compression test, flexural strength test, antiwashout underwater test were experimented. The fish poison test was experimented to evaluate an influence of environment. As a results of the test, unconfined compressive strength and flexural strength were equivalent with 28-curing day strength of existing material. An antiwashout of research subject material was revealed excellently in antiwashout Underwater test. As a results of the fish poison, an evaluation research subject material was founded more environmentally friendly than existing shotcrete.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2002

From the early 1980's, the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) has been developed as one of the standard tunnelling methods in Korea. Approximately 10 years ago, wet-mix shotcrete with sodium silicate (waterglass) accelerator was introduced and widely used to tunnel lining and underground support. However, this accelerator had some disadvantages due to the decrease of long-term strength compared to plain concrete (without accelerator) and low quality of the hardened shotcrete. In order to compensate for these disadvantages, recently developed alkali-free accelerator has been successfully demonstrated in numerous projects and applications as a new material to make tunnels more durable and safer. An experimental investigation was carried out in order to verify the strength behavior of wet-mix Steel Fiber Reinforced Shotcrete (SFRS) with alkali-free accelerator. Compressive strength, flexural strength, and flexural toughness were measured by testing specimens extracted from the shotcrete panels. From the results, wet-mix SFRS with alkali-free accelerator exhibited excellent strength improvement compared to the conventional shotcrete accelerator.