• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.144-156
• /
• 2012

This paper discusses the methods of estimating the punch penetration indices and data analysis punch penetration test to estimate the TBM normal force and penetration rate. In punch penetration test is known as a useful test to estimate penetration rates and normal force of TBMs directly with several slope indices indicated drill-ability and brittleness of rocks. However, the standard methods and indices for punch penetration test are not suggested yet. The main purpose of punch penetration test which is prediction of normal force of TBM disc cutter when cutters excavate rock mass. In this study, the punch penetration tests were performed for 6 representative Korean rock types and variety length and diameter of rock core specimens. Among slope indices were obtained from punch penetration test, PLI and MLI which is suggested in this study show high correlation with cutter force measured by full-scale cutting test. The results show that the predicted normal force of a single disc cutter and the experimental error was 10%. Based on these results, it is concluded that punch penetration test is reliable laboratory test for estimating thrust and penetration rates of TBM.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.599-614
• /
• 2014

When tunnelling with TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine), accessibility to tunnel face is very limited because tunnel face is mostly occupied by a bunch of machines. Existing techniques that can predict ground condition ahead of TBM tunnel are extremely limited. In this study, the TBM Resistivity Prediction (TRP) system has been developed for predicting anomalous zone ahead of tunnel face utilizing electrical resistivity. The applicability and prediction accuracy of the developed system has been verified by performing field tests at subway tunnel construction site in which an EPB (Earth Pressure Balanced) shield TBM was used for tunnelling work. The TRP system is able to predicts the location, thickness and electrical properties of anomalous zone by performing inverse analysis using measured resistivity of the ground. To make field tests possible, an apparatus was devised to attach electrode to tunnel face through the chamber. The electrode can be advanced from the chamber to the tunnel face to fully touch the ground in front of the tunnel face. In the 1st field test, none of the anomalous zone was predicted, because the rock around the tunnel face has the same resistivity and permittivity with the rock ahead of tunnel face. In the 2nd field test, 5 m thick anomalous zone was predicted with lower permittivity than that of the rock around the tunnel face. The test results match well with the ground condition predicted, respectively, from geophysical exploration, or directly obtained either from drilling boreholes or from daily observed muck condition.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.143-154
• /
• 2016

This study investigated the occurrences, causes, and mitigation of the recent ground subsidence and underground cavity generation events in Korea. Two main causes of ground subsidence are (1) the soil erosion by seepage during tunneling and earth excavation and (2) the damage of underground pipes. The main cause of the soil erosion during tunneling was the uncontrolled groundwater flow. Especially, when excavating soft grounds using a tunnel boring machine (TBM), the ground near TBM operation halt points were found to be the most vulnerable to failure. The damage of underground pipes was mainly caused by poor construction, material deterioration, and differential settlement in soft soils. The ground subsidence during tunneling and earth excavation can be managed by monitoring the outflow of groundwater and eroded soils in construction sites. It is expected that the ground subsidence by the underground pipe damage can be managed or mitigated by life cycle analysis and maintenance of the buried pipes, and by controlling the earth pressure distribution or increasing the bearing capacity at the upper ground of the buried pipes.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.213-224
• /
• 2014

Recently, tunnelling with TBM is getting popular for the construction of cable tunnel in urban area. Mechanized tunnelling method using shield TBM has various advantages such as minimization of ground settlement and prevention of vibration induced by blasting that should be accompanied by conventional tunnelling. In Korea, earth pressure balance (EPB) type shield TBM has been mainly used. Despite the popularity of EPB shield TBM for cable tunnel construction, study on the mechanical behavior of cable tunnel driven by shield TBM is insufficient. Especially, the effect of backfill grout injection on the behavior of cable tunnel driven by shield TBM is investigated in this study. Tunnelling with shield TBM is simulated using 3D FEM. The distance of backfill grout injection from the end of shield skin varies. Sectional forces such as axial force, shear force and bending moment are monitored. Vertical displacement at the ground surface is measured. Futhermore, the relation between volume loss and the distance of backfill grout injection from the end of skin plate is derived. Based on the stability analysis with the results obtained from the numerical analysis, the most appropriate injection distance can be obtained.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.135-144
• /
• 2020

Since the depth of tunneling with tunnel boring machine (TBM) becomes deeper and deeper, the expense for site investigation for coring and geophysical survey increases to obtain the sufficient accuracy. The tunnel ahead prediction methods have been introduced to overcome this limitation in the stage of site investigation. Probe drilling can obtain the core and borehole images from a borehole. However, the space in TBM for the probe drilling equipment is restricted and the core from probe drilling cannot reflect the whole tunnel face. Seismic methods such as tunnel seismic prediction (TSP) can forecast over 100 m ahead from the tunnel face though the signal is usually generated using the explosive which can affect the stability of segments and backfill grout. Electromagnetic methods such as tunnel electrical resistivity prospecting system (TEPS) offer the exact prediction for a conductive zone such as water-bearing zone. However, the number of electrodes installed for exploration is limited in small diameter TBM and finally the reduction of prediction ranges. In this study, the theoretical equations for the electrical resistivity survey whose electrodes are installed in the face and side of TBM to minimize the installed electrodes on face. The experimental tests were conducted to verify the derived equations.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.35-45
• /
• 2018

It is essential to predict ground conditions ahead of the tunnel face during tunnel excavation. Various studies on tunnel prediction method of the ground condition ahead of the tunnel face have already been done and applied to in mechanized tunnelling job sites. So, all the methods used in mechanized tunnelling to predict ground conditions ahead of the tunnel face were reviewed. A questionnaire surveying Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operators with at least 10 years' experience in TBM operation was used to determine the requirements for prediction methods as well as the distance from the tunnel face that must be assessed. Based on the result of questionnaire survey, the most feasible prediction methods applicable to mechanized tunnelling job-sites are suggested. One of the prediction methods applicable to mechanized tunnelling job-sites might be the electrical resistivity survey by utilizing the disk cutter on the cutterhead as electrode. So, in this study, laboratory tests were performed to evaluate the feasibility of prediction method utilizing electrical resistivity survey at mechanized tunnelling job-sites. It was found that geological condition ahead of 0.3 times of TBM's diameter from tunnel face could be predicted.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.39-47
• /
• 2003

Rockbursts are mainly caused by a sudden release or the stored strain energy in the rock mass. They have been the major hazard in deep hard rock mines but rarely occur in tunnels. Due to the short history and limited information on rockbursts, the topic has rarely been studied in Korea. Some cases of rockbursts, however, have been reported during construction of a mountain tunnel for waterway. This study focuses on analyzing data on rockbursts obtained from a TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunnel and suggests methods for a comprehensive understanding on rockbursts. From the analysis of the field data of rockbursts, it was found that most rockbursts mainly occurred at the section between the tunnel face and the TBM operating room, and the rock bursting phenomena lasted up to 20 days after excavation in certain areas. The data also show that the bursting spots are located all around the tunnel surface including the face, the wall, and the roof, The maximum size of bursting spots is usually less than 100cm. This study also suggests new scale systems of brittleness and uniaxial compressive strength to evaluate the possible tendency for a rockburst. These systems are scaled based on the scale system of strain energy density. In addition, with these scale systems, this research shows that there are potentially higher tendencies for rockbursts in this specific tunnel. Moreover this research suggests that properties of rock and rock mass, RMR (Rock Mass Rating) value, tunneling method, excavating speed, and depth of tunnel have a strong correlation with rockbursts.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.61-70
• /
• 2011

This paper describes prediction results of penetration rate using case history in order to compare empirical models for penetration rate prediction of TBM. The reasonable empirical model is evaluated by comparison with prediction results and measured result. The penetration rate prediction is applied in separate empirical models considering rock characteristics and mechanical characteristics of TBM. The rock of applied filed had almost gneiss and its unconfined compressive strength was irregular due to the exist of weak zones and joint. In prediction results using unconfined compressive strength, Graham's model (1976) had impractical result when it had lower strength. NTNU model (1998) of the separate empirical models used in average penetration rate had the highest accuracy by comparison with the others, because it is a reasonable model which has rock characteristics and mechanical characteristics of TBM. However, Tarkoy's model (1986) based on unconfined compressive strength correspond with the measured values in field. Therefore, it should be considered a rock type, geological characteristic and mechanical characteristic of TBM at prediction of penetration rate.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2016

When utilizing a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for tunnelling work, unexpected ground conditions can be encountered that are not predicted in the design stage. These include fractured zones or mixed ground conditions that are likely to reduce the stability of TBM excavation, and result in considerable economic losses such as construction delays or increases in costs. Minimizing these potential risks during tunnel construction is therefore a crucial issue in any mechanized tunneling project. This paper proposed the potential risk events that may occur due to risky ground conditions. A resistivity survey is utilized to predict the risky ground conditions ahead of the tunnel face during construction. The potential risk events are then evaluated based on their occurrence probability and impact. A TBM risk management system that can suggest proper solution methods (measures) for potential risk events is also developed. Multi-Criterion Decision Making (MCDM) is utilized to determine the optimal solution method (optimal measure) to handle risk events. Lastly, an actual construction site, at which there was a risk event during Earth Pressure-Balance (EPB) Shield TBM construction, is analyzed to verify the efficacy of the proposed system.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.1029-1044
• /
• 2017

The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is one of the useful numerical methods to analyze the behavior of the ground formation by computing the motion and interaction using particles. The DEM has not been applied in civil engineering but also a wide range of industrial fields, such as chemical engineering, pharmacy, material science, food engineering, etc. In this study, to review a performance of the spoke-type earth pressure balance (EPB) shield TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine), the commercial software based on the DEM technology was used. An analysis of the TBM during excavation was conducted according to two pre-defined excavation conditions with the different rotation speed of a cutterhead. During the analysis, the resistant torque at the face of the cutterhead, the compressive force at the cutterhead and shield surface, the muck discharge at the screw auger were measured and compared. Upon the two kinds of excavation conditions, the applicability of the DEM analysis was reviewed as a modelling method for the TBM.