• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.583-603
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• 2023

Recently, the advancement of mechanical tunnel boring machine (TBM) technology and the characteristics of subsea railway tunnels subjected to hydrostatic pressure have led to the widespread application of shield TBM methods in the design and construction of subsea railway tunnels. Subsea railway tunnels are exposed in a constant pore water pressure and are influenced by the amplification of seismic waves during earthquake. In particular, seismic loads acting on subsea railway tunnels under various ground conditions such as soft ground, soft soil-rock composite ground, and fractured zones can cause significant changes in tunnel displacement and stress, thereby affecting tunnel safety. Additionally, the dynamic response of the ground and tunnel varies based on seismic load parameters such as frequency characteristics, seismic waveform, and peak acceleration, adding complexity to the behavior of the ground-tunnel structure system. In this study, a finite difference method is employed to model the entire ground-tunnel structure system, considering hydrostatic pressure, for the investigation of dynamic behavior of subsea railway tunnel during earthquake. Since the key factors influencing the dynamic behavior during seismic events are ground conditions and seismic waves, six analysis cases are established based on virtual ground conditions: Case-1 with weathered soil, Case-2 with hard rock, Case-3 with a composite ground of soil and hard rock in the tunnel longitudinal direction, Case-4 with the tunnel passing through a narrow fault zone, Case-5 with a composite ground of soft soil and hard rock in the tunnel longitudinal direction, and Case-6 with the tunnel passing through a wide fractured zone. As a result, horizontal displacements due to earthquakes tend to increase with an increase in ground stiffness, however, the displacements tend to be restrained due to the confining effects of the ground and the rigid shield segments. On the contrary, peak compressive stress of segment significantly increases with weaker ground stiffness and the effects of displacement restrain contribute the increase of peak compressive stress of segment.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.271-287
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• 2013

In this study, more convenient model(S-model) for predicting ground surface settlement is developed through comparing field monitoring data of the domestic subway applied shield TBM method with conventional equation & numerical analysis. Sample stations are chosen from whole of excavation section and lateral & vertical ground surface settlement characteristic with excavation are analysed. Based on analysis result, through the comparison with actual monitoring data, the model that is possible to compute maximum surface settlement and settlement influence area is suggested with assumption that lateral surface settlement forms are composed relaxed zone and elastic zone. In addition, vertical ground surface settlement patterns with excavation are similar to cubic-function and S-model with assumption that coefficients are function of tunnel diameter and depth is suggested. Consequently, the ground surface settlement patterns are significantly similar to actual monitoring data and numerical method result. Thus, as a result, when tunnels are excavated using sheild TBM through rather soft weathered soil & rock layer, prediction of ground surface settlement with excavation using convenient S-model is practicable.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.227-242
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• 2019

This paper presents a method to predict ground types ahead of a tunnel face utilizing operational data of the earth pressure-balanced (EPB) shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) when running through soil ground. The time series analysis model which was applicable to predict the mixed ground composed of soils and rocks was modified to be applicable to soil tunnels. Using the modified model, the feasibility on the choice of the soil conditioning materials dependent upon soil types was studied. To do this, a self-organizing map (SOM) clustering was performed. Firstly, it was confirmed that the ground types should be classified based on the percentage of 35% passing through the #200 sieve. Then, the possibility of predicting the ground types by employing the modified model, in which the TBM operational data were analyzed, was studied. The efficacy of the modified model is demonstrated by its 98% accuracy in predicting ground types ten rings ahead of the tunnel face. Especially, the average prediction accuracy was approximately 93% in areas where ground type variations occur.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.375-393
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• 2022

This study was deal with blow-out and buoyancy stability evaluation method for slurry shield TBM. When applying a slurry shield TBM for the construction of a shallow tunnel under river or sea, the stability of slurry blow-out and segment lining buoyancy should be evaluated. However, there is a problem in that the currently applied theoretical formula is somewhat complicated, making it inconvenient to calculate in practice. In this study, some simple charts were proposed to easily evaluate the stability of slurry blow-out and segment lining buoyancy. In addition, the buoyancy safety factor of segment lining using the strength reduction method was evaluated and compared with the buoyancy safety factor based on the theoretical formula. The buoyancy safety factor by the theoretical formula was evaluated to be rather small, and it was confirmed that it was on the safe side. The simplified charts for the evaluation of slurry blow-out and buoyancy stability presented in this study are expected to be usefully utilized in the planning and design of undersea tunnels.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.148-156
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• 2019

In urban area, the use of mechanical excavators (e.g., TBM and roadheader) has been increasing in construction of tunnelling and underground space. The undercutting technology, which is modified from the conventional rock-cutting concept, has been developed by advanced countries. Therefore, research on the latest technology of mechanical excavation is required, and keeping carrying out research on conventional mechanical tunneling methods at the same time. In this study, as a fundamental study of the undercutting technique, the principle and concept of the undercutting were introduced, as well as the current status of the research of advanced countries. The undercutting is applicable as a full-face excavation method for the tunnels and underground spaces, as well as an auxiliary(partial-face excavation) method for extension of the existing tunnels.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.15-38
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• 2022

Recently, tunnel technology in Korea has shown various achievements such as long tunnel and large section by tunnel construction using TBM in Korea and abroad. Especially subsea tunnels are frequently designed and constructed. The Ga-deok subsea tunnel was completed in December 2010, and the Incheon North Port Tunnel was opened and operated in 2017, and the Bo-ryeong subsea tunnel between Dae-cheon Port and Won-san Island will be completed in 2021. In foreign countries, many subsea tunnels have been constructed and operated in such as Norway and Japan. The main technical problem in the construction of subsea tunnel is to secure stability due to high water pressure conditions and large-scale seawater inflow in fault zones and weak zones. In this paper, various risk factors and solutions are described in the subsea tunnel planning of national road 77 construction work between Abhae and Hwawon.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.305-313
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• 2020

The use of cable tunnels for electric power transmission as well as their construction in difficult conditions such as in subsea terrains and large overburden areas has increased. So, in order to efficiently operate the small diameter shield TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine), the estimation of advance rate and development of a design model is necessary. However, due to limited scope of survey and face mapping, it is very difficult to match the rock mass characteristics and TBM operational data in order to achieve their mutual relationships and to develop an advance rate model. Also, the working mechanism of previously utilized linear cutting machine is slightly different than the real excavation mechanism owing to the penetration of a number of disc cutters taking place at the same time in the rock mass in conjunction with rotation of the cutterhead. So, in order to suggest the advance rate and machine design models for small diameter TBMs, an EPB (Earth Pressure Balance) shield TBM having 3.54 m diameter cutterhead was manufactured and 19 cases of full-scale tunneling tests were performed each in 87.5 ㎥ volume of artificial rock mass. The relationships between advance rate and machine data were effectively analyzed by performing the tests in homogeneous rock mass with 70 MPa uniaxial compressive strength according to the TBM operational parameters such as thrust force and RPM of cutterhead. The utilization of the recorded penetration depth and torque values in the development of models is more accurate and realistic since they were derived through real excavation mechanism. The relationships between normal force on single disc cutter and penetration depth as well as between normal force and rolling force were suggested in this study. The prediction of advance rate and design of TBM can be performed in rock mass having 70 MPa strength using these relationships. An effort was made to improve the application of the developed model by applying the FPI (Field Penetration Index) concept which can overcome the limitation of 100% RQD (Rock Quality Designation) in artificial rock mass.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.735-747
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• 2019

Due to the lack of ground space by urbanization, the demand of utility tunnels for laying social facilities is increasing. During the construction of a utility tunnel in downtown area using a shield TBM, various problems may occur when difficult ground is encountered such as mixed ground and cobbly ground. Thus, in this study, using MIDAS GTS NX (Ver. 280), a numerical analysis was performed on characteristics of difficult ground, reinforced area, depth of cover and groundwater level to analyze the optimal ground reinforced area according to combination of parameters. As a result, it was difficult to secure stability in unconstrained excavation cases on both the mixed ground and the cobbly ground. However, when ground reinforcement grouting as much as 2.0D is applied, convergence occurred within the allowable limit, except for mixed ground with a depth of cover 30 m. In addition, excessive leakage occurred during excavation of both the mixed ground and the cobbly layers. It was able to secure stability after applying waterproof grouting.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.39-47
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• 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 Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.281-301
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• 2024

The power cable tunnels which are part of the underground transmission line project, are constructed using the shield TBM method. The disc cutter among the shield TBM components plays an important role in breaking rock mass. Efficient tunnel construction is possible only when appropriate replacement occurs as the wear limit is reached or damage such as uneven wear occurs. A study was conducted to determine the wear conditions of disc cutter using a deep learning algorithm based on real-time measurement data of wear and rotation speed. Based on the results of full-scaled tunnelling tests, it was confirmed that measurement data was obtained differently depending on the wear conditions of disc cutter. Using real-time measurement data, an algorithm was developed to determine disc cutter wear characteristics based on a convolutional neural network model. Distributional patterns of data can be learned through CNN filters, and the performance of the model that can classify uniform wear and uneven wear through these pattern features.