• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2024

The development of shield-driven cross-river tunnels in China is witnessing a notable shift towards larger diameters, longer distances, and higher water pressures due to the more complex excavation environment. Complex geological formations, such as fault and karst cavities, pose significant construction risks. Real-time adjustment of shield tunneling parameters based on parameter prediction is the key to ensuring the safety and efficiency of shield tunneling. In this study, prediction models for the torque and thrust of the cutter plate of ultra-large diameter slurry shield TBMs is established based on integrated learning algorithms, by analyzing the real data of Heyan Road cross-river tunnel. The influence of geological complexities at the excavation face, substantial burial depth, and high water level on the slurry shield tunneling parameters are considered in the models. The results reveal that the predictive models established by applying Random Forest and AdaBoost algorithms exhibit strong agreement with actual data, which indicates that the good adaptability and predictive accuracy of these two models. The models proposed in this study can be applied in the real-time prediction and adaptive adjustment of the tunneling parameters for shield tunneling under complex geological conditions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2022

Complex geological conditions have a great influence on the mining of coalbed methane (CBM), which affects the extraction efficiency of CBM. This investigation analyzed the complicated geological conditions in the Liujia CBM block of Fuxin. A geological model of heterogeneities CBM reservoirs was established to study the influence of strike direction of igneous rocks and fault structures on horizontal well layout. Subsequently, the dual-porosity and dual-permeability mathematical model was established, which considers the dynamic changes of porosity and permeability caused by gas adsorption, desorption, pressure change. The results show that the production curve is in good agreement with the actual by considering gas seepage in matrix pores in the model. Complicated geological structures affect the pressure expansion of horizontal wells, especially, the closer to the fault structure, the more significant the effect, the slower the pressure drop, and the smaller the desorption area. When the wellbore extends to the fault, the pressure expansion is blocked by the fault and the productivity is reduced. In the study area, the optimal distance to the fault is 70 m. When the horizontal wellbore is perpendicular to the direction of coal seam igneous rock, the productivity is higher than that of parallel igneous rock, and the horizontal well bore should be perpendicular to the cleat direction. However, the well length is limited due to the dense distribution of igneous rocks in the Liujia CBM block. Therefore, the horizontal well pumping in the study area should be arranged along the direction of igneous rock and parallel plane cleats. It is found that the larger the area surrounded by igneous rock, the more favorable the productivity. In summary, the reasonable layout of horizontal wells should make full use of the advantages of igneous rock, faults and other complex geological conditions to achieve the goal of high and stable production.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.03b
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• pp.117-124
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• 2000

This paper presents the construction planning and the detail design of a 16.2 km long railroad tunnel in a mountainous area. Major design conditions for railroad are the single track, loop-typed alinement, and a maximum grade of 24.5$\textperthousand$. A underground station(double track) with a length of 1.1km is located in the middle of the line for train cross-passing. Tunnel is excavated in highly complex geological conditions including faulted areas, abandoned mine works areas, and various rock types such as sandstone, shale, limestone, and coal seam partly. Drilling and blasting method was adopted because it is more flexible than TBM(Tunnel Boring Machine) as a result of risk assessment for geological conditions in this area. Two working adits were planned to adjust the construction schedule and can be used for ventilation and maintenance in operation phase. New material and concept were introduced to the tunnel drain design. They are expected to improve tunnel drain condition and capability. Rational tunnel support design was tried to consider the various tunnel size and purpose and to use the geological investigation results.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.59-73
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• 2021

There frequently exists inadequacy regarding the number of boreholes installed along tunnel alignment. While geophysical imaging techniques are available for pre-tunnelling geological characterization, they aim to detect specific object (e.g., water body and karst cave). There remains great motivation for the industry to develop a real-time identification technology relating complex geological conditions with the existing tunnelling parameters. This study explores the potential for the use of machine learning-based data driven approaches to identify the change in geology during tunnel excavation. Further, the feasibility for machine learning-based anomaly detection approaches to detect the development of clayey clogging is also assessed. The results of an application of the machine learning-based approaches to Xi'an Metro line 4 are presented in this paper where two tunnels buried in the water-rich sandy soils at depths of 12-14 m are excavated using a 6.288 m diameter EPB shield machine. A reasonable agreement with the measurements verifies their applicability towards widening the application horizon of machine learning-based approaches.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.573-584
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• 2022

Water inrush may occur during seaside urban tunnel excavation. Various factors affect the water inrush, and the water inrush mechanism is complex. In this study, nine evaluation indices having potential effects on water inrush were analysed. Specifically, the geographic and geomorphic conditions, unfavourable geology, distance from the tunnel to sea, strength of the surrounding rock, groundwater level, tidal action, cyclical footage, grouting pressure, and grouting reinforced region were analysed. Furthermore, a two-step interval risk assessment method for water inrush management during seaside urban tunnel excavation was developed by a multi-index system and interval risk assessment comprised of an interval analytic hierarchy process, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, and relative superiority analysis. The novel assessment method was applied to the Haicang Tunnel successfully. A preliminary interval risk assessment method for water inrush was performed based on engineering geological conditions. As a result, the risk level fell into a risk level IV, which represents a section with high risk. Subsequently, a secondary interval risk assessment method was performed based on engineering geological conditions and construction conditions. The risk level of water inrush is reduced to a risk level II. The results agreed with the current tunnel situation, which verified the reliability of this approach.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.1616-1622
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• 2022

Selenium has been identified as an element of interest for the safety assessment of a deep geological repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel. In Canada, groundwaters at DGR depths in sedimentary rocks have been observed to have a high ionic strength. This paper examines the sorption behavior of Se(-II) onto illite, MX-80 bentonite, Queenston shale, and argillaceous limestone in Na-Ca-Cl solutions of varying ionic strength (0.1-6 mol/kgw (m)) and across a pH range of 4-9. Little ionic strength dependence for Se(-II) sorption onto all solids was observed except that sorption at high ionic strength (6 m) was generally slightly lower than sorption at low ionic strength (0.1 m). Illite and MX-80 exhibited the expected results for anion sorption, while shale and limestone exhibited more constant sorption across the pH range tested. A non-electrostatic surface complexation model successfully predicted sorption of Se(-II) onto illite and MX-80 using the formation of an inner-sphere surface complex and an outer-sphere surface complex. Optimized values for the formation reactions of these surface species were proposed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-24
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• 2018

The use of TBM (tunnel boring machine) gradually increases in worldwide tunneling projects. TBM machine are often applied to more difficult and complex geological conditions in urban area, and many problems and difficulties have been reported due to these geological conditions. However, in Korea, there is a lack of research on difficult grounds so far. This paper discussed general aspects of investigation method, and problems of TBM tunneling in difficult grounds. Construction cases that passed through the difficult grounds in worldwide were analyzed and the typical difficult grounds were classified into 11 cases. For each case, the definition and general problems were summarized. Particularly, for mixed ground and boulder ground, and fault zone, which are frequent geological conditions in urban area with shallow depth, classification system, investigation methods and major considerations were discussed, and proposed the direction of future research. This paper is a basic study for the development of TBM construction technology in difficult ground, and it is expected that it will be useful for related research and construction of TBM in difficult ground in the future.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2003.06b
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• pp.165-193
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• 2003

The Han River tunnel connecting Yoido and Mapo was constructed as a part of the Seoul subway line No.5, which is 52 km long, to improve the traffic conditions of Seoul. It is constructed 15.6∼30m below the river floor. It Is the first under-river tunnel in Korea with the length of 1,288m. Geological conditions of the ground under the Han River were more complex and irregular than expected at the design stage, because there were several faults, fracture zones and slickensided joints coated with graphite. It was thus indispensable to estimate the ground condition of the tunnel face to apply proper excavation and reinforcement methods. Advance borings and face mappings were performed before excavation to improve constructional efficiency and excavation stability.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.571-584
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• 2017

Slope mass rating (SMR) is commonly used for the geomechanical classification of rock masses in an attempt to evaluate the stability of slopes. SMR is calculated from the $RMR_{89-basic}$ (basic rock mass rating) and from the characteristic features of discontinuities, and may be applied to slope stability analysis as well as to slope support recommendations. This study attempts to utilize the SMR classification system for slope stability analysis and to investigate the engineering geological conditions of the slopes and the slope stability analysis of the Gas Flare site in phases 6, 7 and 8 of the South Pars Gas Complex in Assalouyeh, south of Iran. After studying a total of twelve slopes, the results of the SMR classification system indicated that three slope failure modes, namely, wedge, plane and mass failure were possible along the slopes. In addition, the stability analyses conducted by a number of computer programs indicated that three of the slopes were stable, three of the slopes were unstable and the remaining six slopes were categorized as 'needs attention'classes.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.531-546
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• 2022

Ground displacements caused by the construction of overlapping twin shield tunnels with small turning radius are complex, especially under special geological conditions of construction. To investigate the ground displacements caused due to shield machines in the unique calcareous sand layers in Israel for the first time and determine the main factors affecting the ground displacements, field monitoring, laboratory geological analysis, theoretical calculations, and parameter studies were adopted. By using rod extensometers, inclinometers, total stations, and automatic segment-displacement monitors, subsurface tunneling-induced displacement, surface settlement, and displacement of the down-track tunnel segments caused by the construction of an up-track tunnel were analyzed. The up-track tunnel and the down-track tunnel pass through different stratum, resulting in different construction parameters and ground displacements. The laws of variation of thrust and torque, soil pressure in the chamber, excavated soil quantity, synchronous grouting pressure, and grout volume of the two tunnels from parallel to fully overlapping orientations were compared. The thrust and torque of the shield in the fine sand are larger than those in the Kurkar layer, and the grouting amount in fine sand is unstable. According to fuzzy statistics and Gaussian curve fitting of the shield tunneling speed, the tunneling speed in the Kurkar stratum is twice that in the fine-sand stratum.