• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.93-104
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• 2019

Anomalies and/or fractured grounds not detected by the surface geophysical and geological survey performed during design stage may cause significant problems during tunnel excavation. Many studies on prediction methods of the ground condition ahead of the tunnel face have been conducted and applied in tunneling construction sites, such as tunnel seismic profiling and probe drilling. However, most such applications have focused on the drill and blast tunneling method. Few studies have been conducted for mechanized tunneling because of the limitation in the available space to perform prediction tests. This study aims to predict the ground condition ahead of the tunnel face in TBM tunneling by using an electrical resistivity tomography survey. It compared the characteristics of each electrode array and performed an investigation on in-situ tunnel boring machine TBM construction site environments. Numerical simulations for each electrode array were performed, to determine the proper electrode array to predict anomalies ahead of the tunnel face. The results showed that the modified dipole-dipole array is, compared to other arrays, the best for predicting the location and condition of an anomaly. As the borehole becomes longer, the measured data increase accordingly. Therefore, longer boreholes allow a more accurate prediction of the location and status of anomalies and complex grounds.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2019

A case study of monitoring and analysis of surface settlement induced by tunneling of Tabriz metro line 2 (TML2) is presented in this paper. The TML2 single tunnel has been excavated using earth pressure balanced TBM with a cutting-wheel diameter of 9.49 m since 2015. Presented measurements of surface settlements, were collected during the construction of western part of the project (between west depot and S02 station) where the tunnel was being excavated in sand and silt, below the water table and at an average axis depth of about 16 m. Settlement readings were back-analyzed using Gaussian formula, both in longitudinal and transversal directions, in order to estimate volume loss and settlement trough width factor. In addition to settlements, face support and tail grouting pressures were monitored, providing a comprehensive description of the EPB performance. Using the gap model, volume loss prediction was carried out. Also, COB empirical method for determination of the face pressure was employed in order to compare with field monitored data. Likewise, FE simulation was used in various sections employing the code Simulia ABAQUS, to investigate the efficiency of numerical modelling for the estimating of the tunneling induced-surface settlements under such a geotechnical condition. In this regard, the main aspects of a mechanized excavation were simulated. For the studied sections, numerical simulation is not capable of reproducing the high values of in-situ-measured surface settlements, applying Mohr-Coulomb constitutive law for soil. Based on results, for the mentioned case study, the range of estimated volume loss mostly varies from 0.2% to 0.7%, having an average value of 0.45%.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.215-224
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• 2019

Excavation of long tunnels by shielded TBMs is a safe, fast, and efficient method of tunneling that mitigates many risks related to ground conditions. However, long-distance tunneling in great depth through adverse geological conditions brings about limitations in the application of TBMs. Among various harsh geological conditions, squeezing ground as a consequence of tunnel wall and face convergence could lead to cluttered blocking, shield jamming and in some cases failure in the support system. These issues or a combination of them could seriously hinder the performance of TBMs. The technique of excavation has a strong influence on the tunnel response when it is excavated under squeezing conditions. The Golab water conveyance tunnel was excavated by a double-shield TBM. This tunnel passes mainly through metamorphic weak rocks with up to 650 m overburden. These metamorphic rocks (Shales, Slates, Phyllites and Schists) together with some fault zones are incapable of sustaining high tangential stresses. Prediction of the convergence, estimation of the creeping effects and presenting strategies to overcome the squeezing ground are regarded as challenging tasks for the tunneling engineer. In this paper, the squeezing potential of the rock mass is investigated in specific regions by dint of numerical and analytical methods. Subsequently, several operational solutions which were conducted to counteract the challenges are explained in detail.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.475-484
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• 2020

The prediction of the ground conditions ahead of a tunnel face is very important, especially for tunnel boring machine (TBM) tunneling, because encountering unexpected anomalies during tunnel excavation can cause a considerable loss of time and money. Several prediction techniques, such as BEAM, TSP, and GPR, have been suggested. However, these methods have various shortcomings, such as low accuracy and low resolution. Most studies on electrical resistivity tomography surveys have been conducted using numerical simulation programs, but laboratory experiments were just a few. Furthermore, most studies of scaled model tests on electrical resistivity tomography were conducted only on the ground surface, which is a different environment as compared to that of mechanized tunneling. This study performed a laboratory experimental test to extend and verify a prediction method proposed by Lee et al., which used electrical resistivity tomography to predict the ground conditions ahead of a tunnel face in TBM tunneling environments. The results showed that the modified dipole-dipole array is better than the other arrays in terms of predicting the location and shape of the anomalies ahead of the tunnel face. Having longer upper and lower borehole lengths led to better accuracy of the survey. However, the number and length of boreholes should be properly controlled according to the field environments in practice. Finally, a modified and verified technique to predict the ground conditions ahead of a tunnel face during TBM tunneling is proposed.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.64-76
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• 2008

Bulk Emulsion blasts using mechanized charging system, which is generally used in foreign countries, have recently introduced and gradually increased in Korea. The Bulk Emulsion are safe and able to increase the charging density for improvement of fragmentation and advancement especially in tunneling, and minimizing environmental problem. Because of less toxic gas generation, the explosives are called, namely ech-friendly products. There are two kinds of Bulk Emulsion; one is for open cut and the other is for tunneling. According to features of blast sites and its purpose, the compositions are different, but the principle is the same. In this study, trial blasts using Bulk Emulsion for tunneling had executed at 10 sites in Korea. The major result of the major job-sites is the following. First of all, compared with cartridge explosive, Bulk Emulsion was able to increase its charging density up to $35{\sim}60%$, to decrease the blast holes to approximately $10{\sim}30%$ down, and the advancement was improved up to $8{\sim}20%$ and also 30% up in its fragmentation. Toxic gas production after cartridge blasting showed 34.44ppm of its CO. Bulk Emulsion, however, showed 20.13ppm, which was 58.45% production of the cartridge explosive, and NOx was below 2ppm. The mechanized charging system of Bulk Emulsion should be applied to large sized tunnel blasting, long advanced tunnel which can secure the advancement of over $4{\sim}5m$, and the sites required finishing rapidly.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.223-241
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• 2024

Evaluating the performance of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) stands as a pivotal juncture in the domain of hard rock mechanized tunneling, essential for achieving both a dependable construction timeline and utilization rate. In this investigation, three advanced artificial neural networks namely, gated recurrent unit (GRU), back propagation neural network (BPNN), and simple recurrent neural network (SRNN) were crafted to prognosticate TBM-rate of penetration (ROP). Drawing from a dataset comprising 1125 data points amassed during the construction of the Alborze Service Tunnel, the study commenced. Initially, five geomechanical parameters were scrutinized for their impact on TBM-ROP efficiency. Subsequent statistical analyses narrowed down the effective parameters to three, including uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), peak slope index (PSI), and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS). Among the methodologies employed, GRU emerged as the most robust model, demonstrating exceptional predictive prowess for TBM-ROP with staggering accuracy metrics on the testing subset (R² = 0.87, NRMSE = 6.76E-04, MAD = 2.85E-05). The proposed models present viable solutions for analogous ground and TBM tunneling scenarios, particularly beneficial in routes predominantly composed of volcanic and sedimentary rock formations. Leveraging forecasted parameters holds the promise of enhancing both machine efficiency and construction safety within TBM tunneling endeavors.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.503-512
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• 2023

In tunneling projects, a significant part of the costs is spent on segment production. By more economically producing, the cost of tunnel construction can be greatly reduced, especially in long and large-diameter tunnels. In the present study, the effect of using the Carousel method in the improvement of the production system performance compared to the conventional Static system has been studied. To carry out the research, a quantitative comparison of cost and production time was carried out for two production methods using the available documentation. The opinions of experts have been obtained using questionnaires and qualitative comparison of cost, time and production quality was done by implementation of statistical analysis. The SPSS software and the univariate t-test were used to analyze the questionnaires. According to the results of statistical analysis with SPSS, the use of the Carousel method will reduce production time and costs along with increasing manufacturing quality. According to the documentation analysis, the Carousel method reduces the cost of production by almost 30% and leads to a reduction of the production time to approximately 40% of the Static moulds system. The Carousel method has a higher production rate, efficiency, and better performance. Research into quantifying the benefits of Carousel method in the production system performance is very limited. This comparison is based on real information from the under construction Tabriz Metro project. This article can be very helpful in choosing the best production method.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.281-302
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• 2021

Railway projects have been consistently increasing in Korea. In relation to this trend, the mechanized tunneling using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is preferably applied for mining urban areas and passing under rivers. The TBM tunneling under difficult grounds like mixed faces with high water pressure could require ground improvements for stable TBM advance or safe cutter head intervention (CHI). In this study, pre-grouting works for CHI in Daegok-Sosa railway project are presented in terms of the grouting zone design, the executions and the results, the lessons learned from the experience. It should be mentioned that the grouting from inside TBM was carried out several times and turned out to be inefficient in the project. Therefore, grouting experiences from the surface are highlighted in this study. Jet grouting was implemented on CHI points on land, while permeation grouting off shore in the Han River, which mostly allow to access the cutter head of TBM in free air with stable faces. The results of CHI works have been analyzed and the lesson learned are suggested.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.295-308
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• 2018

The excavation of twin tunnels is a process that destabilizes the ground. The stability of the tunnel lining, the control of ground displacements around the tunnel resulting from each excavation and the interaction between them must be controlled. This paper provides a new approach for replacing the costly 3D analyses with the equivalent 2D analyses that closely reflects the in-situ measurements when excavating twin tunnels. The modeling was performed in two dimensions using the FLAC2D finite difference code. The three-dimensional effect of excavation is taken into account through the deconfinement rate ${\lambda}$ of the soil surrounding the excavation by applying the convergence-confinement method. A comparison between settlements derived by the proposed 2D analysis and the settlements measured in a real project in Algeria shows an acceptable agreement. Also, this paper reports the investigation into the changes in deformations on tunnel linings and surface settlements which may be expected if the twin tunnels of T4 El-Harouche Skikda were constructed with a tunneling machine. Special attention was paid to the influence of the excavation phase shift distance between the two mechanized tunnel faces. It is revealed that the ground movements and the lining deformations during tunnel excavation depend on the distance between the tunnels' axis and the excavation phase shift.

• 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.