• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.931-938
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• 2006

Using high resolution stereoscopic imaging system three digital elevation model of tunnel face is acquired. The images oriented within a given tunnel coordinate system are brought into a stereoscopic vision system enabling three dimensional inspection and evaluation. The possibilities for the prediction ahead and outside of tunnel face have been improved by the digital vision system with 3D model. Interpolated image structures of rock mass between subsequent stereo images will enable to model the rock mass surrounding the opening within a short time at site. The models shall be used as input to numerical simulations on site, comparison of expected and encountered geological conditions, and for the interpretation of geotechnical monitoring results.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 1995

In this paper the stress redistribution around tunnel face was analyzed by using a three-dimensional finite element model. The effects of in-situ stress levels, excavation sequences, stiffness difference between the hard ground and the weak zone on the stress redistributions were considered. Displacement and stress changes at tunnel crown, side wall, and invert were investigated throughout the sequential excavation. To show ground response, percentage of the displacement and stress variations are used as a function of normalized distance that is between the face and monitoring section. Preceding displacements and stress variations were presented to be adopted in the two-dimensional tunnel analysis.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.255-261
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• 2003

Tunnelling in poor and heterogeneous ground is a difficult task. Even with a good geological investigation, uncertainties with respect to the local rock mass structure will remain. Especially for such conditions, a reliable short-term prediction of the conditions ahead and outside the tunnel profile are of paramount importance for the choice of appropriate excavation and support methods. The information contained in the absolute displacement monitoring data allows a comprehensive evaluation of the displacements and the determination of the behaviour and influence of an anisotropic rock mass. Case histories and with numerical simulations show, that changes in the displacement vector orientation can indicate changing rock mass conditions ahead of the tunnel face (Schubert & Budil 1995, Steindorfer & Schubert 1997). Further research has been conducted to quantify the influence of weak zones on stresses and displacements (Grossauer 2001). Sellner (2000) developed software, which allows predicting displacements (GeoFit$\circledR$). The function parameters describe the time and advance dependent deformation of a tunnel. Routinely applying this method at each measuring section allows determining trends of those parameters. It shows, that the trends of parameter sets indicate changes in the stiffness of the rock mass outside the tunnel in a similar way, as the displacement vector orientation does. Three-dimensional Finite Element simulations of different weakness zone properties, thicknesses, and orientations relative to the tunnel axis were carried out and the function parameters evaluated from the results. The results are compared to monitoring results from alpine tunnels in heterogeneous rock. The good qualitative correlation between trends observed on site and numerical results gives hope that by a routine determination of the function parameters during excavation the prediction of rock mass conditions ahead of the tunnel face can be improved. Implementing the rules developed from experience and simulations into the monitoring data evaluation program allows to automatically issuing information on the expected rock mass quality ahead of the tunnel.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.268-278
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• 2015

Background: This study aimed to assess the whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure among large blast hole drill machine operators with regard to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recommended threshold values and its association with machine- and rock-related factors and workers' individual characteristics. Methods: The study population included 28 drill machine operators who had worked in four opencast iron ore mines in eastern India. The study protocol comprised the following: measurements of WBV exposure [frequency weighted root mean square (RMS) acceleration ($m/s^2$)], machine-related data (manufacturer of machine, age of machine, seat height, thickness, and rest height) collected from mine management offices, measurements of rock hardness, uniaxial compressive strength and density, and workers' characteristics via face-to-face interviews. Results: More than 90% of the operators were exposed to a higher level WBV than the ISO upper limit and only 3.6% between the lower and upper limits, mainly in the vertical axis. Bivariate correlations revealed that potential predictors of total WBV exposure were: machine manufacturer (r = 0.453, p = 0.015), age of drill (r = 0.533, p = 0.003), and hardness of rock (r = 0.561, p = 0.002). The stepwise multiple regression model revealed that the potential predictors are age of operator (regression coefficient ${\beta}=-0.052$, standard error SE = 0.023), manufacturer (${\beta}=1.093$, SE = 0.227), rock hardness (${\beta}=0.045$, SE = 0.018), uniaxial compressive strength (${\beta}=0.027$, SE = 0.009), and density (${\beta}=-1.135$, SE = 0.235). Conclusion: Prevention should include using appropriate machines to handle rock hardness, rock uniaxial compressive strength and density, and seat improvement using ergonomic approaches such as including a suspension system.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 1998

This paper presents the results of deformation measurement and numerical analysis carried out to study the behaviour of the rock mass around large underground oil storage caverns. Displacements during excavation have been monitored using borehole extensometers which had been installed before the excavation of caverns proceeded. Numerical analysis has been carried out to examine the three-dimensional behaviour of rock and the face advance effect. The input parameters for this analysis were determined from the results of laboratory and field tests. The deformation modulus of the rock mass was determined from plate loading test at the site and in-situ stresses were measured from the overcoring method with USBM deformation gauge. The results from this study gave a clear picture for three-dimensional behaviour of the rock mass, hence would be used for the optimum design.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.451-468
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• 2021

Predicting hazardous ground conditions ahead of a TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunnel face is essential for efficient and stable TBM advance. Although there have been several studies on the electrical resistivity survey method for TBM tunnelling, sufficient experimental data considering TBM advance were not established yet. Therefore, in this study, the laboratory-scale model experiments for simulating TBM excavation were carried out to analyze the applicability of an electrical resistivity survey for predicting hazardous ground conditions ahead of a TBM tunnel face. The trend of electrical resistivity during TBM advance was experimentally evaluated under various hazardous ground conditions (fault zone, seawater intruded zone, soil to rock transition zone, and rock to soil transition zone) ahead of a tunnel face. In the course of the experiments, a scale-down rock ground was provided using granite blocks to simulate the rock TBM tunnelling. Based on the experimental data, the electrical resistivity tends to decrease as the tunnel approaches the fault zone. While the seawater intruded zone follows a similar trend with the fault zone, the resistivity value of the seawater intrude zone decreased significantly compared to that of the fault zone. In case of the soil-to-rock transition zone, the electrical resistivity increases as the TBM approaches the rock with relatively high electrical resistivity. Conversely, in case of the rock-to-soil transition zone, the opposite trend was observed. That is, electrical resistivity decreases as the tunnel face approaches the rock with relatively low electrical resistivity. The experiment results represent that hazardous ground conditions (fault zone, seawater intruded zone, soil-to-rock transition zone, rock-to-soil transition zone) can be efficiently predicted by utilizing an electrical resistivity survey during TBM tunnelling.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.366-374
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• 2008

Tunnelling under water table induces many geotechnical problems because of groundwater. In subsea tunneling, reduction of face stability can induce flooding in the vicinity of a fracture zone characterized by high permeability and high water pressure. In this study, the effects of high water pressure on the stability of a tunnel face in a limited zone with high permeability(hazardous zone) are analyzed. On the basis of the 'advance core' concept, the seepage force acting on a hypothetical cylinder ahead of a tunnel face is modeled. This study focuses on the hydraulic behavior of the ground ahead of the tunnel face by three-dimensional steady-state seepage analyses. The impact of the hazardous zone on the seepage force and stability of the tunnel face are simulated and analyzed. In light of the analysis results, it is estimated that the distance from the tunnel face to the exterior boundary limit, which the seepage force significantly affects the stability of the tunnel face, of a hypothetical cylinder is approximately 5 times the tunnel radii. Despite the restrictive assumptions of this study, the results are highly indicative regarding the risks of hazardous zones.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.279-286
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• 2003

Many trials to set up the correlation between the rock mass classification and the earth resistivity have been carried out to design tunnel support type based on the interpreted electrical resistivity acquired by surface electrical survey. But it is hard to find reports on the comparison of the real rock support type determined during the excavation with the electrical resistivity by the inversion of the survey data acquired before the tunneling. In this study, the rock mass classification based on the face mapping data and the resistivity inversion data are investigated to see if it is possible to design reliably the rock support type based on the surface electrical survey. To get the quantitative correlation, rock engineering indices such as RCR(rock condition rating), N(Rock mass number), Q-system and RMR(rock mass rating) are calculated. Since resistivity data has low resolution, Kriging method as a post processing technique which minimizes the estimated variance is used to improve resolution. The result of correlation analysis shows that the 2D electrical resistivity survey is appropriate to see the general trend of the geology in the sense of rock type, though there might be some local area where these two factors do not coincide. But the correlation between the result of 3D survey and the rock mass classification turns out to be very high, and then 3D electrical resistivity survey can make it possible to set up more reliable rock support type.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 1993

In order to evaluate the necessity for the support during the excavation of the transport drift and use the data for design applications, laboratory testings of mechanical properties of rock samples and engineering rock mass classifications on this study site were performed. The values of RMR and Q-system are 68 and 11.8, respectively. Since these results were evaluated as good, this rock mass were determined to be unsupported. Full face excavation method was determined to be suitable for excavating this drift. In case of excavation, smooth blasting techniques must be carried out at the wall rock and the crown. However, considering the blast vibration etc. that have an effect on the surrounding rock mass, approximately less than 9kg of explosive charges per blast should be maintained.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2007

The drill monitoring data are useful for the detection of abrupt and unexpected changes in ground renditions. This paper introduces a new approach to how drill performance parameters can be used for the prediction of quantitative rock mass properties ahead of tunnel face and the blasting design. The drill monitoring parameters available for the predictions include the instantaneous advance speed, thrust force, torque, tool pressure and penetration rate. The assessment of the drill monitoring parameters will be able to build a database provided that in-situ drill monitoring informations are accumulated and enable us to make a reasonable blast design based on quantitative assessment of rock mass.