• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.323-339
• /
• 2024

If the pressure exerted on the face of a tunnel excavated by TBM exceeds a threshold, it leads to failure of the soil or rock masses ahead of the tunnel face, which results in heaving the ground surface. In the current research, the upper bound method of limit analysis was employed to calculate the blow-out pressure of tunnels excavated in rock masses obeying the Hoek-Brown nonlinear criterion. The results of the proposed method were compared with three-dimensional finite element models, as well as the available methods in the literature. The results show that when σ_ci, m_i, and GSI increase, the blow-out pressure increases as well. By doubling the tunnel diameter, the blow-out pressure reduces up to 54.6%. Also, by doubling the height of the tunnel cover and the surcharge pressure exerted on the ground surface above the tunnel, the blow-out pressure increased up to 74.9% and 5.4%, respectively. With 35% increase in the unit weight of the rock mass surrounding the tunnel, the blow-out pressure increases in the range of 14.8% to 19.6%. The results of the present study were provided in simple design graphs that can easily be used in practical applications in order to obtain the blow-out pressure.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.267-273
• /
• 1997

Rock fragmentation with plasma blasting technique has advantageous properties in contrast to the conventional blasting method in controlling of flying rocks and ground vibrations, when residents are complaining or surrounding structures stay in protection from blasting operations. The experiences show in urban construction works that the plasma blasting is the most possible method to prevent damages and minimize adverse environmnetal impacts. The fragmentation energy level is evaluated by numerical simulation using PFC-2D for various drill hole pattern and tested accordingly to get the feasibility. The energy output of plasma blasting system has been improved to a level of 1 MJ, which can break a 2~3 ㎥ granite boulder or 1.5 m height bench face. Measurements are carried out to get the ground vibration level and propagation equation, so that the control of the blasting operations can be performed more precisely and safely.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.339-343
• /
• 2001

Shield tunnel having circular section located in the soil or soft rock layer is liable to deform in such a way that its two diagonal diameters crossing each other expand and contract alternately during earthquakes. Based on this knowledge, the ground-tunnel interaction effect for this particular vibration mode is investigated. The ground surrounding a tunnel is assumed to be a homogeneous elastic medium. The bonded boundary condition on the ground-tunnel interface is considered. This suggests a firm bond between the ground and the tunnel lining. As Poisson's ratio and stiffness of the ground increases, the strain induced within the tunnel lining increases.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 2000.10a
• /
• pp.281-288
• /
• 2000

Three-dimensional dynamic analysis of underground openings subjected to explosive loadings considering the effects of water saturation is carried out in this study. The problem considered in this study is an unlined circular tunnel subjected to a finite cylindrical charge placed at the center of the proposed tunnel. The surrounding rock mass is assumed to be the limestone with 13.5% of porosity. Two calculations are compared using an identical explosive charge; the first in dry rock of 13.5% porosity, the second in the identical rock, but in a fully saturated condition. It is shown that underground openings in saturated porous medium could be significantly more vulnerable to the potential damages associated with high motions and shear failure than those in dry medium.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.335-341
• /
• 1996

This fundamental study analyzes the relationship between rock thermal properties and psychrometric properties in underground space and has a ultimate goal to develope technologies for predicting major environmental variables. The study is divided into 2 subjects (1) developement of a basic model for predicting temperature and humidity, (2) analysis of the validity of the model through application to a local underground storage space for military supplies. The basic model is built for the network of tunnel-shaped underground spaces. The model takes into account rock thermal properties and changes in moisture content in the air due to condensation/evaporation on the rock surface. Using lumped-parameter analytical method, heat flux from or to the surrounding rock is calculated and then the psychrometric properties(air quantity, pressure, temperature, humidity) are estimated through network simulation. The model can be utilized regardless of the tunnel type. The study site is a local storage space built in rock, mainly granite gneiss and quartz-porphyry. It is a U-shaped tunnel, 593.5m long and 6x6.5m wide. Relative humidity inside has to be strictly controlled under 55% to avoid erosion of a certain types of supplies stored in 6 chambers with the capacity of 300~1.000 ton. The thermal conductivity varies between 2.734 and 2.779W/m$^{\circ}C$ and the thermal diffusivity is in the range of 1.119 and $1.152{\times}10^{-6}\;m^2/s$ the specific heat between 910 and $920\;J/kg^{\circ}C$. Relative errors of the predicted values of dry/wet temperature and relative humidity are 0.8~3.0%, 0~7.5% and 0~7.0%, respectively. Apparent errors associated with the rock surface temperature seems to be partly due to the intrinsic limitations in the infrared thermometer used in this study.

• Explosives and Blasting
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.10-16
• /
• 2016

Recently, transition from open pit to underground mining in limestone mines is an increasing trend in Korea due to environmental issues such as noise, dust and vibrations caused by crushers and equipment. The severe damages in the surrounding rock mass of underground opening caused by explosive blasting may lead to rock fall hazards or casualties. It is well known that variables which mainly affect blast-induced rock falls in underground mining are: blast vibration level, joint orientation and distribution and shape of the cross sections of underground structures. In this study, UDEC program, which is a DEM code, is used to simulate blast vibration-induced rock fall in underground openings. Variation of joint space, joint angle and joint normal stiffness was considered to investigate the effect of joint characteristics on the blast vibration-induced rock fall in underground opening. Finally, jointed rock mass models considering blast-induced damage zone were examined to simulate the critical blast vibration value which may cause rock falls in underground opening.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.260-266
• /
• 2010

In this study, wish to analyze effect that affect on each tunnel (right and left tunnel) according as proceeding of leading tunnel (right tunnel), following tunnel (left tunnel) and pilot tunnel excavation through behavior of tunnel and surrounding base by model tests. And stress-transfer mechanism that occurs from in-situ loosing area and arching effect by difference of stiffness ratio and overburden heights were verified experimentally. The model tests were carried out by varying the stiffness of reinforced area and overburden height, measured deformation of tunnel and displacement of surrounding base. The model tests followed exactly the real 2-Arch tunnel construction stages.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.555-563
• /
• 2024

The reasonable setting of coal pillar width plays a key role in guaranteeing the steadiness of surrounding rock of fully mechanized caving gateroad driving along the next goaf. Based on the engineering background of the Bayangaole mine, the discrete element method was used to simulate the fracture evolution of coal pillars with different pillar widths. The results show that the damage rate of the coal pillar increases with the decrease in the width of the coal pillar. Once the coal pillar width is smaller than 6 m, cracks run through the coal pillar, and the coal pillar is completely damaged. In the middle of the coal pillar, which has a width of 6 m and above, there is a relatively complete area with low damage. The results show that the pillar width of 6 m is the most appropriate. Field tests prove that the reserved width of a 6 m small coal pillar can effectively control the surrounding rock deformation, ensuring the overall steadiness of the gateroad in the thick coal seam. It is hoped that this study will offer some reference for the determination of the reasonable size of the coal pillar.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.16 no.1 s.60
• /
• pp.11-25
• /
• 2006

The world's largest nucleon decay experiment facility is constructed at a depth of approximately 1,000 meters, in the Kamio Mine, Japan. The excavated cavern is consisted of a cylinder of 42.4 m high and a semi elliptical dome of 15.2 m high, with a bottom diameter of 40 m. The total excavation volume is approximately $69,000\;m^3$. Because of the character as a large cavern excavation in deep underground, there is many unknown factors in rock mechanics. Based on the results of rock test and numerical analysis, the monitoring of rock mass behavior accompanying progress of construction was performed by various instruments installed in the rock mass surrounding the cavern. The monitoring data was used in the study of measures for cavern stability.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.523-532
• /
• 2021

The treatment of acid rock drainage was reviewed and evaluated for the case of pyrite rocks distributed in a highway embankment. During the highway's construction, neutralization using alkaline water repellent was applied to the embankment section to prevent acid rock drainage. However, it still occurred long after the construction was completed owing to rain infiltration, and the acid rock drainage polluted the surrounding soils and streams. To solve this problem, treatment facilities such as SAPS (Successive Alkalinity Producing Systems) or ecological wetlands and sand filtration were installed. After the installation of the treatment facilities, the effluent and soils contaminated by acid rock drainage nearby the outlet of the facilities were analyzed and evaluated for a period of years. Measurements of the pH of the effluent and analysis of the heavy metal contamination of the soils confirmed that the neutralization treatment for acid rock drainage is being performed properly and that contamination of heavy metals in the acid rock drainage is also being stably controlled by the treatment facilities.