Tunnel Construction - Google Docs 535
Tunnel Construction - Google Docs 535
Introduction to Tunnels
Tunnels are underground passages used for various purposes such as transportation (railways,
roads), water supply, sewage, and utilities. Their construction involves various methods and
technologies, each suited to specific geological conditions and project requirements.
1. Cut-and-Cover Tunnels
○ Characteristics:
■ Built by excavating a trench, constructing the tunnel, and then covering it
with backfill.
■ Suitable for shallow depths.
○ Advantages:
■ Cost-effective for shallow tunnels.
■ Allows for larger cross-sectional areas.
○ Disadvantages:
■ Significant surface disruption.
■ Not suitable for deep tunnels.
2. Bored Tunnels
○ Characteristics:
■ Constructed using tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that excavate the
tunnel through the ground.
■ Suitable for a variety of soils and rock conditions.
○ Advantages:
■ Minimal surface disruption.
■ Higher construction speed in uniform ground conditions.
○ Disadvantages:
■ High initial cost for TBM.
■ Limited to circular tunnel sections.
3. Drill and Blast Tunnels
○ Characteristics:
■ Involves drilling holes into the rock, filling them with explosives, and
blasting to create the tunnel.
■ Commonly used in hard rock conditions.
○ Advantages:
■ Flexible in terms of tunnel shape and size.
■ Cost-effective for short tunnels in hard rock.
○ Disadvantages:
■ Significant vibration and noise.
■ Requires extensive safety measures.
4. Immersed Tube Tunnels
○ Characteristics:
■ Consist of pre-fabricated tunnel sections sunk into a pre-dredged trench
and covered with backfill.
■ Commonly used for underwater crossings.
○ Advantages:
■ Suitable for wide, deep water bodies.
■ Allows for large cross-sectional areas.
○ Disadvantages:
■ Complex construction process.
■ High cost due to underwater work.
1. Temporary Support
○ Rock Bolts: Used to stabilize rock faces immediately after excavation.
○ Shotcrete: Sprayed concrete that provides immediate support.
○ Steel Ribs: Used in soft ground or where additional support is needed.
2. Permanent Lining
○ Cast-in-Place Concrete: Poured and cured in the tunnel, provides a strong and
durable lining.
○ Precast Concrete Segments: Assembled within the tunnel, commonly used with
TBMs.
○ Steel Lining: Used in high-pressure applications like water tunnels.
Groundwater Control
1. Sump Pumping
○ Characteristics:
■ Simple method involving the use of pumps to remove water from the
excavation site.
○ Advantages:
■ Cost-effective and simple to implement.
○ Disadvantages:
■ Suitable only for minor water inflows.
2. Wellpoint Systems
○ Characteristics:
■ Involves installing a series of wellpoints connected to a pump to lower the
groundwater level.
○ Advantages:
■ Effective for moderate groundwater control.
○ Disadvantages:
■ Requires continuous pumping and maintenance.
3. Ground Freezing
○ Characteristics:
■ Involves freezing the ground around the tunnel to create a solid barrier
against water ingress.
○ Advantages:
■ Provides a watertight barrier.
○ Disadvantages:
■ High initial cost and energy consumption.
1. Advantages:
○ Space Utilization: Efficient use of underground Tunnel Constructionspace in congested urban areas.
in Soft Rock
Description: The cut-and-cover method involves creating an open trench, building the tunnel within it, and then covering it
with soil or other materials. This technique is typically used for tunnels that cross the bottoms of rivers, bays, and other water
bodies.
Dredging a Trench:
Initial Phase: Construction begins by dredging a trench in the riverbed or ocean floor. This trench forms the base for the
tunnel.
Placement of Prefabricated Tube Sections:
• Prefabrication: Long sections of the tunnel, made of steel or concrete, are prefabricated. These sections are
sealed to prevent water ingress.
• Transport and Placement: The sealed tube sections are floated to the construction site and sunk into the
prepared trench.
Connecting and Sealing:
• Divers’ Role: Divers connect the tube sections underwater and remove the seals.
• Water Management: Any excess water inside the sections is pumped out to ensure the tunnel remains dry.
Covering and Backfilling:
• Final Steps: The entire tunnel is then covered with backfill material to keep it in place and provide additional
structural support.
Minimized Long-term Disruption: The trench is often covered with a temporary deck soon after excavation to restore
pedestrian and vehicular traffic, minimizing disruptions during construction.
Suitable for Shallow Excavations: This method is particularly advantageous for shallow tunnels and in areas where deep
excavation is not feasible.
Open-Cut Construction:
Open-Cut vs. Cut-and-Cover: While the cut-and-cover method involves covering the trench after the tunnel is built, open-cut
construction leaves the trench uncovered during tunnel construction.
Applicability: Open-cut construction is suitable for shallow excavations and areas without nearby properties, where the
disruption of an open trench is less of an issue.
Detailed Comparison:
Cut-and-Cover Method:
• Involves both excavation and covering of the trench.
• Provides immediate restoration of surface traffic with temporary decking.
• Prefabricated sections are used, making the underwater construction process faster and more efficient.
Open-Cut Construction:
• Leaves the trench open during the construction phase.
• Suitable for projects with minimal impact on surrounding areas.
• Typically used for shallower tunnels without the need for temporary surface restoration.
Overview:
Method: Jacked tunnel construction involves using hydraulic jacks to push specially made pipes or concrete boxes through
the ground behind a tunnel boring machine (TBM) or shield.
Application: This method is particularly useful for creating tunnels under existing structures such as roads or railways,
where surface disturbance must be minimized.
• Minimal Surface Impact: This method is ideal for constructing tunnels under sensitive areas without causing
surface disruption.
• Structural Support: The method provides excellent support for the tunnel, preventing collapse and ensuring
stability as the tunnel advances.
• Versatility: It can be used for various types of underground installations, including sewage pipes, utility conduits,
and transport tunnels.
Sequential Excavation Method (SEM) / New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM)
Overview:
Flexibility: Unlike Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) which excavate fixed, typically circular shapes, the Sequential Excavation Method
(SEM), also known as the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), allows for tunnels of various shapes and sizes. This makes it
especially useful in areas where the tunnel dimensions need to change, such as highway ramps and subway stations.
Excavation Process:
1. Mining Equipment:
• Tools Used: Equipment like backhoes and road headers are used to excavate the tunnels. This machinery is adaptable to
different shapes and sizes of tunnels.
2. Sequential Excavation:
• Stages: The tunnel is excavated in stages or sequences, which can be adjusted based on the ground conditions and the
tunnel design requirements.
• Flexibility: This sequential approach allows for adjustments to the excavation process, providing better control and safety.
Support Systems:
Advantages of SEM/NATM:
• Adaptability: Allows for tunnels of various shapes and sizes, making it suitable for complex tunnel systems.
• Flexibility in Excavation: The sequential approach can be adjusted to handle different ground conditions and structural
requirements.
• Safety: Provides immediate and adaptable support to the tunnel, reducing the risk of collapse and enhancing worker
safety.