International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 2016

Vol. 1, Issue 8, ISSN No. 2455-2143, Pages 281-282

Published Online June - July 2016 in IJEAST (http://www.ijeast.com)

PROBLEMS FACED IN TUNNELLING

Rakhi Arora Ujjwal Dagar
Civil Engineering Dept Civil Engineering Dept.
Delhi Technological University Delhi Technological University
Delhi, India Delhi, India

Abstract - Metro projects have gained significance in the Where ϭ՛ 1 and ϭ՛ 3 are the maximum and minimum
past decade, and hence a study of the EIA parameters effective stresses at failure respectively
was conducted at the Jahangirpuri-Badli extension line
of the phase 3 network, with testing of noise levels, TDS, mb is the value of Hoek Brown constant m for the rock
TSS and chlorides of the samples collected from the mass s and a are constants which depend upon the
Azadpur station underground construction. This paper characteristics of the rock mass, and ϭci is the uniaxial
also focuses on the problems associated with tunnelling compressive strength of the intact rock pieces.
in difficult grounds. One such situation has arisen in
Azadpur phase three extension where bed rock was Geological strength index
found instead of the assumed soil strata. Furthermore,
the same site that we visited also faced the perilous The strength of a jointed Rock mass depends on the
condition of quicksand. A study was carried out. properties of the intact rock pieces and also upon the
freedom of these pieces to slide and rotate under different
Keywords - Metro, tunneling, running sand, grouting, rock stress conditions. This freedom is controlled by the
quality designation index geometrical shape of the intact rock pieces as well as the
conditions of the surfaces separating the pieces. Angular
I. STRENGTH ESTIMATION OF ROCKS Rock pieces with clean, rough discontinuity surfaces will
AND PROBLEMS FACED IN result in much stronger Rock mass than one which contains
rounded particles surrounded by weathered and altered
TUNNELLING
material. The geological strength index (GSI), introduced
Tunnels are dug in types of materials varying from soft by Hoek, Kaiser and Bowden provides a system for
clay to hard rock. The method of tunnel construction estimating the reduction in rock mass strength for different
depends on such factors as the ground conditions, the geological conditions.
ground water conditions, the length and diameter of the
Once the geological strength index has been estimated, the
tunnel drive, the depth of the tunnel, the logistics of
parameters which describe the rock mass transfer
supporting the tunnel excavation, the final use and shape of
characteristics, are calculated as follows;
the tunnel and appropriate risk management.
There are three basic types of tunnel construction in Mb=miexp(GSI-100)/28 (6)
common use: For GSI greater than 25 that is rock masses of good to
1. Cut-and-cover tunnel, constructed in a shallow reasonable quality, the original Hoek brown criteria is
trench and then covered over. applicable with
2. Bored tunnel, constructed in situ, without s = exp[(GSI-100)/9] (7)
removing the ground above. They are usually of
circular or horseshoe cross-section. And a=0.5 (8)
3. Immersed tube tunnel, sunk into a body of water
and laid on or buried just under its bed. For GSI less than 25 that is rock masses of very poor
quality the modified Hoek Brown criteria applies with
In the first stage the geological investigation is done and
the rock mass strength is computed which helps in the s = 0 (9)
design of cutter head. And a = 0.65-(GSI/200) (10)
1. Practical estimation of rock mass strength Rock quality designation index (RQD)
2. Generalised Hoek Brown criteria
The Rock quality designation index (RQD) was developed
The generalized Hoek Brown failure criteria for jointed by Deere to provide a quantitative estimate of Rock mass
Rock masses are defined by: quality from drill core logs. - RQD is defined as the
percentage of intact core pieces longer than 100 mm (4
ϭ՛ 1= ϭ՛ 3 + ϭci {mb (ϭ՛ 3/ ϭci) +s}a (1)
inches) in the total length of core. RQD is directly

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 International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 2016
Vol. 1, Issue 8, ISSN No. 2455-2143, Pages 281-282
Published Online June - July 2016 in IJEAST (http://www.ijeast.com)

dependent parameter and its value may change effect of tunnelling in swelling clay or chemically active
significantly, depending upon the bore hole orientation. materials.
RQD is intended to represent the rock mass quality in situ.
Obstacles and constraints:
RQD= [(∑Length of Core Pieces>10 cm)/Total
Length of Core] *100 Boulder beds in association with running silt and caverns
in limestone are examples of natural obstacles. In urban
areas, abandoned foundations and piles present man- made
6.3 Rock tunnelling quality index, Q obstructions.
On the basis of an evaluation of a large number of case
histories of underground excavations, Bartan et al.(1974), II. A CASE STUDY
of the Norweigian Geotechnical Institute proposed a At Azadpur ,Delhi ,during the third phase metro
Tunnelling Quality Index (Q) for the determination of rock construction , a slurry shield was to be used for a tunnel
mass characteristics and tunnel Support requirements. The originally expected to be in soil but later on boulders and a
numerical value of the index Q varies on a logarithmic bed of hard rocks was encountered in a span of 10 meters
scale from 0.001 to a maximum of 1000 and is defined by stretch, tested by conducting the Standard penetration test
(SPT) by the involved personnel and authorities. The data
Q=(RQD/jn)*(jr/ja)(jw/SRF) for the strength characteristics of the rock collected from
the concerned authorities is as follows:
Where Intact rock strength = 110 mpa
RQD is the rock quality designation Hoek- Brown constant = 17.7
jn is the joint set number Geological strength index = 75
jr is the joint roughness number Friction angle = 43o
Cohesive strength = 9.4 mpa
ja is the joint alteration number
Rock mass compressive strength = 43 mpa
jw is the joint water reduction factor Rock mass tensile strength = -0.94 mpa
SRF is the stress reduction factor Deformation modulus = 42000 mpa

However, the factors that make tunnelling difficult are

Due to the above cause the machine got stuck and the
generally related to:
project is stopped from April 24, 2015 till date. The cutter
 Instability head was originally designed for strength of about 20 mpa
 Heavy loading from ground having shield diameter of 6450 mm and the cutter roller
 Natural and man-made obstacles and constraints were added to the head in the hope of solving the
unexpected problem but failed to deal successfully.
 Physical conditions
Instability: III. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

It prevents timely placement and maintenance of adequate The various problems faced in tunnelling were enlisted,
support at and behind the working face. It arises from the lack delineated by a case study of the Azadpur metro station
of standard time as in non-cohesive sands and gravels or due to where bed rock was encountered. The solutions proposed
adverse orientation of joint and fracture plane. The problem were dissolving of rock in highly saline water, which had to
encountered with running sand is settlement and cratering at be dismissed due to the time constraints and the amount of
the surface with damage to utilities in the area. If the ground is slurry that would be produced. Addition of cutter rollers was
permeable consolidation grouting of entire sensitive area can suggested but couldn’t prove to be of much use. Ultimately,
be undertaken to stabilize the soil before tunnelling. If demolition and due compensation to the residential building
dewatering is successful in depressing the water table below above seems like the only option.
the tunnel invert, the compressed air is attractive provided the
working pressure is very carefully controlled. The slurry shield IV. REFERENCES
can be best adopted for controlling variable conditions were
running sand are present. [1]Tunnel Engineering Handbook, JOHN O. BICKEL
THOMAS R. KUESEL ELWYN H. KING
Heavy loading:
It creates problems of design as well as installation and
maintenance of a suitable support system. When a tunnel is
driven at depth in relatively weak rock a range of effect
may be encountered from squeezing through popping to
explosive failure of rock mass. It may also result from

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