ASSOCIATION

INTERNATIONALE DES TRAVAUX

EN SOUTERRAIN

AITES

ITA

INTERNATIONAL
TUNNELLING
ASSOCIATION

In Consultative Status, Category II with the

United Nations Economic and Social Council
http://www.ita-aites.org

Towards an
improved use
of underground
Space

Topic
TUNNELLING METHODS
Title
Case histories of Norwegian drilled and blasted shafts in hard rock

Author
O. By

published
in "AITES - ITA 2000 - World Tunnel Congress - Tunnels under Pressure",
Vol. 24, pp. 589 - 592, Year 2000
by the South African Institute for Mining and Metallurgy, www.saimm.co.za
Working Group: Open Session, Seminar, Workshop: Open Session 2000, Durban: "Mining in Tunnelling: Shaft
Construction"

Others:

Meetings

Abstract: The customary method for the excavation of shafts in Norway is by conventional drilling and blasting from
below - a method which has not changed over the last 30 years.
For practical reasons, the length of shafts is normally limited to about 1200 m for inclined shafts, and 500 m for
vertical shafts, with cross-sections varying between 3 and 16 sq. m, before possible enlargements later. The
equipment mostly used is the Alimak Raise Climber, but "pulkdrift" (pulk operation) has been used to some
extent for small inclined shafts of up 60 m length. Working conditions for the operators in the shafts are
arduous and the exposure to dust, oil mist and gases are the most intense of all underground work.
Improvement of the environment for the operators, therefore, requires development of better methods as well as
better equipment.

Rsum:

Remarks: -

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BY, O. Case histories of Norwegian drilled and blasted shafts in hard rock. AITES-ITA 2000 World Tunnel Congress. Durban, South African Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy, 2000.

Case histories of Norwegian drilled and blasted shafts in hard

rock
O. BY
Civil Engineering Division, Selmer ASA, Oslo, Norway

The customary method for the excavation of shafts in Norway is by conventional drilling and
blasting from below a method which has not changed over the last 30 years.
For practical reasons, the length of shafts is normally limited to about 1200 m for inclined
shafts, and 500 m for vertical shafts, with cross-sections varying between 3 and 16 sq. m, before
possible enlargements later. The equipment mostly used is the Alimak Raise Climber, but
pulkdrift (pulk operation) has been used to some extent for small inclined shafts of up 60 m
length. Working conditions for the operators in the shafts are arduous and the exposure to dust, oil
mist and gases are the most intense of all underground work. Improvement of the environment for
the operators, therefore, requires development of better methods as well as better equipment.

Introduction
Water is the the white gold of Norway. Most of the shafts
in Norway have been excavated in relation to the large
number of hydropower projects developed after the Second
World War. During the past few years, however,
construction of hydropower projects have been relatively
limited. The drill and blast method is still the most costefficient method for excavation of shafts from below,
compared with raise drilling.
Methods as well as equipment must, however, be
improved, particularly in order to improve the working
environment for the operators.
In this paper the execution of shafts with comments as to
the excavation, the working environment and possible
improvements for the excavation work will be described.

Shaft case histories

Floeyrli Power Plant Excavation of 416 metres of
vertical shaft
Background for the construction of a new hydropower
project
The Floeyrli Hydropower Project was developed to utilize
the maximum energy potential of the catchment area south
of the Lysefjord in the western part of Norway.
The first plant started operating in 1918 using a steel
pipeline for the supply of water to the old power plant
located on surface. Water head was 740 m, the catchment
area for the plant was 48 sq. km, giving a mean water
supply of 5.0 cu. m per second from a reservoir volume of
51 million cu. m. Installed capacity was 28 MW and yearly
production 166 GWh.
After 80 years of operation this has been replaced by a
new plant, which is located in an underground rock cavern
and has a capacity of 80 MW. Construction started in 1996
and was completed in 1998. Underground blasting and
excavation amounted to 112,000 cu. m and comprise;

headrace and pressure tunnels, access and tailrace tunnels,

power house and pressure shaft.
Alternative methods for excavation of the shaft were raise
drilling, or drilling and blasting from below of either a
vertical or an inclined shaft.

Geology
The rock in the area is from the Cambrian, more than 650
million years old, primarily gneiss and granite. The extent
of jointing is small, but the head-race tunnel crosses a
weakness zone.
Excavation of the first part of the pressure tunnel,
upstream of the station, experienced inflow of water under
high pressure which had to be grouted. It also showed high
internal stresses in the rock, causing rock spalling.
Excavation of the head-race tunnel upstream of the shaft
also met swelling clay zones and water. The unfavourable
rock conditions met during excavation of the tunnels and
later geological investigations showed that the alternative,
of the inclined shaft, had to be abandoned and that the shaft
had to be moved 417 m to avoid the water and clay zones.
Raise drilling or drill and blast for the shaft
The chosen alternative was a vertical circular shaft, 416 m
long with a cross-section of area 13.2 sq. m, excavated by
the drill and blast method using an Alimak Raise Climber.
Lower costs, less risk and safer performance were the
main reasons. Construction was carried out during the
winter and, with no access road to the top, the cost and
uncertainty of operating helicopters in bad weather and
possible problems with raise drilling through bad rock was
considered too risky.
Personnel and equipment
Main equipment chosen for the work comprised a diesel
Alimak Raise Climber with a security lift, supported by
other equipment suited to very hard rock conditions, such
as:

CASE HISTORIES OF NORWEGIAN DRILLED AND BLASTED SHAFTS IN HARD ROCK

589

Figure 1. Section: Floeyrli power plant as tendered

Figure 2. Section: Floeyrli power plant as constructed

Drilling: 4 AC Falcon BBD 46WR, 4 SIG PLS

24-95 and AC ET5
Loading and transport: Cat 963, Volvo A25.
It was originally planned to have a shift schedule of two 7.5
hour shifts per day. During excavation, however, it was
found that scaling, because of the spalling and bolting for
safety, required much more time than anticipated. It was not
possible to meet the planned progress schedule with one
blasting round per shift. After 160 m of excavation a third
shift was introduced, 3 9.5 hours shifts and one shift
on leave once a week. Three operators worked at the face
with one man for repair and maintenance below.
Progress
Mobilization for the shaft excavation started 26.11.97. The
shaft was excavated, secured and demobilized by 29.05.98.
Progress of excavation with 2 shifts was approximately
16 m per week, and with 3 shifts, 23 m per week. The
length of each round was 2.4 m. To get a secure surface of
the shaft, there were 92 holes drilled for each round.
Explosives used were glynytt and dynamite initiated by
HU-initiators. High horizontal tensions in the rock caused
excessive spalling and required much time for scaling 2
to 3 hours for each round. The large cross-section required
a large heavy platform and the long driving distances
resulted in much wear and high consumption of spare parts.

590

The climber also needed more maintenance for brakes,

rollers and pin gears as the length of drive increased during
the excavation. Hard rock and the large number of drilled
metres for each round increased the need for spare parts for
the rock drills.
Summary
The excavation for the Floeyrli shaft required great
resources with more than 20 man-hours per shaft-metre,
more than 4 kilos of explosives and 7 drills/m per cu. m
excavated rock.
Excavation of this type of shaft requires equipment of a
high standard.
Highly qualified and experienced personnel are vital for
efficient performance. They must understand this type of
work both for productivity, support work and safety.
Investigation of the rock and working conditions must be
thorough before final selection of alignment for the shaft is
decided in order to minimize the possibilities of
unfavourable rock conditions.
There is always a risk of rocks falling from the face. The
drilling of a sufficient number of holes with accurate
direction and length is therefore crucial for safe execution
of blasting and excavation from underneath.
Other cases
The excavation by the Pulk method is the most common

AITES-ITA 2000 WORLD TUNNEL CONGRESS

for short and small inclined shafts. Meraaker Power plant

required seven smaller shafts, which were excavated by use
of pulk. Six shafts had a cross-section of 4 sq. m and
lengths of less than 40 m, and one shaft had a cross-section
of 8 sq. m and a length of 100 m. Lower production rate for
excavation of these shafts is compensated by lower
mobilization cost.

PULK - METHOD
Our experience is that the pulk method is suitable for crosssections of less than 56 sq. m and lengths of less than
60 m and inclination between 40 and 45 degrees.
For longer inclined shafts, excavations are usually made
using the Alimak.
ALIMAK - METHOD

Environmental survey statement

Survey of underground exposure
Background
It is documented that construction workers have increased
risk of asbestos-related cancer, on-the-site trauma,
musculoskeletal injury and eczema, but whether they also
have an increased risk of work-related chronic pulmonary
disease has to date not been clearly established. In a
Norwegian study of man-years with occupational -quartz
exposure and normal chest radiographs, the duration of
occupational -quartz exposure was shown to be an
independent predictor of decreased lung function. Another
study of machine-shop workers concluded that occupational
asthma due to oil mists was common. Shaft drill operators
are heavily exposed both to -quartz and oil mist.
Underground workers, in general, are exposed to particles
from blasting and gases from diesel exhausts. The aim of
our study, carried out in Selmer ASA, was to assess the
occurrence of respiratory symptoms and decreased lung
function in underground workers and relate these findings
to exposure. The study was carried out in co-operation with
the Norwegian National University Hospital and National
Institute of Occupational Health.
Method
A group of 212 underground workers and a reference group
of 205 other workers in heavy construction participated in a
cross-sectional investigation. Exposure measurements were
carried out to demonstrate the difference in exposure
between the different job groups. Lung function
measurements and a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms
and smoking habits were applied. Radiological signs of
silicosis were evaluated. Respiratory symptoms and lung
function were studied in relation to years of exposure, and
adjusted for smoking habits.
Results
Compared with the reference subjects and adjusted for
smoking, the underground workers, and especially the
shaft-drill operators, had a significant decrease in lung
function, when related to years of exposure. They also
reported significantly higher occurrence of respiratory
symptoms like cough with phlegm and wheezing in the
chest. The shaft-drill operators had a significantly higher
exposure to -quartz and oil mist than other underground
workers, and it was demonstrated that they were at
increased risk of developing silicosis.

References:

Environmental impact statement

Exposure to particles and gases from drilling, blasting and
rock transport in underground work, and especially in shaftdrilling, enhances the risk for accelerated decline in lung
function and development of chronic pulmonary disease in
underground workers. The construction trade has an
immense responsibility with regard to this problem and an
immediate resolution is required.
In addition to the above-mentioned problems; Studies,
based on questionnaires, reveal a high prevalence of
musculoskeletal complaints described as pains, aches, and
discomfort among workers in heavy construction. Besides
causing individual suffering, musculoskeletal disorders
result in absenteeism and early retirement pensions, which
entail great costs for companies and governments. In a

CASE HISTORIES OF NORWEGIAN DRILLED AND BLASTED SHAFTS IN HARD ROCK

591

Swedish study, early retirements due to these disorders

were more common among construction workers than other
men. Of all sick leave taken for longer than four weeks in
the construction industry, 72% in Sweden were due to
musculoskeletal disorders. We see the same tendency in our
company. Working with hands above shoulder level, which
is common in shaft drilling, has been shown to increase
neck and shoulder pain with a dose-response relationship.
This problem also needs to be addressed.

Technical development
The challenges for improvements of drilling and blasting
methods for the excavation of shafts are aimed at the
creation of better and safer working conditions for our
personnel.
Excavation with Alimak equipment gives us a very
flexible method for most cross-sections and conditions. The
equipment is easy to mobilize for production and the
maintenance of the equipment is simple this is very
important for remote sites. It is, therefore, natural for us to
base the development of new equipment on Alimak
products

592

New developments that have started at Alimak include

hydraulic equipment operating from the working platform,
new guides and stronger machinery to carry heavier loads
on the platform, as well as improved ventilation. This
includes an electrohydraulic power pack on the platform for
supply of power for both drilling, travelling operations and
the fastening of the climber. Drilling may be performed
with hydraulic hammers on hydraulically operated booms
with telescopic feeders. The ventilation may be improved
by use of a separate local ventilation system on the platform
and fresh air equipment available on the climber.
Progress of the development of new equipment will be
largely dependent on the number of new shafts to be
excavated in the future, in order to get an economic return
on investments. Local and federal laws relating to working
environments may also be an inducement to further
development work.

Reference
1. Berit Bakke, Bente Ulvestad: Exposure and chronic
pulmonary disease on construction workers, STAMIreport, no 1 (2000), ISSN: 1502 - 0932

AITES-ITA 2000 WORLD TUNNEL CONGRESS