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Introduction
Introduction
1.1 GENERAL
Tunnel plays an importance role in our daily life not only in terms of
transportation, but also in carrying water & sewage. In developing country like
INDIA, due to rapid urbanization & civilization there is scarcity of land, so in
that case tunnel plays vital role as it can be constructed underground. Further for
civic needs in developing country tunnel can be used for shelters, recreations,
traffic, storage for food grain, defense, water conductor system, commercial
activities etc. An increasingly necessary interdependence compels human
being toward the construction of more long tunnels both above ground and
below the sea to advance human unity as one global family exchanging and
sharing agricultural and manufactured products, resources, energy, services, and
knowledge.
Tunnels are constructed using many methods, depending upon the kind of soil
and/or rock through which they will pass, their size, how deep they need to be,
and the obstructions that may been countered along the route. These methods
include cut-and-cover construction, drill and blast, tunnel boring machine
(TBM), immersion of prefabricated tunnels, and sequential excavation methods
(SEM). It is relatively simpler to excavate in hard rock strata which constitutes
formation of lava like basalt and formation like granite, quartzite, schist,
limestone. While excavation in soft soil is tedious and require various
equipment. The invention of the tunnel shield—which supports unlined ground
to reduce the risk of collapse, Sir Marc Isambard Brunel and his son Isambard
Kingdom Brunel were able to excavate a tunnel under the Thames River
(London) between 1825 and 1843.
Different tunneling shielding is used for different types of soft ground. Open
shielding is favored where grounds are free standing. Closed shields are favored
where the ground is very weak, Slurry shields are favored for water saturated
sandy soils and gravel (<10% clay and silt content ; running sand). Earth
pressure balance shield methods are favored for water saturated silty soil (>7%
clay and silt ;< 70% gravel). Tunneling through hard rock strata is obtained by
blasting. tunnel boring machine (TBM), also known as a "mole", is a machine
used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross section through a variety of soil
and rock strata.
In design of tunnel various factors are involved like geological strata, types of
soil, seepage pressure, types of surcharge etc. Also for design purpose we have
to consider the different kind of loads e.g. ground pressure, water pressure, dead
load, surcharge, subgrade reaction etc. If necessary, the following loads should
be considered- loads from inside, loads during construction stage, effects of
earthquake, effects of adjacent tunnels, effects of settlement, and other loads.
The lining of tunnel in rocks require through study of the geology of the rock
mass, the effective cover, results of in-situ test like modulus of elasticity,
poissions ratio and other mechanical properties of soils. The lining is designed
so that the stresses within the permissible limit.
Lining is the permanent support system to the periphery of the tunnel, play the
main role for keeping tunnel from collapse and provide safe. It usually consists
of precast concrete segments which form rings. Cast iron linings were
traditionally used in tunnels, while steel liners were sometimes used elsewhere.
Lining in tunnel is technically important factor as it constitutes 30-40 percent of
the total cost of the tunnel. Therefore lining operation requires considerable
study and careful planning.
Selecting the efficient method of lining depend on several factors, they are
broadly classified as Technical factor and Non Technical factors. They are
described as below
1. Tunnel Function:
Tunnel function is an important factor in deciding what will be the tunnel lining.
Tunnels for water transfer need smooth lining. Railway tunnels need strong
lining under the rails to support the high load generated by the trains.
3. Groundwater conditions:
4. Ground conditions
Ground properties have a great influence on the selection of the tunnel lining.
Selection of a lining method should be done carefully and a high degree of
safety must be always in tunnel designer’s mind.
1.3.2 Sequence of lining:
The sequence of concrete placement for tunnel linings depends on shape of
tunnel, its size, and the nature of the rock strata, type of form work and other
plant equipment used. The sequences of lining is generally adopted as follows-
a) Placing concrete to form the kerbs first, followed by side walls and arch and
finally the invert;
b) Placing concrete to form the invert first followed by sides and arch; and
c) Placing concrete for the invert, side walls and arch all at one time.
Secondary lining. Various tunnels require smooth bore profiles for their
intended use, e.g. sewer and water tunnels or aesthetic finishes for public
usage, e.g. highway and pedestrian tunnels. Erosion and corrosion protection
for the primary lining and further waterproofing may also be required, all of
which are provided by secondary linings.
1.5 SELECTION OF SUPPORT SYSTEM
1. Continuous Ribs – This support system can be erected more rapidly than other
types and is generally used in rocks whose bridge action period is long enough
to permit removal of gases and mucking.
2. Rib and Post- this support system is generally used in tunnels whose roof
joins the sidewalls at an angle instead of a smooth curve.
3. Rib and Wall Plate- This support system is generally provided in tunnels with
a large cross section with high straight sides through good rock or in large
circular tunnels, where it is possible to support the wall plate by pins and the
strata below the wall plate does not require support.
4. Rib, Wall Plates and Post- This type of support permits post spacing to be
different from the rib spacing and IS code generally recommended for use in
tunnels with high vertical sides .
5. Full Circle Ribs- This type of support is used in tunnels in squeezing, swelling
and crushed rock, or any rock that imposes considerable side pressure.
6. Shortcreting- Commonly used in conjunction with rock bolts and mesh as a
temporary support system in rock tunnel where a concrete lining cast in situ
used as a primary support. This is generally used to seal off rock surfaces. Steel
fiber additive are used to improve tensile and shear strengths of shortcrete.