SWELLING AND HEAVE IN TUNNELS

EXCAVATED IN SULPHATE BEARING ROCKS

Department of Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences

Technical University of Catalonia - Barcelona, Spain

May 4, 2004
Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Belchen tunnel
Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Belchen tunnel
Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Belchen tunnel

Section in the gypsum keuper

Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Belchen tunnel
Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Belchen tunnel
Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Belchen tunnel

Failure and heaving of the invert

Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Belchen tunnel

Monitored cross-section
Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Belchen tunnel

Repair work
Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Belchen tunnel

Repair work
Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Belchen tunnel

Repair work
Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Belchen tunnel

Repair work
Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Hauenstein base tunnel

Sections
Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Hauenstein base tunnel

Behaviour of tunnels in sulphated bearing rocks

Hauenstein base tunnel

Repair work
Tunnel LAV IV-2
Tunnel LAV IV-2
Tunnel LAV IV-2

Geological conditions
 Cota (m)

200
220
240
260
280
300
320
340
360
380
400
420
440
4 11+000

411+100

G
H&G

H
F
4 11 +200

411+204

4 11+300
30-07-01 411+281 30-07-01 411+274

03-09-01 411+353
411+400
03-09-01 411+375

4 11 +500

01-10-01 411+514

411+600
Tunnel LAV IV-2

4 11 +700
22-10-01 411+695

4 11+800

19-11-01 411+863 411+880

411+900

26-11-01
03-12-01 411+943
4 12 +000

412+100
H: humedad, G: goteo, F: flujo

4 12 +200
Puntos de agua durante la excavación del túnel

4 12+300

412+400
Cale del túnel
21-02-02
412+403,50
4 12 +500
412+518
04-02-02
412+600

412+700

07-01-02 412+742
17-12-01 412+768
4 12+800

412+840
26-11-01 412+836 26-11-01 412+847 26-11-01
412+900
Water conditions during construction

4 13 +000
05-11-01 412+984
22-10-01 413+015 413+028
15-10-01 413+034 15-10-01
413+100

17-09-01 413+104
10-09-01 413+136
413+200 413+205
20-08-01
P.K

06-08-01 413+240 413+238

4 13+300

413+400
Tunnel LAV IV-2

Flat-salb Invert-arch Circular

Typical sections
Tunnel LAV IV-2
Tunnel LAV IV-2

Foundation material
Tunnel LAV IV-2

March 2003 September 2003

Tunnel LAV IV-1

December 2003
Tunnel LAV IV-1

December 2003
Tunnel LAV IV-2

Sulphated bearing rock

 Tunnel LAV IV-2
800
12/15/03 Vertical displacements in the axis of sections with flat-slab

9/20/02

3/20/03

6/19/03

9/15/03

12/15/03

2/2/04
12/19/02
700
800
411+880

Construction of the invert

700
411+420

12/1/02

1/17/03
Vertical displacement (mm)
600 600
9/15/03
411+900
500

500 400 411+540

411+380
300
Vertical displacement (mm)

411+920
Heave

200 412+545
400 6/19/03
411+940
100
412+240
0
300 Slab axis reference at 9/20/02

0 100 200 300 400 500

Time (days)
3/20/03
200 4/28/03

100
12/19/02

10/31/02
0
Slab axis reference at 9/20/02 Left side (2.5 m from axis)
Settlement

Invert (since 01/03) Circular (since 06/03)

-100 Slab Slab (until 11/02) Slab Slab (until 05/03) Slab

+545
+590

+238
+204

+560

+860
411+100

+300

+400

+700

+800

+100

+200

+300
413+000
+400

+500

+800

+900

412+000

+100

+200

+500

+600

+900
+200

+300

+600

+700

Abscissa (km)
Tunnel LAV IV-2

1/27/03

6/19/03
3/2/04

9/15/03

12/15/03

3/2/04
12/15/03
3/20/03

6/19/03

9/15/03
30 30
Development of vertical displacements 411+828
411+663
in the axis of the section with invert-arch 411+853
Vertical displacement (mm)

411+753
20 20

411+688
411+832
411+713
411+778
411+638
10 10
411+803

Invert axis reference at 1/27/03 Invert axis reference at 1/27/03

0 0
411+588

0 100 200 300 400 200 300 400

Time (days) Time (days)
40

Vertical displacements in the axis of the section with invert-arch

Vertical displacement (mm)

30

12/15/03
20 0,70

0,4
9/15/03
6/19/03
10
3/20/03

0
Invert axis reference at 1/27/03
411+600

411+800
411+700

Abscissa (km)
Tunnel LAV IV-2

Chemo-mechanical degradation
Tunnel LAV IV-2
3000
Anhidrita

Pk 411+600
2000 (2,00 - 2,20 m)

Anhidrita: 25,6 %
Yeso: 16,2 %
Cuarzo: 2,9 %
Yeso
Paligorsquita

1000 Filosilicatos: 55,3 %

(Paligorsquita & Illita)

Cuarzo
Illita
Cps (s-1)

0 3000
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Pk 411+600
(3,00 - 3,20 m)
Anhidrita 2000
Anhidrita: 18,9 %
Yeso: 9,5 %
Dolomita

Cuarzo: 1,9 %
Paligorsquita

Dolomita: 10,9 1000

Filosilicatos: 58,8 %
Yeso

Cuarzo

(Paligorsquita & Illita)

Illita

0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
2θ

Minerals in the rocks

 Tunnel LAV IV-2

Sustancias disueltas

Cromatografía iónica Plasma de inducción acoplado (ICP)

Bicarbonatos: Magnesio:
302 ppm Cloruros: 141 ppm
39 ppm
Sodio:
29,2 ppm
Sulfatos:
1783 ppm Calcio:
Carbonatos:
500 ppm
10 ppm
Potasio: 3,2 ppm
Nitratos: 6 ppm

Conductividad eléctrica: 2,82 mS/cm – pH: 6,75

Water characteristics
 Tunnel LAV IV-2

0,15
Análisis de saturación de sulfatos
0,05 en ensayo edométrico

-0,05 Yeso PK 413+035: 27-03-03

Anhidrita PK 413+035: 27-03-03
-0,15
Yeso EE 1 g/lit: 20-08-03
Índice de saturación, IS = Log (IAP/K)

-0,25 Anhidrita EE 1 g/lit: 20-08-03

Yeso ES 1 g/lit: 13-09-03
-0,35
Anhidrita ES 1 g/lit: 13-09-03
-0,45 Yeso EE 3,15 g/lit: 13-09-03
Anhidrita EE 3,15 g/lit: 13-09-03
-0,55

-0,65 PK 413+035: 27-03-03:

CE = 2670 µS/cm, pH = 6,78 (20 OC)
-0,75
EE 1,0 g/lit: 20-08-03:
-0,85 CE = 958 µS/cm, pH = 7,32 (20 OC)

-0,95 ES 1,0 g/lit: 13-09-03:

CE = 3690 µS/cm, pH = 6,65 (20 OC)
-1,05
EE 3,15 g/lit: 13-09-03:
-1,15 CE = 1957 mS/cm, pH = 6,82 (20 OC)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Temperatura, OC

Sulphate stablilty in the rock massif water

 Tunnel LAV IV-2
0.6 0.6 60
Fresh rock: nov 2002
40
0.5 Disturbed rock: nov 2002 0.5
Swelling pressure, σ´v (sw) (MPa)

Swelling pressure, σ´v (sw) (MPa)

σ´v (sw-rem)/σ´v (sw-und)

0.4 0.4 20

0.3 0.3 10
8
0.2 0.2 6

4
0.1 0.1

2
0.0 0.0
Undisturbed samples Undisturbed samples
1
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Water content, w (%) Total unit weight, γt (kN/m3) Initial water content, wo (%)
100 100 30

50 50
28
30

Total unit weight, γt (kN/m3)

20 20
26
qu, (σ1-σ3)max (MPa)

qu, (σ1-σ3)max (MPa)

10 10

5 5 24
3
2 2 22

1 1
20
0.5 0.5
0.3 18
0.2 0.2

0.1 0 16
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Water content, w (%) Total unit weight, γt (kN/m3) Water content, w (%)
 Tunnel LAV IV-2
70 3.00 3.00
Fresh rock: nov 2002
Disturbed rock: nov 2002
60 2.95 Stable zone: mar 2003 2.95
Active zone: mar 2003
Sulphate content, SO4 (%)

50 2.90 2.90

Specific gravity, Gs

Specific gravity, Gs
40 2.85 2.85

30 2.80 2.80

20 2.75 2.75

10 2.70 2.70

0 2.65 2.65
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Water content, w (%) Sulphate content, SO4 (%) Water content, w (%)
30 30 30

28 28 28

Total unit weight, γt (kN/m3)

Total unit weight, γt (kN/m3)

Total unit weight, γt (kN/m3)

26 26 26

24 24 24

22 22 22

20 20 20

18 18 18

16 16 16
2.65 2.70 2.75 2.80 2.85 2.90 2.95 3.00 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Specific gravity, Gs Sulphate content, SO4 (%) Water content, w (%)
 Tunnel LAV IV-2

80 3.0 3.0
Anhydrite Anhydrite Anhydrite
70 2.9 2.9
Sulphate content, SO4 (%)

60 Gypsum 2.8 2.8

Specific gravity, Gs

Specific gravity, Gs
50 2.7 2.7

40 2.6 2.6

30 2.5 2.5

20 2.4 2.4

Gypsum Gypsum
10 2.3 2.3

0 2.2 2.2
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Water content, w (%) Sulphate content, SO4 (%) Water content, w (%)
 Tunnel LAV IV-2

220
Vertical displacements in the axis of sections with flat-slab and invert arch
200 november 2002 - march 2003
Vertical displacement (mm)

180 03/03/03
Section with invert Left side (2.5 m from axis)
160 6

140 4 03/03/03

120 2

100 0
Invert axis reference
at 27/01/03
80 -2
+600

+700

+800
60
40
20 Slab axis reference at 09/20/02
10/10/02
0

-1 Water level at 10/10/02

Depth below floor (m)

Drainage system at 10/10/02 (-1.4 m)

-2
-2.3 m u = 3.92 kPa
Fresh rock level at november 2002
-3

-4 Active zone limit at march 2003

-5
-5.3 m u = 49 kPa
-6 Piezometric
data at 03/03/03 Foundation material conditions
november 2002 - march 2003
-7
411+100

+400

+500

+600

+700

+800

+900

412+000

+100

+200

+300

+400

+500

+600

+700

+800

+900

413+000

+100

+200

+300
+200

+300

Abscissa (km)
 Tunnel LAV IV-2

12/15/02

May-03

Aug-03
1/27/03

Nov-03
Sep-03

Dec-03
Feb-03

Jun-03
Mar-03
Jan-03

Jan-04
Apr-03

Oct-03
Jul-03
10
Vertical displacements
section 411+609
Right side
8
Vertical displacement (mm)

Axis

4
Left side

0 100 200 300 400

5.0
Radial pressures in the invert-arch
secction 411+609
4.0
Radial pressure, σr (MPa)

RPC 1

3.0

2.0

1.0
RPC 3
RPC 2
0.0
0 100 200 300 400
Time (days)
 Tunnel LAV IV-2

12/15/02

May-03

Aug-03
1/27/03

Nov-03
Sep-03

Dec-03
Feb-03

Jun-03
Mar-03
Jan-03

Jan-04
Apr-03

Oct-03
Jul-03
20
Vertical displacements
18 section 411+629
16
Vertical displacement (mm)

14
12
Axis
10
8 Right side
6 Left side
4
2
0
-2
0 100 200 300 400
5.0
Radial pressures in the invert-arch
secction 411+629
4.0
Radial pressure, σr (MPa)

RPC 1

3.0

2.0

1.0 RPC 3

0.0 RPC 2
0 100 200 300 400
Time (days)
 Tunnel LAV IV-2

12/15/02

May-03

Aug-03
1/27/03

Nov-03
Sep-03

Dec-03
Feb-03

Jun-03
Mar-03
Jan-03

Jan-04
Apr-03

Oct-03
Jul-03
30
28 Vertical displacements
26 section 411+669
24 Axis
Vertical displacement (mm)

22
20 Left side
18 Right side
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
0 100 200 300 400
5.0
Radial pressures in the invert-arch
secction 411+669
4.0
Radial pressure, σr (MPa)

3.0 RPC 1

2.0

1.0 RPC 2
RPC 3

0.0
0 100 200 300 400
Time (days)
 Tunnel LAV IV-2

Section 411+600
Foundation material conditions at march 2003
Water content Specific gravity Total unit weight Sulphate content Vertical displacements at section axis - IE 2
Depth w (%) Gs γt (kN/m )
3 SO4 (%) Relative, δv (mm/m) Accumulated, ∆v (mm)
(m) 0 4 8 12 16 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.0 16 20 24 28 32 0 20 40 60 80 -15 -10 -5 0 5 -15 -10 -5 0 5
0

Dec/03

Dec/03
Mar/03

Mar/03
1

Reference: 20/02/03

Reference: 20/02/03
4

10
 Tunnel LAV IV-2

Section 411+880
Foundation material conditions at november 2002 and march 2003
Water content Specific gravity Total unit weight Sulphate content
Depth w (%) Gs γt (kN/m )
3 SO4 (%)
(m) 0 4 8 12 16 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.0 16 20 24 28 32 0 20 40 60 80
0
Conditions at november 2002
Conditions at march 2003
1

10
Tunnel LAV IV-2

Swelling pressure tests

with sulphated water
Tunnel LAV IV-2

Swelling pressure tests

with sulphated water
 Tunnel LAV IV-2
1.0
Swelling pressure test whit sulphated water
Vertical pressure, σv (MPa)

unconfined sample Section 411+880 (flat-slab)

0.8 direct flow along a failure plane Tube No. 6 (7,60 9,10 m)
Sample No. 29 (8,50 - 8,80 m)

0.6 Gs (integral sample): 2,82

w (integral sample): 4,67 %
SO4 content: 26,3 %
0.4

0.2

0.0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
Time, t (hours)
2.2
Vertical displacement, ∆z (mm)

2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-0.2
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
Time, t (hours)
 Tunnel LAV IV-2
1.0
Swelling pressure test whit sulphated water
Section 411+600 (invert-arch)
Vertical pressure, σv (MPa)

unconfined sample
Tube No. 5 (8,20 - 9,80 m) direct flow along a failure plane
0.8
Sample No. 29 (8,50 - 8,80 m)

Gs (integral sample): 2,85

0.6 w (integral sample): 2,58 %
SO4 content: 9,97 %

0.4

0.2

0.0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200 3400
Time, t (hours)
2.2
Vertical displacement, ∆z (mm)

2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200 3400
Time, t (hours)