Breakthroughs in Tunneling

September 12, 2016

Geotechnical Site
Investigations For
Tunneling

Greg Raines, PE
Objective

To develop a conceptual model adequate

to estimate the range of ground
conditions and behavior for excavation,
support, and groundwater control.
support
 Typical Phases of Subsurface Investigation

Phase 1: Planning Phase – Desk Top Study/Review

Phase 2: Preliminary/Feasibility Design – Initial Field

Investigations

Phase 3: Final Design – Additional/Follow-Up Field

Investigations

Final Phase: Construction – Continued characterization of

site
 Typical Phases of Subsurface Investigation

Phase 1: Planning Phase – Desk Top Study/Review

 Review:
 Geologic maps Previous reports/investigations

 Aerial photos Case histories

 Develop conceptual geologic/geotechnical model (cross sections),

preliminarily identify technical constraints/issues for the project.

 Plan subsurface investigation program.

 Identify/Collect Available
Geotechnical Data in the Project Area

Bridge or
control
Information can include: structure

• Geologic maps
• Data from previous
reports
• Drill hole data
• Preliminary mapping

Compile available local

data into a database for
further evaluation.

Roads or Residential
Canals Area
Geologic Profiles – Understand Geologic
Setting and Collect Specific Data
Bedrock Surface Elevation Maps
 Aerial Photo / LiDAR Interpretation

Aerial Photo
Diversion
Tunnel

Use digital imagery/LiDAR

to map local features prior
to field mapping.
Dam

LiDAR
Field Geologic Mapping
 Field Geologic Mapping
Structural Data Collection
(faults, folds, shears, contacts, alteration zones)

Mapping at the scale of the project/features !

Geomechanical Mapping of Discontinuities
(Kinematic Data Analysis)

Tunnel
Alignment

Courtesy of Rocscience
Develop Preliminary Geologic / Geotech
Conceptual Model for the Project

Goal is to:
• identify the primary
technical considerations,
• limitations/constraints,
• scope,
• purpose,
• geotechnical targets,
• and site conditions that
must be resolved.
 Typical Phases of Subsurface Investigation

Phase 2: Preliminary/Feasibility Design – Initial Field

Investigations
 Implement the field drilling/CPT, sampling, testing, geologic/geomorphic
mapping, surface & down-hole geophysics, and laboratory testing
program.

 This scope can often change based on the findings during the
investigation.

 This phase is often where the bulk of the site characterization effort is
applied.
 Typical Phases of Subsurface Investigation

Phase 3: Final Design – Additional/Follow-Up Field

Investigations
 Target specific geologic/geotechnical features, conditions, or issues that
may impact the project design or areas where design modifications have
been developed.

 Often specialty field or laboratory testing is performed (e.g. in-situ stress

measurement, tri-axial testing, etc..).
 Subsurface Exploration

 Conventional Drilling
 Cone Penetrometer
Testing (CPT)
 Test Pits
 Sampling & Testing
 Geophysical Methods

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A lot of Borings for Shallow Soil Jobs
Deep Rock Tunnel – Fewer Borings
 Establish Drill Hole Configurations
(Depth, Location, Vertical, Inclined, Horizontal)
 Drill Rig Access and Logistics
Surface
Water

Air Support
Underground/confined
areas
 Types of Rigs –

Solid Stem

Some typical methods to drill the subsurface include:

• Auger
• Mud/Air Rotary
• Mud/Air Rotary with Casing Advance Hollow Stem
• Reverse Circulation
• Sonic
• Becker Penetration
• Large Diameter
• Cone Penetration Tests (CPT)
• Rock Core

Each of these methods have pros and cons and are well suited
for specific exploration programs, depending on both the
subsurface conditions as well as the data needs for the program.
 Types of Rigs –
Auger
Solid Stem

Hollow Stem

Pros:
• Simple, widely available
• No water, mud, or air
• Accommodates most sampling types
Cons:
• Depth limitations
• Gravels, cobbles limitations
• Flowing/running ground limitations
• Hole collapse (solid stem)
 Types of Rigs –
Mud / Air Rotary

Pros: Cons:
• Widely available • Location of G.W. in drill hole
• Accommodates most sampling types • Mud impact to sensing/testing zone
• Efficient in most ground conditions • Cobble/boulder limitations
 Types of Rigs –
Reverse Circulation

Schramm (dual
tube RC air
percussion rig)

Pros:
• Efficient
• Can identify water zones (air)
• Large diameter (nested wells)
• High depth capacity
Cons:
• Logging cuttings
• Sampling limitations
• Larger equipment/support requirements
Types of Rigs –
Sonic
Pros:
• Efficient
• No water, mud or air
• Accommodates most sampling types
• Nearly full sample recovery
• Can detect water in recovered core
• Advance through most geotechnical conditions
Cons:
• Not widely available for investigation purposes
• Potential for sample disturbance
• Comparatively slightly higher $/m
 Types of Rigs –
Large Diameter Borings

• Physical examination/mapping of the

intact geologic conditions
 Types of Rigs –
Horizontal Directional Drilling
Pros:
• Effective for bypassing critical or
existing features
• Minimal ground disturbances

Cons:
• Specialized equipment and crew
needed
• Limits on the stress radius of the pipe
 Types of Rigs –
Cone Penetration Test (CPT)
Pros:
• Widely available
• Efficient
• No water, mud or air
• Advance many holes in comparison
Cons:
• No samples
• Push depth limitations
Cone Penetrometer Testing
Types of Rigs –
Rock Core
 Test Pits

Used for soil

logging, sample
collection and lab
testing materials
anticipated to be
encountered.
 Types of Samples –
Drive Samplers (SPT, MC, LPT)
MC Liners

Mod Cal

SPT Energy
Calibration
Can be performed in most soil types, difficult in gravel-cobbles. Provides information
relating to relative density, strength, and applicability of some ground improvement
methods (e.g., soil mixing, jet grouting, chemical grouting)
 Types of Samples –
“Undisturbed” Samples
Shelby Tube
Pitcher Sampler

Typically applied to
soft-medium, stiff
cohesive soils in
order to test strength,
stiffness,
Piston consolidation, etc…
Sampler
Excellent

Fair to Good

Poor to Fair

Forms basis for many rock mass classification

systems and provides information on the
distribution/magnitude of rock fractures relating to
rock mass strength, modulus, permeability, and
Very Poor to Poor groutability.
 In Situ Testing –
Pressure Meter / Dilatometer
 In Situ Testing –
Hydraulic Conductivity Testing

 Packer Testing (single and double)

 Constant Head
 Falling Head

Tunnel
Alignment

Relates to permeability and groutability of a

formation (rock or soil) for parameters used in
analysis, and design.
Packer Tests

Inflation Tube

Inflatable
Packer
End Cap

Test Zone Perforated

Screen

End Plug
 Packer Tests

K(cm/s)

0.0E+00 2.0E-04 4.0E-04 6.0E-04 8.0E-04 1.0E-03 1.2E-03 1.4E-03 1.6E-03 1.8E-03 2.0E-03

5
Hydraulic Jacking and Fracturing Tests

Jacking Fracturing

Pressurization of borehole is done until

fracturing of rock in borehole wall. The
rock will generally fracture in the direction
perpendicular to the minimum stress
direction σ3. The fracture alignment is
viewed using borehole televiewer or
impression packer. The intermediate and
vertical stresses are then calculated from
the estimated minimum stress value
Hazardous Gases &
Contaminants Underground

• Methane (CH4)
• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Gasoline Vapors
• Chlorinated Solvents (PCE, DCE, & TCE)
 Typical Drill Hole Logs
Rock Log Soil Log
 Typical Drill Hole Logs

Soil:
 Lithology Rocks:
 Soil type (USCS)  Rock Type
 Color  Recovery, RQD,
 Consistency / GSI
density  Color
 Grain size  Texture
distribution  Degree of
General:  Moisture weathering
 Drill rate  Cementation  Strength
 Rig Behavior  Plasticity (clays)  Hardness
 Circulation return  Roundness  Structure
 Depth to water
 Discontinuities:
 Instrumentation
• Type
 Drill difficulties
• Width
 Shift changes Roughness
Code
• Infilling Amount
 Testing intervals and
Slickensided & Type
results Polished
• Surface Shape
Smooth
• Roughness
• Spacing (Joint
Rough
Very Rough Sets)
Data Compilation Summary Sheets
 Geologic Profiles –
Understand Geologic Setting
 Geophysics

 Down hole geophysics

 Seismic reflection*
 Seismic refraction
 Resistivity
 Ground penetrating radar
 Seismic tomography*
 Bathymetry
 Magnetics*
(*Not described in this presentation)
 Oriented Down-Hole Televiewer –
Optical & Acoustic

Optical Acoustic
 Down-Hole Televiewer Geophysics –
Caliper & Gamma

Records Records
magnitude of deviations of
natural gamma the borehole
ray decay diameter
indicative of indicating
clay mineral intervals of
bearing rock wash-out or
and soil cave-in
Suspension Logging
Cross Hole Geophysics/Tomography
 Seismic Refraction and
and Resistivity

Resistivity
Refraction Compression, P-Wave
Marine Geophysics
Seismic Reflection Profile
Magnetic Survey
3D Resistivity Imaging
 Ground Penetrating Radar –
(Example: Performed Inside Tunnel)
Groundwater and Hydrogeologic Conditions

Fractured
Rock
Tunnel
Alignment
Shaft

Screen
Clay
Screen

Screen
Highly permeable
sand-gravel
 Piezometers
Typical stand-pipe Multi-level vibrating Fully Grouted Multi-
piezometer wire piezometer level vibrating wire
Multi-level Single
piezometer
Pump / Slug Tests

Slug test
assembly
 Typical Lab Testing

• Soil
– USCS classification
– Strength & Modulus
– Moisture/density
– Plasticity
– Gradation
– Hydrometer
Unified Soil Classification System
(USCS)
Grain Size Analysis

1” ½” #4 #10 #40 #200

 Plasticity Testing
(Atterberg Limits: PI, LL, PL)
Hydrometer Test
Stickyness Index

Medium

Low

High

EPBM Clogging Potential

Density & Strength
Specialized Lab Testing –
Soil Abrasivity
 Typical Lab Testing

• Rock
– Rock classification
– Compressive/shear strength
– Tensile strength (Brazilian)
– Moisture/density
– Durability, abrasivity, slake, toughness
Unconfined and Point Load Index Tests
 Specialized Lab Testing –
Punch Penetration and Cerchar Tests
Slake Durability
 Thin Section Analysis

Granitic Porphyry
Field Investigation Results

Geotechnical Reports
(Data Reports, Design Reports, &
Baseline Report)
 Typical Phases of Subsurface Investigation

Final Phase: Construction

 Confirmation investigations, sampling/testing, and monitoring of site
conditions encountered and/or results obtained from the ground
improvement construction process.
 Construction Testing and Observations
Construction is part of site characterization!

 The actual conditions to

define the site conditions,
engineering parameters,
groundwater, and ground
behavior should be
evaluated during
construction (construction
is the last phase of the
site investigation).
Construction Testing and Observations
Construction is part of site characterization!

 Map conditions
encountered as
applicable
 Probe ahead to
determine ground
and groundwater
conditions
 Investigate specific
problems such as
faults or other
features
 Use instrumentation
and monitoring
Pilot Tunnels
 Uncertainty Cannot be Eliminated

“Surprises Are Inevitable - There will

always be unexpected ground conditions
and neither the owner nor the design
team can completely eliminate surprises
from complex underground projects.”
Gould, 1995
Construction Testing and Observations
Construction is part of site characterization!

Tunnel encountered column

that was not previously
identified.

Location is under rail line, so

no access prior to
construction.
Questions?