• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.135-144
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• 2020

Since the depth of tunneling with tunnel boring machine (TBM) becomes deeper and deeper, the expense for site investigation for coring and geophysical survey increases to obtain the sufficient accuracy. The tunnel ahead prediction methods have been introduced to overcome this limitation in the stage of site investigation. Probe drilling can obtain the core and borehole images from a borehole. However, the space in TBM for the probe drilling equipment is restricted and the core from probe drilling cannot reflect the whole tunnel face. Seismic methods such as tunnel seismic prediction (TSP) can forecast over 100 m ahead from the tunnel face though the signal is usually generated using the explosive which can affect the stability of segments and backfill grout. Electromagnetic methods such as tunnel electrical resistivity prospecting system (TEPS) offer the exact prediction for a conductive zone such as water-bearing zone. However, the number of electrodes installed for exploration is limited in small diameter TBM and finally the reduction of prediction ranges. In this study, the theoretical equations for the electrical resistivity survey whose electrodes are installed in the face and side of TBM to minimize the installed electrodes on face. The experimental tests were conducted to verify the derived equations.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.397-407
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• 2015

Estimation of shield TBM tunnelling-induced volume loss is of great importance for ground settlement control. This study proposed a simple method for evaluation of volume loss during TBM tunnlling, which is able to take into account of shield machine configurations and main driving data in calculation. The method was applied to analyze the tunnelling cases with earth pressure balanced and slurry pressure balanced shiled TBM, and mostly, reasonable agreements with monitoring results were found. Additional discussions were made for some disagreements.

• Magazine of korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.12-16
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• 2018

• Magazine of korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.6-12
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• 2017

• Magazine of korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.11-16
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• 2017

• Magazine of korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.49-57
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• 2021

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.67-76
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• 2006

For a hydro power plant project, the headrace tunnel having a finished diameter of 3.3 m was constructed in volcanic rocks with well-developed vertical joint and high groundwater table. The intake facility was located 20.3km upstream of the powerhouse and headrace tunnel of 20km in length and penstock of 440m in height connected the intake and the powerhouse. The typical caldera lake, Lake Toba set the geology at the site the caving of the ground caused tension cracks in the vertical direction to be developed and initial stresses at the ground to be released. High groundwater table(the maximum head of 20bar) in the area of well-connected vertical joints delayed the progress of tunnel excavation severely due to the excessive inflow of groundwater. The excavation of tunnel was made using open-shield type TBM and mucking cars on the rail. High volume of water inflowraised the water level inside tunnel to 70cm, 17% of tunnel diameter (3.9m) and hindered the mucking of spoil under water. To improve the productivity, several adjustments such as modification of TBM and mucking cars and increase in the number of submersible pumps were made forthe excavation of severe water inflow zone. Since the ground condition encountered during excavation turned out to be much worse, it was decided to adopt PC segment lining instead of RC lining. Besides, depending on the conditions of the water inflow, rock mass condition and internal water pressure, one of the invert PC segment lining with in-situ RC lining, RC lining and steel lining was applied to meet the site specific condition. With the adoption of PC segment lining, modification of TBM and other improvement, the excavation of the tunnel under severe groundwater condition was successfully completed.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.209-222
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• 2024

The Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) shield Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is widely used for underground tunnel construction for its advantages, such as eliminating the need for additional facilities compared to the slurry shield TBM, which requires Slurry Treatment Plant (STP). During EPB shield TBM excavation, a soil conditioning technique is employed to enhance the physical properties of the excavated soil by injecting additives, thus broadening the range of applicable ground conditions to EPB shield TBMs. This study explored the use of xanthan gum, a type of biopolymer, as an alternative to the commonly used polymer additive. Biopolymers, derived from biological sources, are fully biodegradable. In contrast to traditional polymers such as polyacrylic acid, which contain environmentally harmful components, xanthan gum is gaining attention as an eco-friendly material due to its minimal toxicity and environmental impact. Test conditions with similar workability were established through slump tests, and the rheological characteristics were assessed using a laboratory pressurized vane shear test apparatus. The experiments demonstrated that, despite exhibiting similar workability, the peak strength in the flow curve decreased with increasing the content of xanthan gum. Consequently, a correlation between the xanthan gum content and peak strength was established. Replacing the traditional polymers with xanthan gum could enable stable EPB shield TBM operation by reducing equipment load, in addition to offering environmental benefits.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.39-47
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• 2003

Rockbursts are mainly caused by a sudden release or the stored strain energy in the rock mass. They have been the major hazard in deep hard rock mines but rarely occur in tunnels. Due to the short history and limited information on rockbursts, the topic has rarely been studied in Korea. Some cases of rockbursts, however, have been reported during construction of a mountain tunnel for waterway. This study focuses on analyzing data on rockbursts obtained from a TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunnel and suggests methods for a comprehensive understanding on rockbursts. From the analysis of the field data of rockbursts, it was found that most rockbursts mainly occurred at the section between the tunnel face and the TBM operating room, and the rock bursting phenomena lasted up to 20 days after excavation in certain areas. The data also show that the bursting spots are located all around the tunnel surface including the face, the wall, and the roof, The maximum size of bursting spots is usually less than 100cm. This study also suggests new scale systems of brittleness and uniaxial compressive strength to evaluate the possible tendency for a rockburst. These systems are scaled based on the scale system of strain energy density. In addition, with these scale systems, this research shows that there are potentially higher tendencies for rockbursts in this specific tunnel. Moreover this research suggests that properties of rock and rock mass, RMR (Rock Mass Rating) value, tunneling method, excavating speed, and depth of tunnel have a strong correlation with rockbursts.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.193-201
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• 2014

This paper presents the development of simulation system on EPB shield TBM Hood operation. In recent, EPB shield TBM is widely used in the tunnel construction. Since the hood system of the EPB shield TBM is most important to excavate the tunnel, it is necessary to perform the simulation of hood system to investigate the design and operation parameters prior to tunnel construction. In order to carry out this study, the scaled simulation system was designed and developed. The model tests were performed to verify the developed system. During the simulation, the earth pressures developed in the chamber during tunnelling were measured to evaluate the operation technique. The test results obtained by the developed simulation system show clearly the similar behaviour of TBM hood compared with the field data. It was also found that the ground loss during tunnelling is dependent on the change of earth pressure in chamber. Therefore, the simulation system developed in this study will be very useful to evaluate the operation technique of the TBM hood prior to tunnel construction. In addition, this system will be applied in a various condition of ground to get the operating information.