• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.29-40
• /
• 2019

Mechanized constructions have been frequently increased in soft ground below sea bed or river bed, for urban tunnel construction, and for underpinning the lower part of major structures in order to construct a safer tunnel considering various risk factors during the tunnel construction. However, it is difficult to estimate the subsidence behavior of the ground surface due to excavation and needs to be easily predicted. Thus, in this study, when a twin tunnel is constructed in the soft ground, it is proposed a simpler equation relating to the settlement behavior and a corrected formula applicable to soft ground and large diameter shield tunnels based on the previously proposed theory by Peck (1969). For this purpose, it was analyzed to long-term measurement values such as the amount of maximum settlement, the subsidence range by ground conditions, and interference volume loss due to the parallel construction, etc. As a result, a equation was suggested to predict the amount of maximum settlement in the soft sediment clay ground where is located at the upper part of the excavation site. It is turned out that the proposed equation is more suitable for measurement data in Korea than Peck (1969)'s.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.311-320
• /
• 2013

This paper presents the effect of Segment thickness during Shield TBM tunnelling in case study. In order to perform this study, the ground condition developed in the investigation site are reviewed and analysed. It is also carried out the construction problems occurred in the site during Shield TBM tunnelling. Several Segments were broken partially during advance tunnel by jacking pressure. The data surveyed from site are analysed in order to investigate the cause of Segment break. The numerical and analytical evaluations are carried out to examine the effect of Segment behaviour. From the results, it is found that the main causes of Segment break may be the jacking system and Segment thickness. In addition, new jacking technique is suggested to install safely the Segment during advance tunnel by jacking.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.291-300
• /
• 2022

Tunnel boring machines combined with the earth pressure balanced shield method (EPB shield TBMs) have been adopted in urban areas as they allow excavation of tunnels with limited ground deformation through continuous and repetitive excavation and support. Nevertheless, the expansion of TBM construction requires much more minor and exquisitely controlled surface settlement to prevent economic loss. Several parametric studies controlling the tunnel's geometry, ground properties, and TBM operational factors assuming ordinary conditions for EPB shield TBM excavation have been conducted, but the impact of excessive excavation on the induced settlement has not been adequately studied. This study conducted a numerical evaluation of surface settlement induced by the ground loss from face imbalance, excessive excavation, and tail void grouting. The numerical model was constructed using FLAC3D and validated by comparing its result with the field data from literature. Then, parametric studies were conducted by controlling the ground stiffness, face pressure, tail void grouting pressure, and additional volume of muck discharge. As a result, the contribution of these operational factors to the surface settlement appeared differently depending on the ground stiffness. Except for the ground stiffness as the dominant factor, the order of variation of surface settlement was investigated, and the volume of additional muck discharge was found to be the largest, followed by the face pressure and tail void grouting pressure. The results from this study are expected to contribute to the development of settlement prediction models and understanding the surface settlement behavior induced by TBM excavation.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.469-483
• /
• 2018

Steel bars have been widely used as the primary reinforcement for Precast Segmental Concrete Lining for TBM Tunnels. Previously, studies have been carried out to gauge the potential for steel fiber reinforcement to replace the use of steel bar reinforcements in the segmental lining to reduce the amount of the steel bar reinforcement. Steel fiber reinforcements have been investigated and widely applied to SFRC TBM linings to improve the constructability of SFRC TBM linings worldwide. However, the steel fiber reinforcement often caused punctures to the water membranes inside tunnel lining and had long-term durability deterioration issues caused by steel corrosion, as well as cosmetic problems. Therefore, this paper sought to gauge the potential of synthetic fiber reinforcements, which have proven to be very attractive substitutes for steel fiber reinforcements. This study analyzed the performance of both steel and synthetic fiber reinforcements in segmental linings and evaluated the applicability of the fiber reinforcements to the TBM Precast Concrete Segmental Linings of TBM tunnels. As a conclusion, this study demonstrates that the potential use of steel and synthetic fibers in various combination, can substitute the rebar reinforcement in the concrete mix for segmental concrete linings.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.201-209
• /
• 2003

For the purpose of research study, a vertical shaft of 98m in length and 3.05m in diameter was constructed in the layer of conglomerate by using the Raise Boring Machine (RBM). In order to estimate the net penetration rate of the RBM, which can be used in the stage of design, the in-situ test results were analysed and correlated to data from the boring log in situ and laboratory testing. Its average net penetration rate is 2.233mm/rev while its average advance rate is 0.382m/hr, which is lower than that of TBM(Tunnel Boving Machine). It turns out that the net penetration rate increases with the increase of strength characteristics in rock mass (e.g., uniaxial compression strength, tensile strength, etc.). Similarly, the net penetration rate increases linearly with the hardness of rock mass. These results are contrary to the results of the previous construction sites where the TBM was generally used in the layer of hard rock. However, the trend obtained in this study is in accordance with the findings of Barton suggesting the relationship between Q$_TBM$ and penetration rate in the layer of soft rock. Thus, the trend is valid in soft and/or weathered rocks.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.243-254
• /
• 2024

Currently, due to industrial development in domestic regions, buildings are saturated not only in major city centers but also in surrounding urban areas. Accordingly, people's attention has focused on underground spaces, and tunnels are being widely used, especially in urban development. Research on tunnels and tunnel excavation methods is actively underway. However, there is a lack of research on the wear and tear problems of sludge discharge pipes when using a slurry shield TBM. Therefore, in this paper, the L-shaped bend pipe used in the existing sludge discharge pipe was transformed into a T-shaped bend pipe to move sludge. As a result, it was confirmed that compared to the L-shaped bend pipe, the impact of the T-shaped bend pipe on the bend pipe when discharging sludge was reduced. Based on these results, it is expected that wear of the sludge discharge pipe can be minimized by using a T-shaped bend pipe when using slurry shield TBM equipment. This is expected to ultimately lead to economic benefits, such as reducing costs due to replacement of curved pipes or additional welding during tunnel construction.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.305-313
• /
• 2020

The use of cable tunnels for electric power transmission as well as their construction in difficult conditions such as in subsea terrains and large overburden areas has increased. So, in order to efficiently operate the small diameter shield TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine), the estimation of advance rate and development of a design model is necessary. However, due to limited scope of survey and face mapping, it is very difficult to match the rock mass characteristics and TBM operational data in order to achieve their mutual relationships and to develop an advance rate model. Also, the working mechanism of previously utilized linear cutting machine is slightly different than the real excavation mechanism owing to the penetration of a number of disc cutters taking place at the same time in the rock mass in conjunction with rotation of the cutterhead. So, in order to suggest the advance rate and machine design models for small diameter TBMs, an EPB (Earth Pressure Balance) shield TBM having 3.54 m diameter cutterhead was manufactured and 19 cases of full-scale tunneling tests were performed each in 87.5 ㎥ volume of artificial rock mass. The relationships between advance rate and machine data were effectively analyzed by performing the tests in homogeneous rock mass with 70 MPa uniaxial compressive strength according to the TBM operational parameters such as thrust force and RPM of cutterhead. The utilization of the recorded penetration depth and torque values in the development of models is more accurate and realistic since they were derived through real excavation mechanism. The relationships between normal force on single disc cutter and penetration depth as well as between normal force and rolling force were suggested in this study. The prediction of advance rate and design of TBM can be performed in rock mass having 70 MPa strength using these relationships. An effort was made to improve the application of the developed model by applying the FPI (Field Penetration Index) concept which can overcome the limitation of 100% RQD (Rock Quality Designation) in artificial rock mass.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.19-32
• /
• 2011

The risk assessment is essential for tunnel design in order to minimize risks associated with uncertainty about geological conditions and tunneling method. This paper provides a comparative risk analysis of a large single bore TBM driven tunnel against sequentially excavated NATM tunnel for a mixed-face large-diameter urban tunnel project near or under a river. The focus of this assessment is on the risks associated with the tunnel excavation methods, in particular whether a TBM or NATM presents more or less risk to achieve the planned excavation duration and bring the project within the estimated bid price. First, the impacts and risks to tunnel construction under each method were discussed, and the risks were scored and ranked in the order of perceived severity and likelihood. Finally, the assessment from a risk based perspective was conducted to decide which alternate tunneling method is more likely to deliver the project with the least time and cost. It is very important to note that this study is only applied to this tunnel project with specific geological conditions and other contract requirements.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.263-278
• /
• 2022

This paper contains experimental study for the development and performance of TBM backfill material with thixotropic properties. The LW backfill material is widely applied to fill the cavity on the back side of the shield TBM excavation, but has disadvantages such as settlement caused by strength reduction, material separation by groundwater, and reduced plasticity. In this paper, laboratory tests and a model test were conducted to assess the performance of inorganic thixotropic backfill material proposed to improve these problems. The results of laboratory tests show that 1 hr-uniaxial compressive strength of ITB was 12 times higher than LW, and the rate of bleeding of 20 hr was 8.3 times lower, and the result of flow table test was more than 27 times higher. This result indicated that the inorganic thixotropic backfill material has superior properties to LW backfill in terms of strength reduction, material separation, and thixotropy. In the model experiment, a model injection device tester was manufactured and the injection performance and filling rate were verified. When material was injected in the water, it was visually checked whether material separation occurred, and it was confirmed that the filling rate was 96% or more. Comparison results with the test of LW and ITB materials was concluded that ITB can reduce the material separation by groundwater and the occurrence of tunnel cavity.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.15-38
• /
• 2022

Recently, tunnel technology in Korea has shown various achievements such as long tunnel and large section by tunnel construction using TBM in Korea and abroad. Especially subsea tunnels are frequently designed and constructed. The Ga-deok subsea tunnel was completed in December 2010, and the Incheon North Port Tunnel was opened and operated in 2017, and the Bo-ryeong subsea tunnel between Dae-cheon Port and Won-san Island will be completed in 2021. In foreign countries, many subsea tunnels have been constructed and operated in such as Norway and Japan. The main technical problem in the construction of subsea tunnel is to secure stability due to high water pressure conditions and large-scale seawater inflow in fault zones and weak zones. In this paper, various risk factors and solutions are described in the subsea tunnel planning of national road 77 construction work between Abhae and Hwawon.