• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2024

The development of shield-driven cross-river tunnels in China is witnessing a notable shift towards larger diameters, longer distances, and higher water pressures due to the more complex excavation environment. Complex geological formations, such as fault and karst cavities, pose significant construction risks. Real-time adjustment of shield tunneling parameters based on parameter prediction is the key to ensuring the safety and efficiency of shield tunneling. In this study, prediction models for the torque and thrust of the cutter plate of ultra-large diameter slurry shield TBMs is established based on integrated learning algorithms, by analyzing the real data of Heyan Road cross-river tunnel. The influence of geological complexities at the excavation face, substantial burial depth, and high water level on the slurry shield tunneling parameters are considered in the models. The results reveal that the predictive models established by applying Random Forest and AdaBoost algorithms exhibit strong agreement with actual data, which indicates that the good adaptability and predictive accuracy of these two models. The models proposed in this study can be applied in the real-time prediction and adaptive adjustment of the tunneling parameters for shield tunneling under complex geological conditions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.59-79
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• 2006

The successful execution of shield tunnelling depends on the cutting ability of cutter. So the selection of shape, size and material of cutter according to geology condition is important work. Since shield tunnelling method was first invented in 1881, the cutting tool for rock has been developed owing to various experiments and researches, the study for soil, however, is insufficient. This paper introduces the shield tunnelling that will be carried out on weathered rock section (920m) of Seoul Subway Line 7 Extension C703. The shape and the material of cutter are discussed required for execution without replacement of cutter tool as well as for advance of excavation efficiency. In addition the estimation method of cutter abrasion in case of excavation on weathered soil is proposed and verified. Specially, the coefficient of abrasion for different soil and cutter is proposed by means of investigation into construction example of foreign country.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.196-206
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• 2003

In order to investigate the workability of Raise Boring Machine(RBM) such as utilization, penetration rate and advance rate, a vertical shaft of 98 m in length and 3.05 m in diameter was constructed in the layer of conglomerate by using the RBM in this study. In addition, field data from tow different construction sites including water-pump power plant tunnel, roadway tunnel and mining tunnel by RBM were collected and analyzed. The results show that the average weekly bored length is 19.3 m and its average utilization is between 54.3 % and 75.1 % very higher than that of the TBM(Tunnel Boring Machine). It also turns out that the bit force increases linearly with respect to the increase of the RPM(revolution per minute) of RBM. However, the net penetration rate decreases with the increase of bit force, RPM of RBM and depth of shaft. The findings of this study can be used to provide the useful information for the design of shaft and the selection of RBM.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2019

A case study of monitoring and analysis of surface settlement induced by tunneling of Tabriz metro line 2 (TML2) is presented in this paper. The TML2 single tunnel has been excavated using earth pressure balanced TBM with a cutting-wheel diameter of 9.49 m since 2015. Presented measurements of surface settlements, were collected during the construction of western part of the project (between west depot and S02 station) where the tunnel was being excavated in sand and silt, below the water table and at an average axis depth of about 16 m. Settlement readings were back-analyzed using Gaussian formula, both in longitudinal and transversal directions, in order to estimate volume loss and settlement trough width factor. In addition to settlements, face support and tail grouting pressures were monitored, providing a comprehensive description of the EPB performance. Using the gap model, volume loss prediction was carried out. Also, COB empirical method for determination of the face pressure was employed in order to compare with field monitored data. Likewise, FE simulation was used in various sections employing the code Simulia ABAQUS, to investigate the efficiency of numerical modelling for the estimating of the tunneling induced-surface settlements under such a geotechnical condition. In this regard, the main aspects of a mechanized excavation were simulated. For the studied sections, numerical simulation is not capable of reproducing the high values of in-situ-measured surface settlements, applying Mohr-Coulomb constitutive law for soil. Based on results, for the mentioned case study, the range of estimated volume loss mostly varies from 0.2% to 0.7%, having an average value of 0.45%.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.148-156
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• 2019

In urban area, the use of mechanical excavators (e.g., TBM and roadheader) has been increasing in construction of tunnelling and underground space. The undercutting technology, which is modified from the conventional rock-cutting concept, has been developed by advanced countries. Therefore, research on the latest technology of mechanical excavation is required, and keeping carrying out research on conventional mechanical tunneling methods at the same time. In this study, as a fundamental study of the undercutting technique, the principle and concept of the undercutting were introduced, as well as the current status of the research of advanced countries. The undercutting is applicable as a full-face excavation method for the tunnels and underground spaces, as well as an auxiliary(partial-face excavation) method for extension of the existing tunnels.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.103-113
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• 2023

This study focused on understanding the relationship between the design of a tunnel boring machine disc cutter ring and its rock-breaking efficiency, as well as the applicable conditions of different cutter ring types. The discrete element method was used to establish a numerical model of the rock-breaking process using disc cutters with different ring types to reveal the development of rock damage cracks and variation in cutter penetration load. The calculation results indicate that a sharp-edged (V-shaped) disc cutter penetrates a rock mass to a given depth with the lowest load, resulting in more intermediate cracks and few lateral cracks, which leads to difficulty in crack combination. Furthermore, the poor wear resistance of a conventional V-shaped cutter can lead to an exponential increase in the penetration load after cutter ring wear. In contrast, constant-cross-section (CCS) disc cutters have the highest quantity of crack extensions after penetrating rock, but also require the highest penetration loads. An arch-edged (U-shaped) disc cutter is more moderate than the aforementioned types with sufficient intermediate and lateral crack propagation after cutting into rock under a suitable penetration load. Additionally, we found that the cutter ring wedge angle and edge width heavily influence cutter rock-breaking efficiency and that a disc cutter with a 16 to 22 mm edge width and 20° to 30° wedge angle exhibits high performance. Compared to V-shaped and U-shaped cutters, the CCS cutter is more suitable for soft or medium-strength rocks, where the penetration load is relatively small. Additionally, two typical case studies were selected to verify that replacing a CCS cutter with a U-shaped or optimized V-shaped disc cutter can increase cutting efficiency when encountering hard rocks.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1073-1090
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• 2018

Since the domestic utility tunnels were built mainly in the development project of the new city, they are all in the form of cut-and-cover box tunnel. But, in the case of overseas construction of utility tunnels for existing urban areas, the bored tunnel types are mainly adopted. It is reasonable to install bored tunnels in a downtown area because it is difficult to block the roads or install bypass roads due to heavy traffic and civil complaints. In order to activate the utility tunnels in bored type, it is necessary to secure optimized cross-sectional design technology considering the optimal supplying capacity and mutual influencing factors (Thermal Interference, electrolytic corrosion, efficiency of the maintenance, etc.) of utilities (power cables, telecommunication cables, water pipes, etc.). The optimal cross-section design method for bored utility tunnels is ultimately to derive the optimal arrangement technique for the utilities. In order to develop the design methods, firstly, the cases of tunnel cross-section (Shield TBM, Conventional Tunneling) in overseas shall be investigated to analyze the characteristics of the installation of utilities in the section and installation of auxiliary facilities, It is necessary to sort out and analyze the criteria related to the inner cross-section design (arrangement) presented in the standards and guidelines.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.428-441
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• 2013

Nowadays, a roadheader as a mechanical excavator is in high demand, especially for mines under various conditions and tunnels where TBMs are inapplicable. However, the records of roadheaders in Korea are seldom reported. Moreover, the number of countries with their intrinsic design and manufacturing technologies of roadheaders is very limited. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the excavation principles of roadheader as well as its key design parameters for its optimized selection and design. In addition, the database with 143 world-widely collected roadheader design data was built, and a few statistical correlations were derived from it. A schematic procedure for roadheader design based on the database was also proposed.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.583-603
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• 2023

Recently, the advancement of mechanical tunnel boring machine (TBM) technology and the characteristics of subsea railway tunnels subjected to hydrostatic pressure have led to the widespread application of shield TBM methods in the design and construction of subsea railway tunnels. Subsea railway tunnels are exposed in a constant pore water pressure and are influenced by the amplification of seismic waves during earthquake. In particular, seismic loads acting on subsea railway tunnels under various ground conditions such as soft ground, soft soil-rock composite ground, and fractured zones can cause significant changes in tunnel displacement and stress, thereby affecting tunnel safety. Additionally, the dynamic response of the ground and tunnel varies based on seismic load parameters such as frequency characteristics, seismic waveform, and peak acceleration, adding complexity to the behavior of the ground-tunnel structure system. In this study, a finite difference method is employed to model the entire ground-tunnel structure system, considering hydrostatic pressure, for the investigation of dynamic behavior of subsea railway tunnel during earthquake. Since the key factors influencing the dynamic behavior during seismic events are ground conditions and seismic waves, six analysis cases are established based on virtual ground conditions: Case-1 with weathered soil, Case-2 with hard rock, Case-3 with a composite ground of soil and hard rock in the tunnel longitudinal direction, Case-4 with the tunnel passing through a narrow fault zone, Case-5 with a composite ground of soft soil and hard rock in the tunnel longitudinal direction, and Case-6 with the tunnel passing through a wide fractured zone. As a result, horizontal displacements due to earthquakes tend to increase with an increase in ground stiffness, however, the displacements tend to be restrained due to the confining effects of the ground and the rigid shield segments. On the contrary, peak compressive stress of segment significantly increases with weaker ground stiffness and the effects of displacement restrain contribute the increase of peak compressive stress of segment.

• Magazine of korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.101-112
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• 2019

This case study presented a simplified failure mechanism approach used as a preliminary deformation prediction for the Mexico City's metro system expansion. Because of the Mexico City's difficult subsoils, Line 12 project was considered one of the most challenging projects in Mexico. Mexico City's subsurface conditions can be described as a multilayered stratigraphy changing from soft high plastic clays to dense to very dense cemented sands. The Line 12 trajectory crossed all three main geotechnical Zones in Mexico City. Starting from to west of the City, Line 12 was projected to pass through very dense cemented sands corresponding to the Foothills zone changing to the Transition zone and finalizing in the Lake zone. Due to the change in the subsurface conditions, different constructions methods were implemented including the use of TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine), the NATM (New Austrian Tunneling Method), and cut-and-cover using braced Diaphragm walls for the underground section of the project. Preliminary crown and excavation front deformations were determined using a simplified failure mechanism prior to performing finite element modeling and analysis. Results showed corresponding deformations for the crown and the excavation front to be 3.5cm (1.4in) and 6cm (2.4in), respectively. Considering the complexity of Mexico City's difficult subsoil formation, construction method selection becomes a challenge to overcome. The use of a preliminary results in order to have a notion of possible deformations prior to advanced modeling and analysis could be beneficial and helpful to select possible construction procedures.