• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2008

Mechanical excavation techniques employing tunnel boring machines (TBM) and rock splitters have been proposed to minimize rock damage for tunnel and underground waste repository facilities. Such a mechanical excavation, however, is extremely expensive and not applicable in all cases. For these reasons, controlled blasting using notched charge holes have been suggested to achieve crack growth along specific directions and inhibit growth along other directions. This study introduces a dynamic fracture process analysis code to simulate fracture processes of rock which has a notched charge hole.

• 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.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2021

As the era of Industry 4.0 arrives, the researches using artificial intelligence in the field of rock engineering as well have increased. For a better understanding and availability of AI, this paper analyzed the types of algorithms and how to apply them to the research papers where AI is applied among domestic and international studies related to tunnels, blasting and mines that are major objects in which rock engineering techniques are applied. The analysis results show that the main specific fields in which AI is applied are rock mass classification and prediction of TBM advance rate as well as geological condition ahead of TBM in a tunnel field, prediction of fragmentation and flyrock in a blasting field, and the evaluation of subsidence risk in abandoned mines. Of various AI algorithms, an artificial neural network is overwhelmingly applied among investigated fields. To enhance the credibility and accuracy of a study result, an accurate and thorough understanding on AI algorithms that a researcher wants to use is essential, and it is expected that to solve various problems in the rock engineering fields which have difficulty in approaching or analyzing at present, research ideas using not only machine learning but also deep learning such as CNN or RNN will increase.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.281-291
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• 2019

In Overseas case, most tunnels in under are or through the river are constructed with shield TBM and the manufacturer orders of related equipment suitable for the project are mode. Accordingly, the client provides the specifications required for the equipment manufacture. In addition, TBM equipment has been operated by those who have completed the expert training program, which for minimizing the risk of equipment operation in construction field corresponding to the mechanized construction. However, in Korea, such a system related to above the program and specifications has not yet been built, which is causing a lot of difficulties in construction field. Therefore, this study investigated the differences in bidding guides provided by mechanized construction in domestic and abroad, and the professional education programs for expert training being conducted from overseas. Futhermore, we will propose the guidelines of essential equipment specification contained in domestic bidding and provide the necessary manual for the professional education program for TBM as the mechanized construction method.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.183-198
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• 2021

The EPB (Earth Pressure Balanced) shield TBM method restrains the ground deformation through continuous excavation and support. Still, the significant surface settlement occurs due to the ground conditions, tunnel dimensions, and construction conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the settlement behavior with its influence factors and evaluate the possible settlement during construction. In this study, the analytical model of surface settlement based on the influence factors and their mechanisms were proposed. Then, the parametric study for controllable factors during excavation was conducted by numerical method. Through the numerical analysis, the settlement behavior according to the construction conditions was quantitatively derived. Then, the qualitative trend according to the ground conditions was visualized by coupling the numerical results with the analytical model of settlement. Based on the results of this study, it is expected to contribute to the derivation of the settlement prediction algorithm for EPB shield TBM excavation.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.17 no.3 s.68
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• pp.225-233
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• 2007

Because of Norwegian topography as valleys and fjords, a large number of tunnels has been built and 59 of them have been excavated by TBM for last 30 years. Prognosis technology has been developed and improved through lots of TBM experiences, and the NTNU prediction model has been completed. This paper focuses the improvement of net penetration rate and advance rate in 14 Norwegian and 4 Koran TBM tunnelling sites of which data were reported. Through this period, net penetration rate as well as advance rate were increased to double with the improvement of disc cutter size and cutter arrangement in Norway. These rates in Korea were also increased for 15 years even though the rates were lower compared to Norwegian. It is estimated that these low rates were mainly caused by using disc cutters less than 17 inch diameter. It is expected that net penetration rate and advance rate can be increased by improvement of machine and tunnelling technology, especially by using 17 or 19 inch of the disc cutter size in the Korean full face mechanical tunnelling site.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.839-854
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• 2018

This study was performed to evaluate the performance of GFRP plate reinforced segments for TBM tunnel support. Recently, the SFRC segment has been applied to prevent local damage such as reduction of the amount of reinforcing bars of the segment, crack control and breakage. However, the steel fiber used in the SFRC segment has a problem of durability deterioration due to fiber corrosion. Compared with the RC segment, the maximum flexural load reduction of the SFRC segment hinders the broad application range of the TBM tunnel segment. Therefore, GFRP plate was considered as a stiffener for the maximum load increase of SFRC segment, and structural synthetic fiber without corrosive concern was used as a substitute for steel fiber. The flexural performance of the segment was evaluated by using the type of reinforcing fiber and GFRP plate thickness as the main parameters. As a result, the maximum load and the flexural toughness were increased by 21.78~23.03% and 0.5~7.96%, respectively, as compared with the segments reinforced with reinforcing fiber and GFRP plate of 3 mm thickness.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.323-339
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• 2024

If the pressure exerted on the face of a tunnel excavated by TBM exceeds a threshold, it leads to failure of the soil or rock masses ahead of the tunnel face, which results in heaving the ground surface. In the current research, the upper bound method of limit analysis was employed to calculate the blow-out pressure of tunnels excavated in rock masses obeying the Hoek-Brown nonlinear criterion. The results of the proposed method were compared with three-dimensional finite element models, as well as the available methods in the literature. The results show that when σ_ci, m_i, and GSI increase, the blow-out pressure increases as well. By doubling the tunnel diameter, the blow-out pressure reduces up to 54.6%. Also, by doubling the height of the tunnel cover and the surcharge pressure exerted on the ground surface above the tunnel, the blow-out pressure increased up to 74.9% and 5.4%, respectively. With 35% increase in the unit weight of the rock mass surrounding the tunnel, the blow-out pressure increases in the range of 14.8% to 19.6%. The results of the present study were provided in simple design graphs that can easily be used in practical applications in order to obtain the blow-out pressure.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.201-209
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• 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
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.623-641
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• 2020

About 5 km length of tunnels were constructed by mechanized tunnelling method using closed type shield TBM. In order to avoid construction delay problems for ensuring timely electricity transmission, it is necessary to increase the prediction accuracy of the excavation process involving machines according to rock mass types. This is important to corroborate the project duration and optimum operation for various considerations involved in the machine. So, full-scale tunnelling tests were performed for developing the advance rate model to be appropriately used for 3.6 m diameter shield TBM. About 100 test cases were established and performed using various operational parameters such as thrust force and rotational speed of cuttterhead in representative uniaxial compressive strengths. Accordingly, relationships between normal force and penetration depth and, between UCS and torque were suggested which consider UCS and thrust force conditions according to weathered, soft, hard rocks. Capacity analysis of cutterhead was performed and optimum operational conditions were also suggested based on the developed model. Based on this study, it can be expected that the project construction duration can be reduced and users can benefit from the provision of earlier service.