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

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

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.62-69
• /
• 2004

The objective of this study is to estimate the distribution of a zone disturbed by excavation (EDZ) around tunnels that have been excavated at about 500 m depth in pre-Tertiary hard sedimentary rock. One of the most important tasks is to evaluate changes in the dynamic stability and permeability of the rock around the tunnels, by investigating the properties of the rock after the excavation. We performed resistivity and acoustic tomography using two boreholes, 5 m in length, drilled horizontally from the wall of a tunnel in pre-Tertiary hard conglomerate. By these methods, we detected a low-resistivity and low-velocity zone 1 m in thickness around the wall of the tunnel. The resulting profiles were verified by permeability and evaporation tests performed at the same boreholes. This anomalous zone matched a high-permeability zone caused by open fractures. Next, we performed resistivity monitoring along annular survey lines in a tunnel excavated in pre-Tertiary hard shale by a tunnel-boring machine (TBM). We detected anomalous zones in 2D resistivity profiles surrounding the tunnel. A low-resistivity zone 1 m in thickness was detected around the tunnel when one year had passed after the excavation. However, two years later, the resistivity around the tunnel had increased in a portion, about 30 cm in thickness, of this zone. To investigate this change, we studied the relationship between groundwater flow from the surroundings and evaporation from the wall around the tunnel. These features were verified by the relationship between the resistivity and porosity of rocks obtained by laboratory tests on core samples. Furthermore, the profiles matched well with highly permeable zones detected by permeability and evaporation tests at a horizontal borehole drilled near the survey line. We conclude that the anomalous zones in these profiles indicate the EDZ around the tunnel.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.255-280
• /
• 2024

If there are concerns about the stability of segment lining due to section deficiency or large deformation in shield TBM tunnel, reinforcement can be done through ground grouting outside the tunnel or by using steel plate reinforcement, ring beam reinforcement, or inner double layer lining inside the tunnel. Traditional analyses of shield TBM tunnels have been conducted using a continuum method that does not consider the segmented nature of segment lining. This study investigates the reinforcement mechanism for double layer reinforced sections with internal steel linings. By improving the modeling of segment lining, this study applies Break-joint mode (BJM), which considers the segmented characteristics of segment lining, to analyze the deformation characteristics of double layer reinforced sections. The results indicate that the existing concrete segment lining functioned similarly to ground reinforcement around the tunnel, rather than distribution the load. In general, both the BJM model considering the segmentation of segment lining and the continuum rigid method were similar deformation shapes and stress distributions of the lining under load. However, in terms of deformation, when the load strength exceeded the threshold, the deformation patterns of the two models differed.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.931-946
• /
• 2018

In line with the increased usability of utility pipe conduits in urban areas, construction and R&D activities of utility tunnel, incorporated with the shield TBM method, are actively under way. The utility tunnels are installed through underground excavation, and thus are relatively weak in terms of construction safety. However, hazards associated with the utility tunnel construction have not been properly identified, despite the introduction of a policy to the 'Design for Safety' for the purpose of reducing accident rates in the construction industry. Therefore, in this study, following the derivation of hazards associated with utility tunnel, these hazards were then used as the basis to uncover key safety hazards requiring extensive management in a field, which were then used to conduct a risk assessment having applied the matrix method so that the results can be utilized in risk assessment during the stages of utility tunnel planning, design, and construction, while also serving as a data reference.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.121-139
• /
• 2023

Various tunnels such as road, subway, and railway are under construction and operation. Various types of linings are used for structural stability of tunnel structures, and concrete segment linings are mainly installed in TBM tunnel construction. In this paper, when a fire occurs in a tunnel, the impact on the concrete segment lining, which is the structure in the tunnel, and related standards, fire resistance evaluation and fire resistance method are investigated through literature review and related contents are presented. Through this, it is intended to provide an information for practitioners to secure the safety of concrete segment linings against tunnel fires.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.39-58
• /
• 2024

Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) use multiple disc cutters to excavate tunnels through rock. These cutters wear out due to continuous contact and friction with the rock, leading to decreased cutting efficiency and reduced excavation performance. The rock's abrasivity significantly affects cutter wear, with highly abrasive rocks causing more wear and reducing the cutter's lifespan. The Cerchar Abrasivity Index (CAI) is a key indicator for assessing rock abrasivity, essential for predicting disc cutter life and performance. This study aims to develop a new method for effectively estimating CAI using rock strength, petrological characteristics, linear regression, and machine learning. A database including CAI, uniaxial compressive strength, Brazilian tensile strength, and equivalent quartz content was created, with additional derived variables. Variables for multiple linear regression were selected considering statistical significance and multicollinearity, while machine learning model inputs were chosen based on variable importance. Among the machine learning prediction models, the Gradient Boosting model showed the highest predictive performance. Finally, the predictive performance of the multiple linear regression analysis and the Gradient Boosting model derived in this study were compared with the CAI prediction models of previous studies to validate the results of this research.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
• /
• 2004.10a
• /
• pp.308-327
• /
• 2004

As use of tunnels and subways increase there also are accidents proportionate to it. Daegu Subway Station fire, Hongjimoon tunnel fire led people to be conscious of disaster protection and as a result, there is a trend to adopt standards for fire protection. Accordingly, this thesis is focused on investigating various fire and water protection related issues for subaqueous tunnel under Ran river. The thesis developed evacuation and disaster prevention plan as fire level increases and have identified the suitability of disaster prevention through evacuation and fire simulation, countermeasure of a water leakage during construction and operation considering the subaqueous tunnel. And we selected EPB shield TBM equipment considering the ground condition and effect of boring hole, and accomplished reasonable water protection design through setting goals using event-tree method, as well as examining model test of boring hole and flooding in heavy rain. Also included structured total system consist of water leakage sensing system, water protection gate, pumping system and fire protection system to respond systematically in emergency.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.99-118
• /
• 2018

Recently, the limit state design method in the design of the structure is in global trend, but it is limited to a few structures in Korea. Since the introduction of the limit state design method has recently been attempted for tunnels, which are the main underground structures, it is surely necessary to understand the latest limit state design method. Therefore, based on the recently published AASHTO LRFD Road Tunnel Design and Construction Guide Specification (2017), structural load factors and load combinations were reviewed, and various factors which should be applied for the review of structures have been analyzed. In this study, utility tunnel section and subway tunnel sections used in Korea were analyzed by the limit state design method, and we have analyzed the direction of application of limit state design method through studying the tendency of member force by various influential factors such as ground conditions, load modifier and joint stiffness.

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