• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2010.09a
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• pp.1358-1365
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• 2010

A case study deals with Squeezing behavior under tunneling. Squeezing stands for large time-dependent convergence during tunnel excavation. Squeezing can occur in both rock and soil as long as the particular combination of induced stresses and material properties pushes some zone around the tunnel beyond the limiting shear stress at which creep starts. Under squeezing rock conditions, If the support installation is delayed the rock mass moves into the tunnel and a stress redistribution takes place around it. On the contrary, if deformation is restrained, squeezing will lead to long-term load build-up of rock support. This paper shows analysis case mutually with monitoring and numerical analysis result of squeezing behavior of Pinglin tunnel in Taiwan.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.245-259
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• 2003

Refering to the articles "Squeezing rocks in tunnels(Barla, 1995)" and "Tunnelling under squeezing rock conditions(Barla 2002)" this article deals with technologies for design, stability analysis and construction of the tunnel being driven in the squeezing rock mass. The definition of this type of behavior was proposed by ISRM(1994). The identification and quantification of squeezing is given according to both the empirical and semi-empirical methods available to anticipate the potential of squeezing problems in tunnelling. Based on the experiences and lessons learned in recent years, the state of the art in modem construction methods was reported, when dealing with squeezing rock masses by either conventional or mechanical excavation methods. The closed-form solutions available for the analysis of the rock mass response during tunnel excavation are described in terms of the ground characteristic line and with reference to some elasto-plastic models for the given rock mass. Finally numerical methods were used for the simulation of different models and for design analysis of complex excavation and support systems, including three-dimensional conditions in order to quantify the influence of the advancing tunnel face to the deformation behavior of the tunnel.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.215-224
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• 2019

Excavation of long tunnels by shielded TBMs is a safe, fast, and efficient method of tunneling that mitigates many risks related to ground conditions. However, long-distance tunneling in great depth through adverse geological conditions brings about limitations in the application of TBMs. Among various harsh geological conditions, squeezing ground as a consequence of tunnel wall and face convergence could lead to cluttered blocking, shield jamming and in some cases failure in the support system. These issues or a combination of them could seriously hinder the performance of TBMs. The technique of excavation has a strong influence on the tunnel response when it is excavated under squeezing conditions. The Golab water conveyance tunnel was excavated by a double-shield TBM. This tunnel passes mainly through metamorphic weak rocks with up to 650 m overburden. These metamorphic rocks (Shales, Slates, Phyllites and Schists) together with some fault zones are incapable of sustaining high tangential stresses. Prediction of the convergence, estimation of the creeping effects and presenting strategies to overcome the squeezing ground are regarded as challenging tasks for the tunneling engineer. In this paper, the squeezing potential of the rock mass is investigated in specific regions by dint of numerical and analytical methods. Subsequently, several operational solutions which were conducted to counteract the challenges are explained in detail.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.09a
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• pp.584-590
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• 2009

One of the critical design problems involved in deep tunnelling in brittle rock, is the creation of surface spalling damage and breakouts. If weak fault zone is developed in deep tunnel, squeezing problem is added to the problems. According to the results of ground investigation in the study area, hard granitic rockmass and distinguished high angle fault zone are distributed on the tunnel level over 400m depth. To analyse the probability of brittle failure and squeezing, ground characterization with special lab. and field test were carried out. By the results, probability of brittle failures like spalling and rock burst is very low. But squeezing may be probable, if weak fault zone observed surface and drill core is extended to designed tunnel level.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.11-26
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• 2022

One of the most important issues in tunneling, is the squeezing phenomenon. Squeezing can occur during excavation or after the construction of tunnels, which in both cases could lead to significant damages. Therefore, it is important to predict the squeezing and consider it in the early design stage of tunnel construction. Different empirical, semi-empirical and theoretical-analytical methods have been presented to determine the squeezing. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the ability of each of these methods and identify the best method among them. In this study, squeezing in a part of the Alborz service tunnel in Iran was estimated through a number of empirical, semi- empirical and theoretical-analytical methods. Among these methods, the most robust model was used to obtain a database including 300 data for training and 33 data for testing in order to develop a machine learning (ML) method. To this end, three ML models of Gaussian process regression (GPR), artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector regression (SVR) were trained and tested to propose a robust model to predict the squeezing phenomenon. A comparative analysis between the conventional and the ML methods utilized in this study showed that, the GPR model is the most robust model in the prediction of squeezing phenomenon. The sensitivity analysis of the input parameters using the mutual information test (MIT) method showed that, the most sensitive parameter on the squeezing phenomenon is the tangential strain (ε_θ^α) parameter with a sensitivity score of 2.18. Finally, the GPR model was recommended to predict the squeezing phenomenon in tunneling projects. This work's significance is that it can provide a good estimation of the squeezing phenomenon in tunneling projects, based on which geotechnical engineers can take the necessary actions to deal with it in the pre-construction designs.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2022

Tunneling in rocks having the time-dependent behavior, causes some difficulties like tunnel convergence and, as a result, pressure on concrete lining; and so instability on this structure. In this paper the time-dependent behaviour of squeezing phenomenon in a large cross section tunnel was investigated as a case study: Alborz tunnel. Then, time-dependent behaviour of Alborz tunnel was evaluated using FLAC2D based on the finite difference numerical method. A Burger-creep viscoelastic model was used in numerical analysis. Using numerical analysis, the long-time effect of squeezing on lining stability was simulated.This study is done for primary lining (for 2 years) and permanent lining (for 100 years), under squeezing situations. The response of lining is discussed base on Thrust Force-Bending Moment and Thrust Force-Shear Force diagrams analysing. The results determined the importance of consideration of time-dependent behaviour of tunnel that structural forces in concrete lining will grow in consider with time pass and after 70 years can cause instability in creepy rock masses section of tunnel. To show the importance of time-dependent behavior consideration of rocks, elastic and Mohr-Coulomb models are evaluated at the end.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1993.03a
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• pp.9-14
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• 1993

Practical solutions that are available today for assessing stability of tunnel working face are largely based on the concept of critical stability ratio. The accuracy of a prediction of the soil behavior in the working face, thus, depends on the ability of the solution to completely and accurately describe the stress fields or kinematics generated by the excavation and the accuracy of the undrained shear strength of the soil introduced in the computation. This paper reviews the selected solutions describing stability of the tunnel heading in squeezing ground, and suggests a reference solution which is established based on comparison of the solutions and field data on stability of tunnel headings in clays. Although dealing with the shear strength determination is an important companion part of the geotechnical prediction for stability of the tunnel heading in clays, this part is beyond the scope of this paper at this time.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.557-568
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• 2016

Squeezing is a phenomenon that may occur in deep tunneling and could bring about a large plastic deformation, tunnel closure and collapse of tunnel supports. Therefore, quantitative estimations of deformation and stress from squeezing and its possibility are necessary for establishment of a rational tunneling method. This study carried out three dimensional numerical analyses using a strain softening model in order to simulate the behaviour of squeezing and to estimate deformation and yield area around tunnels quantitatively. Numerical analyses were performed for 42 cases of various stress and strength conditions. As a result, the maximum tangential stress and strength of rock mass ratio could estimate plastic deformation and yield depth around tunnels and equations of relations between them were proposed.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.509-518
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• 2020

Multi-layered primary linings have been proved to be highly effective for tunneling in severe squeezing grounds. But there still has not existed well-established design method for it. Basically, there are two main critical problems in this method, including determinations of allowable deformation and distribution of support stiffness. In order to address such problems, an attempt to investigate the mechanical response of a circular tunnel with double primary linings is performed in this paper. Analytical solutions in closed form for stresses and displacements around tunnels are derived. In addition, the effectiveness and reliability of theoretical formulas provided are well validated by using the numerical method. Finally, based on the analytical solutions, a parametric investigation on the effects of allowable deformation and distribution of support stiffness on tunnel performance is conducted. Results show that the rock pressure and displacement are significantly affected by these two design parameters. It can be found that rock pressure decreases as either allowable deformation increases or stiffness of the first primary lining decreases, but rock displacement shows an opposite trend. This paper can provide a useful guidance for the design of multi-layered primary linings.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.171-178
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• 2020

Mountainous areas cover more than 70% of Korea. With the rapid increase in tunnel construction, tunnel-collapse incidents and excessive deformation are occurring more frequently. In addition, longer tunnel structures are being constructed, and geologically weaker ground conditions are increasingly being encountered during the construction process. Tunnels constructed under weak ground conditions exhibit long-term deformation behavior that leads to tunnel instability. This study analyzes the behavior of the bottom region of tunnels under geological conditions of long-term deformation. Long-term deformation causes various types of damage, such as cracks and ridges in the packing part of tunnels, as well as cracks and upheavals in the pavement of tunnels. We observed rapid tunnel over-displacement due to the squeezing of a fault rupture zone after the inflow of a large amount of groundwater. Excessive increments in the support member strength resulted in damage to the support and tunnel bottom. In addition, upward infiltration pressure on the tunnel road was found to cause severe pavement damage. Furthermore, smectite (a highly expandable mineral), chlorite, illite, and hematite, were also observed. Soil samples and rock samples containing clay minerals were found to have greater expansibility than general soil samples. Considering these findings, countermeasures against the deformation of tunnel bottoms are required.