• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.65-85
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• 2023

The use of TBM (Tunnel boring machine) has increased worldwide due to its performance together with the benefit of being safely and environmentally friendly compared to conventional tunneling. In particular, EPB (Earth Pressure Balanced) TBM is widely used because it can be applied to various grounds compared to Open TBM. Also EPB TBM has a simple mechanical structure and advantages in cost, requires less ground area than Slurry TBM. EPB TBM has advantages in soft ground, and more importantly, can extend its applicability by use of appropriate soil conditioning, which improves mechanical and hydrological properties of excavated soil and increases the excavation performance of EPB TBM. Various studies suggested the proper mixing ratio and injection ratio, but almost they are limited to laboratory test under atmospheric pressure such as slump test. Actual field conditions may differ depending on the ground and mechanical condition. In this study, first the amount of used soil conditioning used in the field with various grounds from hard rock to soft ground was estimated through laboratory tests and compared with the estimate in design stage. And also it was compared with the amount used during actual excavation. In addition, experience of soil conditioning for the problems of cutter head clogging and groundwater inrush that occurred during excavation is discussed. Finally, lesson learned for the use of soil conditioning in difficult ground condition such as mixed ground are reviewed.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.209-222
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• 2024

The Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) shield Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is widely used for underground tunnel construction for its advantages, such as eliminating the need for additional facilities compared to the slurry shield TBM, which requires Slurry Treatment Plant (STP). During EPB shield TBM excavation, a soil conditioning technique is employed to enhance the physical properties of the excavated soil by injecting additives, thus broadening the range of applicable ground conditions to EPB shield TBMs. This study explored the use of xanthan gum, a type of biopolymer, as an alternative to the commonly used polymer additive. Biopolymers, derived from biological sources, are fully biodegradable. In contrast to traditional polymers such as polyacrylic acid, which contain environmentally harmful components, xanthan gum is gaining attention as an eco-friendly material due to its minimal toxicity and environmental impact. Test conditions with similar workability were established through slump tests, and the rheological characteristics were assessed using a laboratory pressurized vane shear test apparatus. The experiments demonstrated that, despite exhibiting similar workability, the peak strength in the flow curve decreased with increasing the content of xanthan gum. Consequently, a correlation between the xanthan gum content and peak strength was established. Replacing the traditional polymers with xanthan gum could enable stable EPB shield TBM operation by reducing equipment load, in addition to offering environmental benefits.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.1069-1077
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• 2015

In tunnel excavation using blast, the wire saw rock cutting method generates a discontinuity perimeter around the center cut, and thus prevents blast vibration propagation to reduce vibration and noise. Therefore, the method is expected to be easy to use and economical compared with other methods. In this paper, the cutting mechanism of wire saw in tunnel excavation is investigated. A model describing the changes in cutting depth and wire saw shape inside a rock during cutting is established and validated for this purpose. Through a simulation using the model, the important characteristics of wire saw cut are investigated, and the influences of cutting conditions, such as wire saw tension, wire saw speed, feed speed, depth, and diameter of boring, on cutting performance are also examined. A method to improve the cutting performance is proposed based on the results.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 2003

This case study which is to make 2-Dimension earth's crust structures clearly is about the great boring-hole blasting to provide ground vibration source of the reflected wave research on the Korean Peninsula earth's crust structures research. For this study we've done blasting twice-500 ㎏/charge per delay, 1,000 ㎏/charge per delay, and the specifications of blasting are the following - dia.: 300 ㎜, boring-depth : 100m, besides, we used the explosives and electric detonators which have sufficient detonating velocity and very excellent safety, capacity of detonating, accurate delay time. We charged explosives into steel pipe with bulk type to avoid dead pressure by ground water. And then we tested about pipe airtight and blasting to certificate which has no problem by using on this study. In the results, we succeeded each blasting in Seosan, Youngdong. For the Peak Sum Vector(PSV) around the blasting at the main points, its real measured PSV is higher 180 % than estimated PSV with USBM. In this study we can't to be analysis of vibration velocity, but to be key providing vibration source.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.451-468
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• 2021

Predicting hazardous ground conditions ahead of a TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunnel face is essential for efficient and stable TBM advance. Although there have been several studies on the electrical resistivity survey method for TBM tunnelling, sufficient experimental data considering TBM advance were not established yet. Therefore, in this study, the laboratory-scale model experiments for simulating TBM excavation were carried out to analyze the applicability of an electrical resistivity survey for predicting hazardous ground conditions ahead of a TBM tunnel face. The trend of electrical resistivity during TBM advance was experimentally evaluated under various hazardous ground conditions (fault zone, seawater intruded zone, soil to rock transition zone, and rock to soil transition zone) ahead of a tunnel face. In the course of the experiments, a scale-down rock ground was provided using granite blocks to simulate the rock TBM tunnelling. Based on the experimental data, the electrical resistivity tends to decrease as the tunnel approaches the fault zone. While the seawater intruded zone follows a similar trend with the fault zone, the resistivity value of the seawater intrude zone decreased significantly compared to that of the fault zone. In case of the soil-to-rock transition zone, the electrical resistivity increases as the TBM approaches the rock with relatively high electrical resistivity. Conversely, in case of the rock-to-soil transition zone, the opposite trend was observed. That is, electrical resistivity decreases as the tunnel face approaches the rock with relatively low electrical resistivity. The experiment results represent that hazardous ground conditions (fault zone, seawater intruded zone, soil-to-rock transition zone, rock-to-soil transition zone) can be efficiently predicted by utilizing an electrical resistivity survey during TBM tunnelling.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.35-45
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• 2018

It is essential to predict ground conditions ahead of the tunnel face during tunnel excavation. Various studies on tunnel prediction method of the ground condition ahead of the tunnel face have already been done and applied to in mechanized tunnelling job sites. So, all the methods used in mechanized tunnelling to predict ground conditions ahead of the tunnel face were reviewed. A questionnaire surveying Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operators with at least 10 years' experience in TBM operation was used to determine the requirements for prediction methods as well as the distance from the tunnel face that must be assessed. Based on the result of questionnaire survey, the most feasible prediction methods applicable to mechanized tunnelling job-sites are suggested. One of the prediction methods applicable to mechanized tunnelling job-sites might be the electrical resistivity survey by utilizing the disk cutter on the cutterhead as electrode. So, in this study, laboratory tests were performed to evaluate the feasibility of prediction method utilizing electrical resistivity survey at mechanized tunnelling job-sites. It was found that geological condition ahead of 0.3 times of TBM's diameter from tunnel face could be predicted.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.39-47
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• 2003

Rockbursts are mainly caused by a sudden release or the stored strain energy in the rock mass. They have been the major hazard in deep hard rock mines but rarely occur in tunnels. Due to the short history and limited information on rockbursts, the topic has rarely been studied in Korea. Some cases of rockbursts, however, have been reported during construction of a mountain tunnel for waterway. This study focuses on analyzing data on rockbursts obtained from a TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunnel and suggests methods for a comprehensive understanding on rockbursts. From the analysis of the field data of rockbursts, it was found that most rockbursts mainly occurred at the section between the tunnel face and the TBM operating room, and the rock bursting phenomena lasted up to 20 days after excavation in certain areas. The data also show that the bursting spots are located all around the tunnel surface including the face, the wall, and the roof, The maximum size of bursting spots is usually less than 100cm. This study also suggests new scale systems of brittleness and uniaxial compressive strength to evaluate the possible tendency for a rockburst. These systems are scaled based on the scale system of strain energy density. In addition, with these scale systems, this research shows that there are potentially higher tendencies for rockbursts in this specific tunnel. Moreover this research suggests that properties of rock and rock mass, RMR (Rock Mass Rating) value, tunneling method, excavating speed, and depth of tunnel have a strong correlation with rockbursts.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.214-220
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• 2003

Pipe jacking is a name for a method to excavate a tunnel by pushing pipe into the ground from an especial pit. Size of tunnels in this method is different from under 900mm (microtunneling) to more than 3,000mm. Method of excavation is also different from hand digging to use of any kind of tunnel boring machines such as slurry and earth pressure balance (EPB) machines. Slurry pipe jacking was firmly established as a special method for the nondisruptive construction of the underground tunnels in urban area. During the pipe jacking and microtunneling process, the jacking load is an important parameter, controlling the pipe wall thickness, need to and location of intermediate jacking station, selection of jacking frame and lubrication requirements. The main component of the jacking load is due to frictional resistance. In this paper the skin friction between pipe surface and surrounding condition also lubricant quality based on a few fundamental tests, were considered. During this study unconfined compressive strength test, dynamic friction measurement test and direct shear box test were raised for one of the largest diameter slurry pipe jacking project in Fujisawa city in Japan. It could be concluded that in slurry pipe jacking, prediction of frictional forces are mainly dependent on successful lubrication, its quality and lubricant strength parameters. Conclusions from this study can be used for the same experiences.

• 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.

• 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.