• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.189-206
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• 2003

During tunnel excavation in urban area a systematic monitoring is important for the purpose of determination of support type and quantity, as well as for the control of stability of both surface structures and the tunnel itself due to the frequently, and in many cases, abruptly changing ground condition. In Austria absolute displacement monitoring methods have replaced relative displacement measurements by geodetic methods to a large extent. Prompt detection of weak ground ahead of the tunnel face as well as better adjustment of excavation and support to the geotechnical conditions is possible with the help of the improved methods of data evaluation on sites. Deformation response of the ground to excavation starts ahead of the tunnel face, therefore, the deformation and state of the tunnel advance core is the key factor of the whole deformation process after excavation. In other words, the rigidity and state of the advance core play a determining role in the stability of both surface structures and the tunnel itself. This paper presents the results from detailed three-dimensional numerical studies, exploring vertical displacements, vector orientations and extrusions on tunnel face during the progressive advancement for the shallow tunnel in various geotechnical conditions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.423-435
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• 2022

Ground vibration generated repeatedly in blasting tunnel excavation sites is known to be one of the major hazards induced by blasting operations. Various studies have been conducted to minimize these hazards, both theoretical and empirical methods using electronic detonator, the deck charge method, the center-cut method among others Among these various existing methods for controlling the ground vibration, in this study, we investigated the cut method. In particular, we analyzed and compared the V-cut method, which is commonly used in tunnel blasting, to the double-drilled parallel method, which has recently been introduced in tunnel excavation site. To understand the rock fragmentation efficiency as well as the ground vibration controllability of the two methods, we performed in-situ field blasting tests with both cut methods at a tunnel excavation site. Additionally, numerical analysis by FLAC3D has been executed for a better understanding of fracture propagation pattern and ground vibration generation by each cut method. Ground vibration levels, by PPVs measured in field blasting tests and PPVs estimated in numerical simulations, showed a lower value in the double-drilled parallel compared with the V-cut method, although the exact values are quite different in field measurement and numerical estimation.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.179-191
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• 2023

To study the influences of tunneling on the earth pressure and ground settlement when the tunnel passes through the adjacent underground retaining structure, 30 two-dimensional model tests were carried out taking into account the ratios of tunnel excavation depth (H) to lateral width (w), excavation width (B), and excavation distance using a custom-made test device and an analogical soil. Tunnel crossing adjacent existing retaining structure (TCE) and tunnel crossing adjacent newly-built retaining structure (TCN) were simulated and the earth pressure variations and ground settlement distribution during excavation were analyzed. For TCE condition, the earth pressure increments, maximum ground settlement and the curvature of the ground settlement curve are negatively related to H/B, but positively related to H/s and H/w. For TCN condition, most trends are consistent with TCE except that the earth pressure increments and the curvature of ground settlement curve are negatively related to H/w. The maximum ground settlement is larger than that observed in tunnel crossing the existing underground structure. This study provides an assessment basis for the design and construction under confined space conditions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.111-123
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• 2023

The slope of an open cut tunnel is located above the exit of the Leijia tunnel on the Changgan high-speed railway. During the excavation of the open cut tunnel foundation pit, the slope slipped twice, a large landslide of 92500 m³ formed. The landslide body and unstable slope body not only caused the foundation pit of the open cut tunnel to be buried and the anchor piles to be damaged but also directly threatened the operational safety of the later high-speed railway. Therefore, to study the stability change in the slope of the open cut tunnel under heavy rain and excavation conditions, a 3D numerical calculation model of the slope is carried out by Midas GTS software, the deformation mechanism is analyzed, anti-sliding measures are proposed, and the effectiveness of the anti-sliding measures is analyzed according to the field monitoring results. The results show that when rainfall occurs, rainwater collects in the open cut tunnel area, resulting in a transient saturation zone on the slope on the right side of the open cut tunnel, which reduces the shear strength of the slope soil; the excavation at the slope toe reduces the anti-sliding capacity of the slope toe. Under the combined action of excavation and rainfall, when the soil above the top of the anchor pile is excavated, two potential sliding surfaces are bounded by the top of the excavation area, and the shear outlet is located at the top of the anchor pile. After the excavation of the open cut tunnel, the potential sliding surface is mainly concentrated at the lower part of the downhill area, and the shear outlet moves down to the bottom of the open cut tunnel. Based on the deformation characteristics and the failure mechanism of the landslides, comprehensive control measures, including interim emergency mitigation measures and long-term mitigation measures, are proposed. The field monitoring results further verify the accuracy of the anti-sliding mechanism analysis and the effectiveness of anti-sliding measures.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.179-188
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• 2002

This study is to understand the effect of the vibration and the stress changes due to the excavation of 2 arch parts of a tunnel, which is a Gyungbu Express Railway tunnel, on the tunnel itself and adjacent slopes in advance, and to analyze the stability. For the estimation of ground conditions, borehole tests, borehole camera logging and seismic logging were performed. Ground properties at a specific location were determined as input constants by performing 2 dimensional analyses with possible ranges of uncertain ground properties. Static and pseudo-static (due to blasting vibration) factors of safety were calculated. The behavior of the tunnel and its vicinity due to the tunnel excavation were predicted by 3 dimensional analyses. It was also tested whether the support system was proper.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2000

This paper presents two new extensions to the DDA method. The extensions consist of sequential loading or unloading and rock reinforcement by rockbolts, shotcrete or concrete lining. Examples of application of the DDA method with the new extensions are presented. Simulations of the underground excavation of the Unju Tunnel of Kyungbu High Speed Railway Project in Korea were carried out to evaluate the influence of excavation sequence and reinforcement on the tunnel stability. The results of the present study indicate that improper selection of excavation sequence could have a destabilizing effect on the tunnel stability. On the other hand, reinforcement by rockbolts and shotcrete can stabilize the tunnel. It is found that, in general, the DDA program with the three new extensions can now be used as d practical tool in the design of underground structures. In particular, phases of construction (excavation, reinforcement) can now be simulated more realistically.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.175-183
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• 2014

This study investigates the response of structures to tunnelling-induced ground movements in clay ground, varying tunnel excavation condition (tunnel depth and diameter), tunnel construction condition (ground loss), and tunnel ground condition (soft clay and stiff clay). Four-story block-bearing structures have been used because the structures can easily be characterized of the extent of damages with crack size and distribution. Numerical parametric studies have been used to investigate of the response of structures to varying tunnelling conditions. Numerical analysis has been conducted using Discrete Element Method (DEM) to have real cracks when the shear and tensile stress exceed the maximum shear and tensile strength. The results of structure responses from various parametric studies have been integrated to consider tunnel excavation condition, tunnel construction condition, and tunnel ground condition and provide a relationship chart among them. Using the chart, the response of structures to tunnelling can easily be evaluated in practice in clay ground.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.229-242
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• 2009

Numerical analysis has been performed to estimate maximum settlement, maximum horizontal displacement and total settlement volume at the ground surface due to tunnel excavation varying ground condition, tunnel depth and diameter, and construction condition (volume loss at excavation face). The maximum surface settlement from the numerical analysis has been compared with the maximum settlement at tunnel crown considering ground condition, tunnel depth and diameter, and construction condition, and it has been also compared with the maximum horizontal displacement. In addition, the volume loss ($V_L$) at tunnel excavation face has been compared with the total surface settlement volume ($V_s$) with the variation of ground condition, tunnel depth, and tunnel diameter. The results from the numerical analysis have been compared with field measurements to confirm the applicability and validity of the results and by this comparison it is believed that the numerical results in this study can be utilized practically in analyzing the ground movements due to tunnel excavation.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.27-32
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• 2015

PURPOSES : It is difficult to estimate tunnel stability because of lack of timely information during tunnel excavation. Tunnel deformability refers to the capacity of rock to strain under applied loads or unloads during tunnel excavation. This study was conducted to analyze a methods of pre-evaluation of stability during tunnel construction using the critical strain concept, which is applied to the results of tunnel settlement data and unconfined compression strength of intact rock or rock mass at the tunnel construction site. METHODS : Based on the critical strain concept, the pre-evaluation of stability of a tunnel was performed in the Daegu region, at a tunnel through andesite and granite rock. The critical strain concept is a method of predicting tunnel behavior from tunnel crown settlement data using the critical strain chart that is obtained from the relationship between strain and the unconfined compression strength of intact rock in a laboratory. RESULTS : In a pre-evaluation of stability of a tunnel, only actually measured crown settlement data is plotted on the lower position of the critical strain chart, to be compared with the total displacement of crown settlement, including precedent settlement and displacement data from before the settlement measurement. However, both cases show almost the same tunnel behavior. In an evaluation using rock mass instead of intact rock, the data for the rock mass strength is plotted on the lower portion of the critical strain chart, as a way to compare to the data for intact rock strength. CONCLUSIONS : From the results of the pre-evaluation of stability of the tunnel using the critical strain chart, we reaffirmed that it is possible to promptly evaluate the stability of a tunnel under construction. Moreover, this research shows that a safety evaluation using the actual instrumented crown settlement data with the unconfined compression strength of intact rock, rather than with the unconfined compression strength of a rock mass in the tunnel working face, is more conservative.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2003.03a
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• pp.257-264
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• 2003

Tunnelling in water bearing soils influences the ground water regime. It has been indicated in the literature that the existence of ground water above a tunnel influences tunnel stability and the settlement profile. Only limited research, however, has been done on ground water movements around tunnels and their influence on tunnel performance. Time dependent soil behaviour can be caused by the changes of pore water pressure and/or the viscous properties of soil(creep) under the stress change resulting from the advance of the tunnel face. De Moor(1989) demonstrated that the time dependent deformations due to tunnelling are mainly the results of pore pressure dissipation and should be interpreted in terms of effective stress changes. Drainage into tunnels is governed by the permeability of the soil, the length of the drainage path and the hydraulic boundary conditions. The potential effect of lime dependent settlement in a shallow tunnel is likely to occur rapidly due to the short drainage path and possibly high coefficient of consolidation. Existing 2D modelling methods are not applicable to these tunnelling problems, as it is difficult to define empirical parameters. In this paper the time-based 2D modelling method is adopted to account for the three dimensional effect and time dependent behaviour during tunnel construction. The effect of coupling between the unloading procedure and consolidation during excavation is profoundly investigated with the method. It is pointed out that realistic modelling can be achieved by defining a proper permeability at the excavation boundary and prescribing appropriate time for excavation Some guidelines for the numerical modelling of drained and undrained excavation has been suggested using characteristic time factor. It is highlighted that certain range of the factor shows combined effect between the unloading procedure due to excavation and consolidation during construction.