• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.113-128
• /
• 2024

Items of road tunnel PISD (Precise Inspection for Safety and Diagnosis) were reviewed and analyzed using newly enhanced MMS (Mobile Mapping System) technology. Possible items with MMS can be visual inspection, survey and non-destructive test, structural analysis, and maintenance plan. The resolution of 3D point cloud decreased when the vehicle speed of MMS is too fast while the calibration error increased when it is too slow. The speed measurement of 50 km/h is determined to be effective in this study. Although image resolution by MMS has a limit to evaluating the width of crack with high precision, it can be used as data to identify the status of facilities in the tunnel and determine whether they meet disaster prevention management code of tunnel. 3D point cloud with MMS can be applicable for matching of cross-section and also possible for the variation of longitudinal survey, which can intuitively check vehicle clearance throughout the road tunnel. Compared with the measurement of current PISD, number of test and location of survey is randomly sampled, the continuous measurement with MMS for environment condition can be effective and meaningful for precise estimation in various analysis.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.191-208
• /
• 2024

In this study, a hydro-mechanical-damage coupled analysis model was developed to evaluate the structural safety of radioactive waste disposal structures. The Mazars damage model, widely used to model the fracture behavior of brittle materials such as rocks or concrete, was coupled with conventional hydro-mechanical analysis and the developed model was verified via theoretical solutions from literature. To derive the numerical input values for damage-coupled analysis, uniaxial compressive strength and Brazilian tensile strength tests were performed on concrete samples made using the mix ratio of the disposal concrete silo cured under dry and saturated conditions. The input factors derived from the laboratory-scale experiments were applied to a two-dimensional finite element model of the concrete silos at the Wolseong Nuclear Environmental Management Center in Gyeongju and numerical analysis was conducted to analyze the effects of damage consideration, analysis technique, and waste loading conditions. The hydro-mechanical-damage coupled model developed in this study will be applied to the long-term behavior and stability analysis of deep geological repositories for high-level radioactive waste disposal.

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

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.223-242
• /
• 2024

Single-shell tunnels, introduced to South Korea in the early 2000s, have not been adopted for the main tunnels of roads or railways over the past two decades despite several attempts starting with the Gwangju City Bypass. This reluctance likely arises from concerns about the long-term performance of supporting materials and the absence of relevant criteria and specifications. However, recent progress, including the incorporation of high-strength shotcrete standards and corrosion-resistant rock bolt specifications, alongside equipment and technique enhancements, necessitates a reassessment of single-shell tunnels. While the single-shell tunnel method offers advantages in environmental impact, construction cost and period compared to the conventional NATM, it is crucial to address the challenges, such as limited design and construction experience, incomplete detailed standards, and insufficient construction specifications, through further research and pilot projects. This paper reviewed the basic principles of single-shell tunnel, current application and research status, technical development trends, criteria and specifications, and remaining challenges. It aims to reignite discussions on the feasibility of applying single-shell tunnels in South Korea.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.243-254
• /
• 2024

Currently, due to industrial development in domestic regions, buildings are saturated not only in major city centers but also in surrounding urban areas. Accordingly, people's attention has focused on underground spaces, and tunnels are being widely used, especially in urban development. Research on tunnels and tunnel excavation methods is actively underway. However, there is a lack of research on the wear and tear problems of sludge discharge pipes when using a slurry shield TBM. Therefore, in this paper, the L-shaped bend pipe used in the existing sludge discharge pipe was transformed into a T-shaped bend pipe to move sludge. As a result, it was confirmed that compared to the L-shaped bend pipe, the impact of the T-shaped bend pipe on the bend pipe when discharging sludge was reduced. Based on these results, it is expected that wear of the sludge discharge pipe can be minimized by using a T-shaped bend pipe when using slurry shield TBM equipment. This is expected to ultimately lead to economic benefits, such as reducing costs due to replacement of curved pipes or additional welding during tunnel construction.

• 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.26 no.1
• /
• pp.1-17
• /
• 2024

Analyzing the tunnel excavation behavior and its effect on the surrounding ground involves large deformation behavior. Therefore, in order to properly simulate the tunnel excavation process and rigorously investigate the actual effect of excavation on surrounding ground and tunnel structure large deformation analysis method is required. In this study, two major numerical approaches capable of considering large deformations behavior were applied to investigate the effect of tunnel boring machine excavation on the surrounding ground: coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) and the automatic remeshing (AR) method. Relative performance of both approaches was evaluated through the ground response due to TBM excavation. The ground response will be quantified by estimating the range of the excavation damaged zone (EDZ). By comparing the results, the range of the EDZ will be suggested on the vertical and horizontal direction along the TBM excavation surface. Based on the computed results, it was found that the size of EDZ around the excavation surface and the tendencies was in good agreement among the two approaches. Numerical results clearly show that the size of the EDZ around the tunnel tends to be larger for rock with higher RMR rating. The size of the EDZ is found to be direct proportional to the tunnel diameter, whereas the depth of the tunnel is inversely proportional due to higher confinement stress around the excavation surface.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.19-37
• /
• 2024

Rockbolts are the primary-supports in NATM tunnels and are widely used at tunnel construction sites. Among the rockbolts methods applied in domestic tunnel design, fully grouted rockbolts are the most representative and frequently used. Fully grouted rockbolts exhibit relative behavior between the bolt and the ground due to the grout material. However, during numerical analysis for tunnel design, fully grouted rockbolts are often modeled in a way that does not reflect their behavior characteristics. This may result in underestimating or overestimating the force of the supports. Based on a literature review, it was analyzed that fully grouted rockbolts are modeled using truss element or cable element. To analyze the effect of grout properties of cable elements on rockbolts behavior, this paper compared the behavior of rockbolts in two models: one estimating grout properties based on rockbolt pull-out test data, and another assuming complete adhesion between the rockbolts and the ground by applying large grout properties. Under identical tunnel conditions, the numerical analysis was conducted by modeling the fully grouted rockbolts differently using truss and cable elements, and the tunnel behavior was analyzed. The research results suggest that modeling fully grouted rockbolts as a function of the interface effect between the bolts and the ground, specifically considering grout, is desirable. The use of pull-out test data to simulate the behavior of actual fully grouted rockbolts was considered as a valid approach.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
• /
• 2007.03a
• /
• pp.64-80
• /
• 2007

This paper presents a case study on the excavation of a long tunnel(16.2km) named as "Sol-An tunnel", which connects between Mt. Dongbaek station and Dokye station in the Young-dong Railroad. This site is located in a complex geological region with faults, cavities and coal measures as sedimentary rocks area. It occurred geotechnical problems unexpectedly by running water when tunnelling in limestone area within those geological structures. This tunnel caused surface settlements through the decrease of ground water level and soil washed-out affecting by cavities and faults within limestone formation. This paper presents a analysis of source through a close investigation and measures. And also, does preventive measures about returns of settlements reflected by properties of limestones.