Underground Construction Techonology
Underground Construction Techonology
Underground Construction Techonology
Course Lectures Part 3 Ground Improvement and Support Professor ZHAO Jian g de Cours ROJAS Rafael Charg
Laboratoire de Mcanique des Roches LMR
Underground Construction Technology
Introduction
1. Ground treatment and improvement during tunnelling 2. Groundwater control and waterproofing techniques 3. Temporary and permanent support methods 4. Instrumentation and monitoring
Grouting
Grouting is the introduction of a hardening fluid or mortar into the ground to improve its stiffness stiffness, strength and/or impermeability
Grouting
There are different patterns of the propagation of the grout t within ithi th the ground: d
Low L pressure grouting ti Compensation grouting Jet grouting g g
Grouting
Low pressure grouting
The grout is introduced into the ground with a movable double packer by means of a pressure packer, high enough to push the ground into the pores but low enough not to crack the ground
Grouting
Compensation grouting
- The objective is to fracture the ground, with increased grouting pressure in order to swell the pressure, ground. -Used for compensation of surface settlements by heaving the settlements, surface. -Also called grout-jacking -Caution must be taken as new loads might be exerted on the lining
Grouting
Jet grouting
-A high pressure (300 to 600 bar) is applied to a cement suspension which is pumped through a pipe with a lateral nozzle at its bottom end -The jet erodes the surrounding soil. When the pipe is pulled out and rotated simultaneously, a cylindrical body of soil and cement is formed -Different techniques of jet grouting exist: Single fluid, double fluid, triple f fluid, etc
Laboratoire de Mcanique des Roches LMR
Underground Construction Technology
Grouting
Jet grouting: Single Grout
Grouting
Jet grouting: Double Grout
Grouting
Jet grouting: Triple Grout
Grouting
Grouting: Tunnelling Application
Grouting is used in tunnelling to improve the quality of the ground around the future tunnel and to seal the tunnel g against groundwater and thus prevent heading inrushes Staggered boreholes with lenghts of around 20 m are driven from the face and grouted with a good overlapping, obtaining g a kind of p protective umbrella on the tunnel.
Grouting
Grouting: Tunnelling Application Example
Grouting
Grouting: Tunnelling Application Example
Grouting
Grouting: Tunnelling Application Scheme
Grouting
Grouting: Tunnelling Application Scheme
Grouting
Grouting: Tunnelling Application Scheme
Grouting
Grouting: Tunnelling Application Scheme
Grouting
Grouting: Tunnelling Application Scheme
Grouting
Grouting: Tunnelling Application Scheme TBM
Grouting
Grouting: Tunnelling Application Scheme TBM
Grouting
Grouting: Tunnelling Application Scheme TBM
Grouting
Grouting:
Cement Grouts: With cement content between 100 and 500 kg per m3 m3, and bentonite (to reduce sedimentation, permeability and strenght). A sufficient time of several hours must be awaited for setting before any blasting and drilling into the grouted area. Micro Cements Colloidal silica suspensions Chemical Grouts: Sodium silicate in most of the cases. The setting time is more reduced (30 to 60 minutes). The mechanical properties can be tailored tailored. Polyurethanes: They react with water and produce foam, which remains ductile after hardening. Acrylic Grouts: Liquids of low viscosity until the polymerisation sets on (around an hour) hour). Epoxy Resins: Less used, because of difficulties in handling. Thermoplastic materials: Asphalt or melt polyamides pumped with fast flowing water
Laboratoire de Mcanique des Roches LMR
Underground Construction Technology
Grouting
Grouting: Particularities of Rock Grouting
Rock has a much smaller pore volume than soil, so that it is difficult to uniformly y grout g all voids of rock In order to avoid grout escaping through large joints:
Thicker grouts must be used A limit for the grout volume V must be imposed (to avoid filling g of too large g and not needed areas) ) A limit for the grouting pressure P must be imposed (to avoid hydrofracturing of the rock and fracture opening)
Grouting
Grouting: Moment of intervention
According to when the grouting is executed, we can talk about:
Pre-injections Post-injections
Grouting
Grouting: Moment of intervention
Pre-injections
They can be performed from the face of the advancing tunnel (what normally affects the excavation process) or from the surface (what gives extra-flexibility). g y) They are preferible to post-injections, as they are easier to perform, cheaper, more effective and treat the ground before water starts moving and leaking into the tunnel. The present a marginal risk of uncontrolled water in-rush They provide dry working conditions in the tunnel There is marginal influence on the surroundings
Laboratoire de Mcanique des Roches LMR
Underground Construction Technology
Grouting
Ground Freezing
Principle of Ground Freezing Ground freezing is a technique used extensively for groundwater control and ground control in the underground construction construction. The process involves the circulation of a refrigerated coolant through g a series of subsurface p pipes p to convert soil water to ice, creating a strong and watertight material.
Ground Freezing
Formation of freeze wall
Freeze zone/wall
Freeze pipe/point
In tunnelling tunnelling, freeze zone or wall around tunnel can be formed for excavation
Ground Freezing
The design of a frozen earth barrier is governed by the th thermal l properties ti of f the th underlying d l i soils il and d related l t d response to the freezing system. Formation of frozen earth barrier develops at different rates depending on the thermal and hydraulic properties of each stratum Typically, rock and coarsegrained soils freeze faster than clays and silts
Ground Freezing
Ground Freezing
Ground Freezing in Tunnelling Provides stable shoring to allow tunnelling in wet, loose soils or highly fractured rock. Effective for cutting off ground water into tunnel excavation. Frozen soil/rock can be used as shoring around unfrozen soil or the entire soil/rock mass can be frozen (similar to hard-rock tunnelling). Frozen soil shoring can also be used to stabilize ground entrance and exit access shafts
Laboratoire de Mcanique des Roches LMR
Underground Construction Technology
Ground Freezing
Ground Freezing
Ground Freezing System Most ground freezing systems are quite similar in principal. The single most important component of a ground freezing system is the subsurface refrigeration system, consisting of a series of refrigeration pipes installed with various drilling techniques. The coolant can be b b brought ht t to t temperatures t well ll b below l f freezing, i b by using either a large portable refrigeration plant or liquid nitrogen. g After the initial freezing g and the frozen barrier is in place, the required refrigeration capacity is significantly reduced to maintain the frozen barrier.
Laboratoire de Mcanique des Roches LMR
Underground Construction Technology
Ground Freezing
Ground Freezing System Conventional System It consists of a primary refrigerate gas, usually ammonia, being compressed and conducting its cold energy on evaporation to a secondary coolant, coolant usually calcium chloride brine which is circulated through the freeze tube system to cool the strata. Th refrigeration The fi ti plants l t are usually ll self lf contained. t i d The conventional system can operate at as low as 40C and are suitable for the larger g projects p j where freezing will be carried on for several weeks.
Ground Freezing
Ground Freezing
Ground Freezing System Cryogenic System It uses an expendable refrigerant usually liquid nitrogen that is applied directly to the freeze tubes where it evaporates at -196C and the resultant gas is exhausted to atmosphere. It is used in cases where remedial action is urgent and for small compact projects where time is of paramount t importance. i t The Th freeze f wall ll f formation ti can be completed in typically 3-7 days. It may also be used where water movement or saline condition ( (e.g., g up p to 1000 m below river). A comprehensive monitoring system is used to ensure a safe operation.
Laboratoire de Mcanique des Roches LMR
Underground Construction Technology
Ground Freezing
LN2 tank
Ground Freezing
Advantages of Ground Freezing (i) (a) Strength Soil strength is increased many times and frequently excavations are rendered stable without any further temporary support. Frozen soil is similar to a weak concrete or rock therefore complete stability can be assured. assured (b) Impermeability Impermeability is common to all f frozen soil il t types th thus th the requirement i tf for dewatering d t i or pumping is eliminated.
Ground Freezing
Ground Freezing
Advantages of Ground Freezing (ii) (c) Stability Settlement associated with vibration during piling and removal of fines due to pumping are eliminated. (d) Non-pollution Non pollution Freezing does not pollute the ground water or affect its level in any way. (e) ( ) Versatility V tilit Freezing F i satisfactorily ti f t il stabilises t bili and d excludes ground water in all types of ground from fine micro-grain to fissured rock structures.
Laboratoire de Mcanique des Roches LMR
Underground Construction Technology
Ground Freezing
Ground Freezing
Advantages of Ground Freezing (iii) (f) Safety A safe working environment is provided eliminating hazards associated with toxic chemicals compressed air working excessive noise and the possibility of pumping contaminated groundwater. (g) Cost effectiveness Ground freezing is a very cost effective and time saving process. In all too many cases th client the li t h has only l realised li d thi this when h h he h has committed itt d to another stabilisation technique that has failed to give the performance expected.
Laboratoire de Mcanique des Roches LMR
Underground Construction Technology
Forepoling
If the strenght of the ground is so low that the excavated space is unstable for a short time, time a pre-driven support is applied In this way, the excavation increments occur under the protection of a previously driven canopy It It can be used when tunnelling with low overburden and wanting to prevent large surface settlements, or when tunnelling through poor ground Nowadays, N d f forepoling li is i achieved hi d by b spiling, ili pipe i roof, f pre-sawing, i grouting ti and freezing
Forepoling
Spiling
- This method consists of drilling a canopy of steel rods or pipes of 80-200 mm diameter into the face - The typical lenght is 4 m - The surrounding soil is grouted throught the steel pipes or sealed with shotcrete, in order to form a protective arch over the excavated space
Forepoling
Spiling
Forepoling
Pipe Roof
- Similar to spiling, but with larger diameter (<200mm) steel or concrete tubes. - The tubes are jacked into the soil above the space to be excavated. -Sometimes, the tubes are filled with concrete -The steel tubes only act as beams and do not form an arch -Pipe roofs do not protect the overburden soil from considerable settlements
Forepoling
Pre-sawing
-Also called Perforex-method or Peripherical slot pre-cutting method -A peripherical slot is cut using a movable chainsaw mouted on a rig -The individual slots have a depth up to 5 m and a thickness between 19 and 35 cm -The slots are filled with shotcrete, forming a vault that protects the space to be excavated -The slots are staggered with an overlapping
Forepoling
Ground Freezing
-Already commented when dealing with freezing techniques
Jet Grouting
-Already y commented when dealing g with jet grouting techniques
Dewatering
Groundwater in Tunnelling and Dewatering High groundwater pressure, often associated with high water flow usually makes excavation difficult. Dewatering is a technique that takes water away from the ground by: Set S t dry d ground d condition diti for f excavation ti Lower groundwater pressure in the ground Reduce the quantity of water flow at excavation
Dewatering
Ground
Tunnel
Dewatering
Tunnel
Dewatering
Groundwater Flow to Well When water is pumped out from a well, the groundwater level nearby in the aquifer is lowered (drawdown). The greatest drawdown occurs immediately near the well. ll Drawdown D d is i less l at t further f th distances di t away from the well. At some distance away, the groundwater level remains unchanged. g g
Dewatering
Groundwater Flow to Well The lower groundwater table forms a cone of depression around the well. Cones of depressions can occur for both unconfined and confined aquifers. The depth Th d th and d horizontal h i t l extension t i of f the th cone of f depression depends on the pumping rate and the permeability p y of the aquifer. q
Dry well
Well
Well
At some distance away, away the groundwater level will be at the original level.
Former water pressure table Lowered water pressure table Confined aquifer
Dewatering
Drawdown in Unconfined Aquifer General equation relating pumping rate (q), permeability (k), drawdown and distance. q = [k (h22-h12)]/ [ln(r2/r1)]
q
h2
h1
h0
Fully penetrating well in an unconfined aquifer overlying impervious layer, with observation wells
r2
r1
Underground Construction Technology
Dewatering
Drawdown in Unconfined Aquifer Equation to calculate drawdown from q, k, distance (r), and radius of pumping well (rw). q = [k (h2-hw2)]/ [ln(r/rw)]
q
rw h hw r
Dewatering
Drawdown in Confined Aquifer Equation relating pumping rate (q), permeability (k), drawdown, aquifer thickness (D) and distance. q = [2Dk (h2-h1)]/ [ln(r2/r1)]
q
h2
h1
h0
Fully penetrating well in a confined aquifer overlying impervious layer, with observation wells
r2
r1
Underground Construction Technology
Dewatering
Drawdown in Confined Aquifer Equation to calculate drawdown from q, k, thickness of the confined aquifer (D), distance (r), and radius of pumping well (rw). q = [2 [ Dk(h-h ( )]/ [ [ln(r/r ( w)] w)]
Dewatering
Example Tunnel in Weathered Granite A tunnel of 4.9 m diameter by EPB TBM with roller cutters, at depth up to 50 m, in granite interfacing with residual soil. High groundwater pressure (5 bars) and high permeability. permeability Recommendation is to operate in 3 bars allowing g frequent q cutter changes.
Dewatering
Suggestions Temporarily lowering down groundwater table to reduce water pressure and water inflow. Jet grouting in completely weathered granite and permeation grouting in grades weathered granite. Adopted Solutions Temporarily lower down of groundwater table at face by dewatering from surface boreholes.
Dewatering
Tunnel
Groundwater pressure
Dewatering
Hydrogeological Consideration Lowering groundwater pressure in the ground is a function of: Permeability of the ground material, more effective in sandy ground with high permeability. Well size and depth, govern the area of water inflow. Pumping rate and duration, govern total water pumped out.
Underground Construction Technology
Dewatering
Geo-environmental Consideration Lowering of groundwater may have many environmental implications: Ground settlement (due to change of effective stress). Effects on local hydrogeology setting. Effects on vegetations.
Dewatering
Geo-environmental Consideration
Introduction
1. Ground treatment and improvement during tunnelling 2. Groundwater control and waterproofing techniques 3. Temporary and permanent support methods 4. Instrumentation and monitoring
Double packer-test
Borehole cable Test T t tubing t bi Borehole valve Triple p probe p Upper packer Test interval Lower Packer
Installation tubing
Data Acquisition
Shut-in valve Annulus (P3) A/D Converter Computer System Printer
Upper Packer
Packer Pressure
Shut-in packer
Screen
Flowboard
Lower Packer Flow rate measurement Pressure regulator Injection pump
-Above the groundwater table, a tunnel has to be protected against downwards percolating water. water This is achieved with a so-called umbrella solution, by means of a crown + sides waterproofing and a drainage system that collects the water at both sides of the tunnel -Drainage affects the distribution of hydraulic head by attracting groundwater and relieving the lining from hydrostatic pressure.The groundwater is then collected and discharged -Drainage must be achieved in a maintenance must always be possible permanent way and
Introduction
1. Ground treatment and improvement during tunnelling 2. Groundwater control and waterproofing techniques 3. Temporary and permanent support methods 4. Instrumentation and monitoring
- The questions is not which is the pressure acting upon the lining g , but rather which is the relation between pressure and deformation
o
Laboratoire de Mcanique des Roches LMR
Underground Construction Technology
-Reduced dust production -Reduced rebound -Reduced scatter of concrete properties -Higher capacity
Drilling with conventional boomer rigs and ulterior setting of the rockbolts kb lt from f a platform
o
-They They can also serve to mount forepoling spiles in longitudinal direction Underground Construction
Laboratoire de Mcanique des Roches LMR
Technology
Introduction
1. Ground treatment and improvement during tunnelling 2. Groundwater control and waterproofing techniques 3. Temporary and permanent support methods 4. Instrumentation and monitoring