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Computational Techniques in Tunneling: Shuvam Adhikari

Computational techniques like finite element analysis are used to model tunnels and calculate critical stress levels and deformations. This helps determine design parameters for efficient and stable tunnel design. FLAC 3D is a software that can model tunnels over time, incorporating creep. A study of the Melamchi tunnel in Nepal used FLAC 3D to simulate excavation and found the maximum stress was 1.7 times higher than initial stress but still below critical stress, indicating stability. Tunnel design involves complex calculations of parameters, and computational modeling provides a valuable tool to supplement traditional experience-based design.

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56 views2 pages

Computational Techniques in Tunneling: Shuvam Adhikari

Computational techniques like finite element analysis are used to model tunnels and calculate critical stress levels and deformations. This helps determine design parameters for efficient and stable tunnel design. FLAC 3D is a software that can model tunnels over time, incorporating creep. A study of the Melamchi tunnel in Nepal used FLAC 3D to simulate excavation and found the maximum stress was 1.7 times higher than initial stress but still below critical stress, indicating stability. Tunnel design involves complex calculations of parameters, and computational modeling provides a valuable tool to supplement traditional experience-based design.

Uploaded by

Shuvam Adhikari
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Computational Techniques in Tunneling


Shuvam Adhikari

MSRTE, WRC

IOE

Tunnels are an integral part of the modern world. Tunnel through hills provide a short and convenient route for
highways and decrease the risk associated with hill roads such as rock slide and slope instability. Water
conveyance tunnel are used to transport water from one place to another place safely for different purposes such
as Hydro-power, Water Supply and Irrigation. tunnels make it easy to handle large amount which is quite
difficult through surface structures in hilly and mountainous terrain. Thus, there is a huge potential for tunnels
in Himalayan region. However, due to various tectonic activities the geology of the Himalayan is quite fragile
causing various stability problems during construction and operation of these tunnels. The excavation of a
tunnel involves penetration through various types of rocks. The most important aspects of tunnel construction
are the safety factor and the cost of tunneling, which are primarily related to geological features of the
excavated area. For economically viable tunneling, it is crucial to have a method characterized by cost
effectiveness and flexibility to adopt changing ground conditions, and by accuracy in the prediction of rock
mass quality during planning. The design phase decision in selecting tunnel alignment and predicting the rock
mass quality and rock support requirement has direct influence on the overall cost and time requirement of any
tunneling project. While designing a tunnel project many simulations and numerical analysis are carried out to
calculate various stress and deformations in order to determine the critical stress level and other parameters
required for efficient design of a tunnel. Various computational techniques such as finite element analysis are
used in modeling tunnel problems and calculated critical stress level and related deformations. Commercially
available software packages such as FLAC 3D and RS2 are used to model tunnel using principles of Finite
Element Analysis in various tunnel projects around the world.

Excavation along a tunnel changes the stress system around the opening. Effect of the changed stress condition
us reflected in ground response which influences support pressure. For cost-effective and trouble free tunnel
construction the prediction of the ground response indicating the failure strength of the rock mass. Even if the
concentrated stress level around the tunnel is below the rock mass strength, it still may cause creep. The 'critical
stress level' is the minimum stress level which causes rock failure by creep after a certain time. Creep in rock
masses is associated with crack propagation. During the primary creep phase the rock 'acclimatises' to stress and
crack propagation slows to a stable, almost constant rate. During the 'steady' secondary creep stage, the material
is damaged more and more until finally, in the tertiary stage, uncontrolled accelerating crack propagation leads
to failure. Thus, determination of the critical stress level is useful information for assessment of the tunnel
stability. FLAC 3D can be used to simulate and analyze the stability of a tunnel. With use of this code time
effect can be incorporated in tunnel modeling which enables to assess time dependent tunnel deformation. In a
specific study carried out by G.L. Shrestha for Melamchi WSP tunnel. Firstly, Mohr model was used to
simulate the tunnel excavation in rock mass which gave tunnel deformation without considering the time-effect.
Then the time-dependent deformations were obtained by using 'burger' model. After simulations the results such
as maximum principal stress in the tunnel crown along with deformation pattern relative to time were also
obtained. According to the modeling, the maximum stress level around the tunnel contour was found to be 1.7
times higher than the in-situ stress level. The critical stress level was higher than the concentrated stress level,
and thus the tunnel system was found to be stable.
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Tunnel design is a complex process which involves calculation of various parameters and their effect in tunnel
stability. Until a few years ago tunnel construction was based exclusively on experience. Numerical methods,
however, constitute a very valuable supplement. Particularly the finite element method is very useful in
calculation stresses and displacements in tunnels. But a calculation is only useful when the underlying
numerical model correctly describes natural behavior. The two-dimensional plane strain calculation, and the
approximations necessary for it, represents still the most used and most suitable model for tunnel excavation.
Commercially available software such as FLAC use the finite element method and make easier for designers to
model a tunnel and simplify the process of tunnel deign.

REFERENCES
[1] Swoboda, Gunter & Marence, Miroslav & Mader, Ingo. (1994). Finite element modelling of tunnel excavation. 6. 51-63.
[2] Shrestha, Gyanendra & Broch, Einar. (2005). A study of critical stress level causing time-dependent rock failure in tunnels; With a case study of Melamchi tunnel,
Nepal.
[3] Panthi, Krishna. (2006). Analysis of Engineering Geological Uncertainties Related to Tunnelling in Himalayan Rock Mass Conditions.

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