GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS

GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS
These determine to a large extent solutions to following engineering problems
connected with tunneling.

o SELECTION OF TUNNEL ROUTE (ALIGNMENT)

Tunnel alignment is the position or layout of the tunnel on the ground.
There might be available many alternate alignments that could connect
two point through a tunnel. It can be either horizontal or vertical. While
the horizontal alignment runs along the tunnel center, a vertical alignment
defines the changes in elevations of the tunnel.
Data collection was performed in order to obtain maximum amount of
relevant engineering geological information of the area such as rock mass
characteristics and ground water conditions as the accuracy of the
decision totally depends on the reliability and adequacy of the data
collected from desk study and field data collection.
 Route selection is the critical initial step in the process of design and
construction of a tunnel. A detailed tunnel surveying with precise
measurements is performed to set the alignment of a newly constructed
tunnel. If setting the alignment goes wrong, the ends of the tunnel wont meet.

When the work starts, the centerline is marked on the ground with high
precision, so that it gives the correct length to the tunnel. After this, an acute
survey is performed to ensure that the correct centerline or horizontal
alignment of the tunnel and the other levels are transferred to the underground
positions. The alignment of the tunnel must stay straight as far as possible so
that the shortest and most economical route is achieved.
CLASSIFICATION OF TUNNELS BASED ON ALLIGNMENTS

• Off-spur tunnel – tunnel with short lengths that are used to negotiate minor obstacles.
• Slope tunnel – tunnels that are constructed in sleep hills to facilitate economy and
safety in operation.
• Spiral tunnel – when tunnel is constructed in the form of loops along the interiors of
mountains .
• Saddle or based tunnel – constructed in narrow valleys along natural slopes.
o SELECTION OF EXCAVATION METHOD

Tunneling is a complicated process in any situation and involves huge costs

which would multiply manifolds if proper planning is not exercised before the
actual excavation. The excavation method are extremely linked with the types
of rocks to be excavated.
choice of the right method will, therefore, be possible only when the nature
of the rocks and the ground all along alignment is fully known.
In tunnel construction, two excavation method were used. The drill-and-
blast excavation, and merchandised tunneling using tunnel boring machines
(TBMs). The choice of excavation method depends on the various factors (e.g.
route length, nature of the rock mass, economic framework conditions, and
planned construction period)
• Tunnel boring machine – machine used to excavate tunnels with a
circular cross section through a variety of soil and rock strata. They can
bore through hard rock, sand, and almost everything in between. The
daily excavation output of TBMs can be up to 40m. TBMs breaks rock with
a rotating drilling head, remove the spoil, hand, depending on the type of
construction, secure the excavated tunnel with shotcrete, rock bolts and
wire mesh or prefabricated segments of reinforced concrete.
• Drill-and-blast excavation – conventional excavation using shotcrete is a very
flexible method of excavation. This is suitable for difficult varying ground
conditions and is very good for different sizes and for complex cross sectional
geometries. The stages for drilling and blasting are predetermined. The blast
holes are drilled first, then loaded with explosive then finally, the explosion
takes place. Once the breakout material has been removed, the process known
as mucking, tunnel support is applied in the form of anchors, lattice arches and
reinforcements mats.
o SELECTION OF DESIGN FOR THE TUNNEL

The ultimate dimensions and design parameters or a proposed

tunnel are controlled, besides other factors, by geological constitution
of the area along the alignment. Whether the tunnel is to be circular,
D-shaped, horse-shoe shaped or rectangular or combination of one or
more of these outlines, is more often dictated by the geology of the
alignment than by any other single factor.
• HORSE SHOE TUNNEL
-It is the most popular section for tunnels. It has semi circular
roof with arches sides and curved invert. This tunnel is suitable in soft
rocks. Horse-shoe tunnels commonly used for highways and railway
and is suitable for carrying water and sewage. When lined, section
gives good resistance to external pressure. Floor is nearly flat, which
gives more working space to contractor to store materials during
construction. Horse- shoe section tunnels are difficult to construct.

• ELLIPTICAL TUNNEL
-This section is narrow at base, and so cannot be
used as traffic tunnels. Its major axis is kept vertical to have
better resistance to external pressure suited for carrying
water and sewage.
• CIRCULAR TUNNEL
-It offers greater resistance to external pressure caused
by water, water bearing soils or soft grounds. It is best
geological section for resisting internal and external forces. It
provides greater cross-section area for least perimeter. Mostly
suitable for sewers and water conveying. Circular section
tunnels suited in non cohesive soils.

• D-SECTION OR SEGMENTAL ROOF TUNNEL

-It is section with an arched roof with straight sides. The
segmental roof takes the external load and transfers on vertical
side walls, which may be constructed in case soft soils. D-Shaped
tunnels suitable for subway or navigational tunnels, it has nearly
flat invert and additional working floor space helpful during
driving and flat floor useful in moving equipment.
• RECTANGULAR TUNNEL
-It is in the form of RCC Box and most suitable case for
hard rocks. It is generally adopted for pedestrian topics.
Rectangular section are costly and difficult to construct

• EGG SHAPED TUNNEL

-Generally adopted for carrying sewage, as it provide
least cross section area at the bottom. In egg shaped tunnels, self
cleansing velocity of flow of sewage maintains in dry and rainy
seasons. It’s circular side walls resist external and internal
pressure.
o ASSESSMENT OF COST AND STABILITY
The aspects of the tunneling projects are also closely interlinked
with the first three considerations.
Since geological investigation will determine the line of actual
excavation, the method of excavation, and the dimension of excavation
as also the supporting system (lining) of the excavation, all estimates
about the cost of the project would depend on the geological details.
Similarly, tunnels passing through hard and massive rocks even
when left unsupported may be regarded as stable.
o ROAD CUTTING
Cutting inclined to dip and strike. Beds strata will dip across the
cutting and the slope of cutting dip into the hill safe will be equal to
both sides.
Hence such a condition would give rise to similar difficulties as
encountered in cuts parallel to strike.
When there is no alternative to cuts either parallel to or inclined to
strike, special measure might become necessary to ensure stability of
slopes.
Such measures would include:
• Enlarging of the section of the cutting particularly on the hillside
face, to stable limits;
• Provision of strong, adequately high retaining walls;
• Very efficient drainage system to effectively remove water from the
affected slopes.
o JOINT
These influence the stability of the cuts and the same way as the
bedding planes when present in great abundance, joints reduce even
the hardest rock to a mass of loosely held up blocks and the side of a
cut which could tumble down on slight vibrations.
Further, even if the joints are few, but are continuous and inclined
towards the free side of the cut, these are inclined towards the free
sides of the cut, these offer surfaces for slips during the presence of
moisture.
In major road construction programs, therefore, jointed rocks have
to be provide artificial support by breastwalls and retaining walls for
ensuring stability.
Faulting generally leads to the crushing of the rocks along the fault
planes and shear zones.
o FAULTS
Such a condition is, of course, very unfavorable for a cut when it
happens to form upper or lower slope or even base of the cut.
It should not be left untreated in any cases. These are the worst
types of plane in potential failure.
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