Tunnel Construction Method

Tunnel Construction Methods: Conventional vs Mechanized
March 26, 2010
Prof. Andre P. Assis, PhD

(ITACET / UnB)
Harvey W. Parker, PhD

(ITA / Consultant)
2nd Seminario Internacional de Tuneles y aplicaciones ITS 26 de Marzo de 2010 Buenos Aires
Huge Diverse Demand for Tunnels Worldwide

Motorways & Ring Roads to reduce traffic congestion Long and/or Deep Road Tunnels to connect populations By-Pass Historic, Cultural, Scenic, & Congested Locations Underground Parking Mass Transit Systems Public Utilities & Flood Control City Center Revitalization
Construction Method is Affected by the Purpose and Numerous other Factors, Especially the Geology
Two Basic Categories
Factors to Consider in Selection of Construction Method

Geology
Rock or Soil Mountain or River Crossing
Technical Feasibility
Urban or Rural Number of Lanes ~ Tunnel Size Length Safety & Environmental Constraints
Cost & Schedule

Schedule & Cost Risk Tolerance
Recent Tunnel Engineering Advances Improve Selection of Construction Method

Better Exploration & Understanding of Ground Behaviour Ground/Groundwater Pressures Evaluation & Control of Induced Movement
Minimize Potential for Damage
Modern Technology Results in Tunnels Better, Faster, Cheaper, Safer Quality Mechanization of the construction process
New Generation of Pressurized TBMs

TBMs now routinely used in ground conditions considered inappropriate a few years ago
Innovations Provide our Industry with More Choices than just the traditional Choice Between Conventional vs Mechanized. In Continuous State of Change
Construction Methods and Technology

Geology & GeoHydrology Priority of surface space
Long term (type of infrastructure) Short term (during construction)
Type, cross-section size and length of the tunnel Location and surrounding environment of the tunnel. Potential for Public Disruption Local tradition and experience, schedule, type of contract and contractual stability Cost & Schedule
Must Predict Productivity Labor & Material Costs
Evaluate on Risk Management Principles
Select Con
Road Tunnel Types

93' +/20' 22
Different configurations, technologies, standards
Var
SB
NB
53'
Varies 80' - 103'
53'
Tunnel Size
Alaskan Way, Seattle

2nd Seminario Internacional de Tuneles y aplicaciones ITS ~17m OD for Four (4) Lanes 26 de Marzo de 2010 Buenos Aires
Now, Several 3 Lane Roads in ~14m Tunnels
A86 in Paris
11.6 m diameter for 4, possibly ultimately, more lanes!! - small vehicles only, 3m clearance
Tunnelling in Soft Ground (Soils) Conventional CC Cut-and-Cover Immersed & Other Conventional Tunnelling Tunnelling Methods
2nd
Mechanized Tunnelling Special Methods
Seminario Internacional de Tuneles y aplicaciones ITS 26 de Marzo de 2010 Buenos Aires
Cut-and-Cover vs Tunnel
Cut-and-Cover
Difficult to build from surface Urban constraints (alignments defined by demand and interferences) Cost of relocation Construction costs Cost of Public Disruption
Door Frame Tunnel in Metro Brasilia
"Submerged" Cut-and-Cover: Immersed Tunnels
Mount Baker Ridge Seattle

Stacked-Drift Innovative Incremental construction - small parallel drifts (like barrel staves) Inside diameter 19m Five through lanes plus pedestrian, bike Ventilation and life safety systems
Conventional Tunnelling
Tunnelling in Soil
Conventional
Tunnelling
Sequential Excavation Methods (SEM)
Mechanized
Tunnelling
Full-Face Excavation Open-face Pressured-face TBM
Door
Frame or Special Construction
Challenge: Stability & Settlement

Sequential Excavation Method (SEM)

Low Mobilization time & cost Rate of Advance slower than TBM but sometimes competitive in total project time Various, flexible shapes possible Quality & Workmanship is Crucial Practice now accepted as safe but image is not universally good Transitions / off-ramps easier
Tcnicas Alternativas: Ground Congelamento Improvement and Reinforcement
Mechanized Tunnelling
General Mechanized Selection Flow Chart
Source: ITA Working Group 14, Mechanized Tunnelling, 2000
Pressurized-Face TBMs: EPB, Slurry and Mix Shield
EPB vs Slurry
Selection Between EPB and Slurry

Not an Easy Question
Past Years: Slurry for Sands; EPB for Silts & Clays
Must know geology and conduct soil tests Now newer Conditioning Agents injected at the face extend the range of both methods of construction Disk Cutters extend use of both for Boulders & Variable Rock
Slurry TBMs commonly used for higher water pressures

Careful not to create a blow to surface
Face stability is generally more robust with EPB
Other Issues
Prediction of Rate of Advance Abrasion and/or Clogging=maintenance or repair in Interventions Plant Size & Muck disposal issues
Seminario Internacional de Tuneles y aplicaciones ITS 26 de Marzo de 2010 Buenos Aires 2nd
Tunnelling in Rock
Drill and Blast
Tunnelling Methods
Partial-Face TBM Full-Face TBM - Gripper - Double Shield
Drill and Blast Technology Has Improved Extending Range of Drill & Blast Projects
Almost no mobilization time. Often Still Used for Shorter Projects with variable ground & changing cross section in remote areas without power
Mechanized Tunnelling in Rock
Challenge: Cutting Tools and Power
Combined Methods: Conventional and Mechanized Tunnelling
Conventional vs. Mechanized Tunnelling

2nd
Good for Geometric flexibility Adaptable to broad range of ground conditions Temporary exposure to unsupported ground Contractual flexibility Lower mobilization & plant costs Suitable for political risk or lack of contractual stability Lower costs for short tunnels & where labor is inexpensive Often slow but not expensive
Seminario Internacional de Tuneles y aplicaciones ITS 26 de Marzo de 2010 Buenos Aires
New Technology is adaptable to more ground conditions Less disturbance to the remaining ground Better and more regular quality (industrial process) Mechanization better for workers Safer because generally under protective shield Faster rate of advance Significant mobilization & Plant increasing Cost & Schedule Costs and schedule more favorable for longer tunnels
Final Remarks
Significant increase of the demand of underground structures everywhere Two Basic Issues are
Technical Feasibility Cost & Schedule
Underground structure feasibility depends on global cost analyses (construction costs + indirect benefits) Road Tunnels demand a large cross section
Trend is toward larger diameters
Conclusions
Construction methods and technology depend on geology, tunnel location, size, local tradition etc.
A large number of factors must be considered Not just a decision between conventional & mechanized
Combination of mechanized and sequential excavation methods or Special Methods may be beneficial
Conclusions
Mechanized tunnelling for long tunnels and urban areas (industrial process, quality and control of costs and schedule)
Trend is for greater innovation giving greater applicability and use of mechanized in the future.
Conventional tunnelling for short tunnels and variable conditions (geometry, geology and political flexibility, and inexpensive labour)
Mucho Gracias

Tunnel Construction Method

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Tunnel Construction Method

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Tunnel Construction Methods: Conventional vs Mechanized

March 26, 2010

Prof. Andre P. Assis, PhD

Harvey W. Parker, PhD

Huge Diverse Demand for Tunnels Worldwide

Two Basic Categories

Factors to Consider in Selection of Construction Method

Cost & Schedule

Schedule & Cost Risk Tolerance

Recent Tunnel Engineering Advances Improve Selection of Construction Method

New Generation of Pressurized TBMs

Construction Methods and Technology

Evaluate on Risk Management Principles

Road Tunnel Types

Different configurations, technologies, standards

Varies 80' - 103'

Alaskan Way, Seattle

Now, Several 3 Lane Roads in ~14m Tunnels

Mechanized Tunnelling Special Methods

Seminario Internacional de Tuneles y aplicaciones ITS 26 de Marzo de 2010 Buenos Aires

Door Frame Tunnel in Metro Brasilia

"Submerged" Cut-and-Cover: Immersed Tunnels

Mount Baker Ridge Seattle

Sequential Excavation Methods (SEM)

Full-Face Excavation Open-face Pressured-face TBM

Frame or Special Construction

Challenge: Stability & Settlement

Sequential Excavation Method (SEM)

Tcnicas Alternativas: Ground Congelamento Improvement and Reinforcement

General Mechanized Selection Flow Chart

Source: ITA Working Group 14, Mechanized Tunnelling, 2000

Pressurized-Face TBMs: EPB, Slurry and Mix Shield

Selection Between EPB and Slurry

Slurry TBMs commonly used for higher water pressures

Face stability is generally more robust with EPB

Partial-Face TBM Full-Face TBM - Gripper - Double Shield

Mechanized Tunnelling in Rock

Challenge: Cutting Tools and Power

Combined Methods: Conventional and Mechanized Tunnelling

Conventional vs. Mechanized Tunnelling

Seminario Internacional de Tuneles y aplicaciones ITS 26 de Marzo de 2010 Buenos Aires

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