MEMORANDUM

Subject -
Project -
Project code -
Status Unverified (no rights can be claimed from unverified, non-approved, documents)
Date 23 March 2018
Reference -
Author(s) -

Appendices -

To bedrijfsnaam / company

1 QUESTION

You have been asked for an initial decision on the orientation of an underground structure at a
depth of 500 m below the ground surface. This structure comprises two caverns, each 100 m long
x 20 m wide x 40 m high, to be built in a rock mass containing definite fracture sets. You have
also been asked about the best shape for the cross-section of the tunnels. The dip direction and dip
of the fracture sets are 270/45 and 90/45; the direction of the maximum principal stress is
horizontal, west-east, and its magnitude is twice the value of both the vertical and the other
horizontal stress component. The ratio of the maximum principal stress component to the intact
rock uniaxial compressive strength is 0.5.

(a) Describe your initial design in terms of cavern orientation and shape.
(b) Discuss possible construction risks based on your initial design.

2 PROPOSED LAYOUT
2.1 Cavern orientation
The proposed tunnel trend (axis orientation) is chosen from south to north. There are some discussion as
follow:
- The maximum principal stress is horizontal west-east. Making the tunnel perpendicular to maximum
horizontal principal stress is favourable condition to accommodate the stress in geometry.
- There is consequence of having the tunnel axis stretching from south to north. Driving tunnel parallel to
strike can be very unfavourable situation if the dip angle is more than 45 degrees. It can be argued that
in this geologic situation, driving with 45 degree dips angle is in fair situation since driving with dips
angle of 20 - 45 can be considered as fair condition.

Witteveen+Bos Raadgevende ingenieurs B.V.

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