Tunnels

I.R.P. Gunatilaka

Introduction

Types of Tunnels
Tunnel shapes
Ground investigation
Construction process

Introduction
Tunnel is a underground passage
constructed without disturbing the
ground surface.

Tunnel constructed through

Mountain
Stream or river
Sea
Urban areas

Tunnel types

Conveyance tunnel
Water
Sewerage
Traffic tunnel
Railway tunnel
Highway tunnel
Pedestrian tunnel

Tunnel shapes
Horse show
Circular tunnel
Elliptical tunnel
For liquid conveyance
- Rectangular (for mining purpose)
- Vertical wall with arch roof
(for traffic purpose)

Ground investigation
Purpose of ground investigation
- Identification of sub-surface condition
- Plan the construction process
- Selection of equipments
- Design of structures
- Costing purpose

Identification of sub-surface condition

-

Type of rock
Type of soil
Ground water level and condition
Identify deformation features of rock
- Fault
- Fold
- Joint
- Unconformities

Planning of construction
process

- Selection of tunnel trace

- Selection of ground improvement
method

Selection of Equipment
Boring tool and method
Transporting excavated material
- by trucks and loaders
- by trains

Design of structures
- Design of linear
- Shotcrete

Construction process
-

Selection of tunnel trace

Setting out of tunnel trace
Excavation
Removing of broken rock (mucking)
Pumping of water
Construction of linear

Selection of Tunnel Trace

- Geology of the area
- Cost
- Purpose

Setting out of Tunnel

- Centre line of the tunnel locate on
the ground
- This line transferred to underground.

Excavation
- Use
* Explosive
* Machines

Excavation (contd.)
- Using explosives
* Setting up and drilling
* Loading holes with explosives and blast
them
* Ventilation
* Removing muck
* Removing ground water
* Construction of linear

Excavation (contd.)
- For short length tunnel
* Start from one side (short tunnel)
- For long tunnel start boring from
both sides

For longer tunnel intermediate shaft

Excavation (contd.)
Using TB..
- expensive
- fast

Drainage
- During construction
* Pumps can be used to collect
water
seepage cum excavation
- After completion
* Permanent drain or pumps .

Tunnel Lining
- Provides the desired shape
- Withstand soil pressure and prevent
collaps
- Prevent water leakage

Type of Lining

Steel
Bush
..
Stone
Reinforced cement

Shotcreting
Projecting the concrete
pneumatically onto a surface is
determined as shotcreting