Geological Characterization and Stability

Conditions of the Motorway Tunnels 38

of Arrangement Project of the NR43, Melbou
(W. Béjaïa)

Nassim Hallal and Rachid Bougdal

Abstract
The oriental coastal region of Béjaïa city is situated in the mountainous chain of the Babors.
The relief is steep as well as slopes which are very abrupt. In the North, the Babors coastal
massif dominates the Mediterranean Sea forming the Cap of Aokas and Djebel Djamaa N’ sia
in the city of Melbou. The recent realized tunnels (T1, T2) cross the limestone massif of
Djebel Djamaa N’ sia dated of the Jurassic era, which shows an intensive deformation due to
the fracturing as well as to the karstification. Several instabilities have been observed at the
time of their realization. Both tunnels (T1, T2) are excavated by mining in two sections;
Skullcap and stross. Basing on the geologic survey, the geotechnical interpretation and the
geomechanical classification of Bieniawski are the basis for what the retaining type were
stopped (Flies, anchoring bolts or the special processes for particular cases).

Keywords
Babors Tunnels Instability Support systems Geomechanic classification

road. A quoted pavement of 80 cm in Width on the both

38.1 Introduction
sides (sea and mountain) in every tunnel is also planned.
In the framework of the extension of NR43 (Béjaïa), two
tunnels (T1, T2) were executed for the aim of crossing the
limestone massif of Djebel Djemaa N’ sia. The total length
38.3 Geological Setting
of the both tunnels is about 1,497 m (Fig. 38.1).
The tunnels T1 and T2 on the NR43 which cross the massif
The thickness of the skullcap cover is approximately
of Djebel Djamaa N’ sia are situated in the Melbou
170 m for T2 and 135 m for T1. These two tunnels were
municipality. The geological formations observed in both
excavated by mining in two sections, skullcap and stross.
tunnels have the same nature of the Jurassic limestone
(Coutelle 1979).
38.2 Presentation of the Work

The arrangement project of the NR43 consists in the reali-

38.4 Geology of the Studied Area
zation of two tunnels, which are monotube with two ways,
The massif of Djebel Djemaa N’ sia is featured by hard
of a width of 11.10 m, to 7.23 m of height and a 2 × 4 m
limestone rocks (Figs. 38.5 and 38.6), grey color and brown
patina (Leikine 1971). Most of the outcrops show an intense
deformation due to the paroxysmal phase of the Miocene
N. Hallal (&)
R. Bougdal
Scientific University of Algiers USTHB, Algiers, Algeria (kirèche 1993), that is expressed by fractures more or less
e-mail: geoaokas@yahoo.fr closed papered with calcite and iron oxides deposits. The
R. Bougdal stratification plans are observed in several points on the
e-mail: bougdalr@yahoo.fr extreme of the massif; they are characterized by directions

G. Lollino et al. (eds.), Engineering Geology for Society and Territory – Volume 6, 237
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-09060-3_38, © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015
238
Fig. 38.1 Situation map of both
tunnels (T1, T2)
Fig. 38.2 Karstic cavity in the tunnel T1
going from N040° to N070° and dips from 40° to 75°
southward.
A big vertical fault (N070°) is observed on the Djebel
Djemaa N’sia upstream side. Secondary faults, which break
off in the contact of the major fault, are observed along the
NR43.
Along the borders of this massif, limestone breaches few
to well concreted and masses landslides with reddish clay
matrix are observed, they mask the limestone feet of cliffs at
around depressions from the East tunnel portal T02 (PK 0
+900) until the Melbou exit of (PK 1+700), where we find
N. Hallal and R. Bougdal
Fig. 38.3 Karstic cavity in the tunnel T2
strengthened sand beds which are surmounted by a layer of
reddish clays.
From the tunnel T02 (PK 0+900) to the slope of the
ravine, schist formations (crossed by the engineering work)
appear, the first one is of marly nature and yellowish to
brunette color which is in unconformity on a gray to black
clay formation, crossed by calcite veins of very variable
thicknesses (Obert 1981).
38 Geological Characterization and Stability Conditions
Fig. 38.4 a Stereographic
diagrams of the measures inside
tunnel T1. Lower hemisphere.
b Stereographic diagrams of the
measures inside tunnel T2. Lower
hemisphere
38.5 Main Causes of Instability
38.5.1 The Fracturing
The limestone massif is crossed by a big vertical fault
(N070°), Observed on the upstream side of Djebel Djemaa
N’ sia. The continuation of this fault toward the southeast
controls the geomorphology of limestone massif bounds.
Secondary fault systems, which break off in the contact of
the major fault, are observed along the NR43. Three sets of
faults were registered along these tunnels during the digging
works. The first one presents a direction of N025° to N040°,
the second presents a direction of N050° to N075° and the
third is characterized by a N090° direction.
A systematic measurement of the fracturing was effectu-
ated during the progress in both tunnels (Fig. 38.4). As a
consequence, data have been collected and statistically
treated by a stereographic projection. These analyses confirm
the existence of three fractures families.
Fractures observed at both tunnels are the result of the
fracturing engendered by the tectonic movements of com-
pression undergone by the rocks’ formations during geologic
history (Kirèche 1993). Three families of discontinuities are
observed. They present, generally, the same orientation as the
families observed in the Tunnel of Cap Aokas (Hallal and
Bensafia 2011; Bougdal 2009). The spacing and the thick-
ness of the discontinuities are very variable, they contain
mostly brunette to yellowish clays, with sometimes alterna-
tions of thin layers blackish. These zones are mostly the seat
of detachment of dihedral due to the bad holding of the rock.
38.6 Karstification
The limestone massifs of the Babors Lias are known by the
existence of numerous dissolution and subterranean canal
cavities which can develop on several kilometers.
239
In the calcareous massif of Djebel Djamaa N’ sia, the
karstic cavities were met throughout the drilling of both
tunnels T1 and T2. They are characterized of a simple clayey
filling of in the typical open karstic canal, passing by a
karstic levels or sealed cavities. The majority of these phe-
nomena develop on fracturing plans.
For the tunnel T1, several karstic spaces and caves were
met, The most important were met in PK 0+121 (Fig. 38.2)
and in PK 0+223 (Fig. 38.3), where the first one requires
49 m3 of the concrete for its filling and the second space
presents a total volume of 2,199.92 m3 situated on highly-
rated upstream of the tunnel axis. Besides, several karstic
space were also been met, they are characterized by clayey
fillings and intense fracturing associated with breaches.
Between the Pk 0+760.90 and 0+780.80 a karstic system
developed. Indeed, this part of the tunnel is characterized by
fillings furniture established by pebbles and blocks of
limestone wrapped in a brown and yellowish clayey matrix.
This training presents a very precarious stability. None of the
recut karstic space is really active from the point of view of
in-rushes of water. For the tunnel T2, a karstic zone was met
during the digging between Pk 0+169 and Pk 0+114. It is
established by blocks centimeter in metrics wrapped in a
reddish clayey matrix. The most important were met at the
level of Pk 0+100, Pk 0+157 and in Pk 0+177 underlined by
the presence of stalactites and stalagmites. The cave met at
the level of Pk 0+177 presents a stream of low debit and an
alluvial deposits testifying of a former strong flow.
38.7 Hydrogeology
38.7.1 General Framework
The fracturing and the karstification confers to the calcare-
ous massif of Djebel Djemaa N’ sia (massif of Babors) a
sufficient permeability for the infiltration and the accumu-
lation of subterranean waters (Obert 1981). The
240
hydrogeologic situation of both tunnels is identical; it is
represented in both cases by the Jurassic permeable lime-
stone formations. The flows of groundwater met are those of
karstic type through a discontinuity network and karstic
channels.
The tunnel T2 is different from the tunnel T1 in this case
by the presence of a small ravine of an important debit
during the rainy periods, So it emerges from this hydro-
geologic situation that more or less important water in-
rushes could arise during the drilling of the tunnel and
infiltrations of water can be expected in the tunnel T2 during
the drilling.
38.7.2 In-Rushes of Water in Tunnels
38.7.2. Tunnel T1
• No coming water occurred during the works of
excavation;
• A water seepage resulting from fractures in direct contact
with karstic space;
• A water seepage is especially observed in skullcap, they
appeared near the karstic space and to the contact of the
faults;
• Numerous seepages are observed in tectonic zones, with
very low debit.
38.7.2. Tunnel T2
• The temporary nature of the comings waters shows that it
is mainly percolations waters till the surface of the rock
massif in rainy period;
• Seepage and coming of water were more frequent near
the karstic cavity, they appeared skullcap to the right of
fractures. In the karstic space, met at the level of Pk 0
+177, a stream of weak debit was met and sediment
trainings witness of a high debit of water.
In both tunnels, during heavy rain, the coming of water
were systematically listed and gauged when their debit
allowed it.
38.8 Behavior of the Rock Massif
in the Progress
During the digging works, the observations made during the
progress to estimate the holding of the rock after mining and
to recover extra profiles in the unstable zones are proved true
difficult because of the works of marinating and bleeding,
Which followed directly mine blasting, and fast pose of a
protection coat of concrete thrown in skullcap and partially
in facings.
N. Hallal and R. Bougdal
38.8.1 Skullcap
The unsticking of the dihedrals is inexistent in skullcap
during the progress of both tunnels, a little lesser in tunnel
T2, situated in the faults zones.
The holding of the rock in skullcap has been proved
globally good to very good, rarely bad or very bad in
intensely broken or karstified zones.
38.8.2 Facings
For both tunnels, the holding of the rock in facing has been
proved globally good to very good, with some noticed
instabilities. A bad to very bad holding in intensely broken
zones, in the zones of weaknesses as well as in the karstic
spaces.
38.8.3 Attack Front
Faces presented a good behavior, with some limited cases of
bad holding due to the fracturing and to the karstification of
the rock and to the nature of filling.
38.9 Geotechnics
38.9.1 Geomechanical Characteristics of Rocks
• According to the standard IN ISO 14689-1, the calcare-
ous massif of DJ Djemaa N’ sia presents a resistance to
compression with a rocky matrix estimated as high to
very high.
• The results of mechanical tests made on the calcareous
massif within the framework of the study of each con-
straint met in the progress (fractured and karstic zones)
revealed low resistance in the compression with a rocky
matrix globally less resistant.
38.10 Application of the Method
of BIENIAWSKI in the Crossed Massif
The method applied for the classification of the rock massif
of DJ Djemaa N’ sia is the method of BIENIAWSKI (Bie-
niawski 1968; Barton et al. 1974), in order to arrive at a
global evaluation of its quality.
The Figs. 38.5 and 38.6 summarize the evolution of the
variation of the RMR and the retaining structure set up
according to the digging in both tunnels.
38 Geological Characterization and Stability Conditions 241

Fig. 38.5 Geological and geotechnical cup of the tunnel T2

Fig. 38.6 Geotechnical and geological cup of the tunnel T1

Fig. 38.7 Variation of RMR and type of retaining structure realized along T2

Fig. 38.8 Variation of RMR and type of retaining structure realized along T1

These figures show that the geotechnical characteristics of zones which coincide with the zones of faults. The variation
the met rock formations are variable. The bad characteristics of the RMR along tunnels T1 and T2 is given in the fol-
were met in the zones of strong fracturing and the karstic lowing Figs. 38.7 and 38.8.
242
38.11 Conclusion
The study and the follow-up geologic works made along
both tunnels (T1, T2), allowed us to collect a significant
number of data which found the following utilities:
From a geologic point of view, the massif crossed by
tunnels is essentially represented by limestones dolomitic
massifs of the lower Jurassic.
From a hydrogeologic point of view, no ground-water
was revealed in the massif and no coming of water was
observed in the tunnel T1, except for the inside of the tunnel
T2 in Pk 0+177, a stream of weak debit was met.
The analysis of the in situ tests results and those in lab-
oratory, realized within the framework of the study of each
met constraint and according to the standard IN ISO 14689-1
used for the classification of calcareous massif of DJ. Dje-
maa N’ sia, the geomechanical characteristics of the crossed
massif are summarized as follows:
• A compression resistance with a rocky matrix estimated
as high to very high for the calcareous massif of Djebel
Djemaa N’ sia.
• The geomechanical application of the classification of
Bieniawski shows that the geological and geotechnical
characteristics of the crossed massif vary along traces, It
shows a succession of zones classified in the categories II
(good), III (average), IV (bad) and V (very bad).
By basing itself on the Bieniawski classification, the
retaining structures adopted for every classification in every
tunnel are the following ones:
In the category II (C)
• A coat of concrete thrown by thickness 50 mm;
• Bolts of anchorings of 4 m length with a stitch of
1.5 m × 1.5 m.
In the category III (B10)
• A coat of welded fatigues dress;
• A coat of concrete thrown by thickness 10 cm;
N. Hallal and R. Bougdal
• Bolts of anchorings of 4 m length with a stitch of
1 m × 1.5 m.
In the category IV (A)
• A coat of concrete thrown by thickness 150 mm;
• A coat of welded fatigues dress;
• Arch reticule (H = 94 mm), spaced of 1 m;
• A coat of welded fatigues dress;
• Bolts of anchorings of 4 m length with a stitch of 1 m
× 1 m.
In the category V
• Bend umbrella;
• A coat of welded fatigues dress;
• Arch reticule (H = 162 mm), spaced of 1 m;
• A coat of welded fatigues dress;
• A coat of concrete thrown by thickness 200 mm;
• Bolts of anchorings of 4 m length with a stitch of
1 m × 1 m.
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