ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF PERMEABLE PRESSURE TUNNELS

THE INFLUENCE OF THE MASSIF ROCHEUX’S ANISOTROPIC PERMEABILITY

By Meire Adriane Q. Cangussu and Anton Schleiss

ABSTRACT : In this work, the finite element method has been used by applying the software package Z-SOIL for studying
the influence of an anisotropic permeability on the water loss in a pressure tunnel. In a limited number of cases, the
characteristics of water flow around the pressure tunnel in a terrain having different values of vertical and horizontal
permeability has been shown. Finally, the influence of the direction of the permeability coefficient on the water loss in a
pressure tunnel has been evaluated.

RÉSUMÉ : Ce travail s’appuie sur la méthode des éléments finis lors de l’application du logiciel Z-SOIL pour étudier
l’influence d’une perméabilité anisotrope sur les fuites d’eau engendrées dans les systèmes d’adduction d’eau en charge. Ainsi,
nous avons défini les caractéristiques de l’écoulement qui s’établit autour d’une galerie en charge lorsque celle-ci est creusée
dans un terrain avec un coefficient de perméabilité anisotrope. En autre, l’influence de la direction de la perméabilité sur
l’évolution du débit de fuite d’une galerie en charge a été évaluée.

INTRODUCTION where x denotes the reach of the seepage flow in

In this work, the problems of a pressure tunnel
under a transitory regime were simulated in order
to study the characteristics of the water flow
around it in a terrain having different values of
permeability. We used the software package Z-
SOIL 2D, developed by Zace Services Ltd. It is a
numerical model for the simulation of the
underground structure problems using the finite
element method.
At first, according to Bouvard and Niquet (1980),
in order to enable us to determine the water loss of
a pressure tunnel under a transitory regime in a
homogeneous ground above the phreatic surface,
the analytic solution has been obtained from the
following equations:
the vertical of the tunnel’s axis. Those two
equations clearly show that the discharge is a
function of X and that X is determined in function
of time.
The numerical simulation was made with the
software package Z-SOIL 2D and used the same
data of the analytic solution, supposing that the
ground’s vertical permeability is constant
(ky=10-6 m/s) and we varied the horizontal
permeability kx between 10-8 and 10-4 m/s.
In order to verify the coherence between the
analytic and the digital solutions, the problems of a
pressure tunnel under a transitory regime were
simulated according to the exposition of Sarf and
Davalle (1998).

In the different cases under study, the tunnel’s

2π k (H 0 + X ) radius measures 1,875 m and is under an inner
q( X ) =
⎡ ⎛π ⎞⎤ pressure of 100 m of water height and we vary the
⎢ sinh ⎜ X ⎟⎥ permeability of the terrain between 10-8 and 10-4
ln ⎢ ⎝ 2 a ⎠ ⎥ + 3π ( X − R )
m/s.
⎛ πR0 ⎞ ⎥ 2a
0
⎢
⎢ sinh ⎜ 2 a ⎟ ⎥
⎣ ⎝ ⎠ ⎦ The results of the discharge’s evolution in function
of time, obtained by means of the analytic and
4η a
X
numerical solution for each permeability, are
Time ( X ) = ∫ ⎡ ⎛ π ⎞ ⎤
dX
shown on Figure 1.
⎢ cosh ⎜ 2 a X ⎟
R0
⎥
q( X )⎢ ⎝ ⎠ + 3⎥
⎢ ⎛ π ⎞ ⎥
We observe that in the anisotropic case the tunnel’s
⎢ sinh ⎜⎝ 2 a X ⎟⎠ ⎥ losses are considerably higher when the horizontal
⎣ ⎦

1
 permeability of the terrain is higher. In this case, as VERIFICATION OF THE WATER
a matter of fact, the seepage flows faster in LOSS IN FUNCTION OF THE
direction of the terrain having the higher
PERMEABILITY DIRECTION
permeability.
We intend to study here the influence of the
direction of the terrain’s permeability around a
pressure tunnel above its water loss.

6.0 In order to deal with this problem, we vary the

Z-SOIL 2D (Kx =1e-4 m/ s - Ky = 1e-6 m/s)
angle (ß) between the direction of the permeability
Z-SOIL 2D (Kx =1e-5 m/ s - Ky = 1e-6 m/s)

Z-SOIL 2D (Kx = Ky = 1e-6 m/s)

x’ and the horizontal axis of the tunnel x from 0 to
5.0
Z-SOIL 2D (Kx =1e-7 m/ s - Ky = 1e-6 m/s)
90° for different values of the permeability
Z-SOIL 2D (Kx =1e-8 m/ s - Ky = 1e-6 m/s)
coefficient kx (10-8 < kx < 10-4 m/s).
4.0 Analytical Solution (Kx = Ky = 1e-5 m/s)

Analytical Solution (Kx = Ky = 1e-6 m/s) Figure 2, 3 and 5 show the curves of the evolution
of the water loss in function of time, obtained for
Débits (l/s)

Analytical Solution (Kx = Ky = 1e-7 m/s)

3.0 Analytical Solution (Kx = Ky = 1e-8 m/s) different values of the permeability coefficient kx
and of ß variations employed, as follows:

2.0
− On Figure 2, the tunnel is supposed to be
circular having an inner radius of 1.875 m and
inner pressure pi of 100 m of water height.
1.0

− On Figure 3, the tunnel’s inner radius is

0.0 identical to the one shown on Figure 2, but the
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 tunnel has inner pressure pi of 200 m water
Tem ps (m in)
height.
0.6

− On Figure 4, in order to proceed to the

evaluation of the concordance between the two
results, we suppose that the tunnel has an inner
0.4
radius of 3.0 m and that it has inner pressure pi
Débits (l/s)

of 100 m water height, as on Figure 2.

It is interesting to notice that in this study the

0.2
values of water loss in the tunnel are influenced not
only by the value of permeability, but also by its
direction in relation to the position of the tunnel’s
axis in the terrain, i.e., in function of the variation
0.0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
of ß.
Tem ps (m in)

Figure 1 – Evolution of the water loss in function
of time and the permeability around the tunnel
(ri=1.975 and pi=10 bars).
The ensemble of results presented in Figure 2 - 4
shows that the curves having the highest values of
discharge appear when the values of ß equal 0° and
90°. It is important to realize as well that those
curves are always identical. It also shows that, to
the contrary of the case previously mentioned, the

2
 8.0 10.0
0 ≤ β ≤ 90° 8.0 0 ≤ β ≤ 90°
6.0

Débits (l/s)
Débits (l/s)

kx = 1e-4 m/s kx = 1e-4 m/s

ky = 1e-6 m/s 6.0 ky = 1e-6 m/s
4.0
4.0
2.0 2.0

0.0 0.0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

4.0 4.0

0 ≤ β ≤ 90° 0 ≤ β ≤ 90°
3.0

Débits (l/s)
3.0 kx = 1e-5 m/s
Débits (l/s)

kx = 1e-5 m/s
ky = 1e-6 m/s ky = 1e-6 m/s
2.0 2.0

1.0
1.0

0.0
0.0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

2.0 2.0
0 ≤ β ≤ 90°
0 ≤ β ≤ 90° 1.5
1.5 Débits (l/s) kx = 1e-6 m/s
Débits (l/s)

kx = 1e-6 m/s
ky = 1e-6 m/s
ky = 1e-6 m/s 1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
0.0
0.0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
1.5
1.5
0 ≤ β ≤ 90°
Débits (l/s)

0 ≤ β ≤ 90° 1.0 kx = 1e-7 m/s

Débits (l/s)

1.0 kx = 1e-7 m/s ky = 1e-6 m/s

ky = 1e-6 m/s
0.5
0.5

0.0
0.0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
1.2
1.2
0 ≤ β ≤ 90°
0 ≤ β ≤ 90°
Débits (l/s)

kx = 1e-8 m/s
Débits (l/s)

0.8
0.8 kx = 1e-8 m/s ky = 1e-6 m/s
ky = 1e-6 m/s
0.4
0.4

0.0
0.0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Temps(min)
Temps(min)
Figure 2 – Evolution of the water losses in Figure 3 – Evolution of the water losses in
function of time and of the direction of the function of time and of the direction of the
permeability around the tunnel (ri = 1.875 m and permeability around the tunnel (ri = 1.975 m and
pi = 10 bars). pi = 20 bars).

3
 curves having the lowest values of discharge don’t
10.0 present the same constancy. This means that the
8.0 0 ≤ β ≤ 90° curves representing those values appear at random
Débits (l/s)

kx = 1e-4 m/s
6.0 ky = 1e-6 m/s (different values for ß) in function of the ground’s
permeability.
4.0
2.0 As a matter of fact, regarding the curves having the
0.0 lowest values of discharge, we realize that, for
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 ground of permeability kx inferior to ky, they
appear for the values of ß between 0 and 45°,
4.0
mostly when ß is close to 10 degrees. However, for
0 ≤ β ≤ 90°
3.0 kx = 1e-5 m/s
the ground where the permeability kx is superior to
Débits (l/s)

ky = 1e-6 m/s ky, these curves appear when the values of ß are
2.0 between 45 and 90°.
1.0
According to the different values of permeability in
0.0 the ground considered and represented in the
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Figure 2 to 4, the results obtained, for a variation of
2.0
ß between 0 and 90°, reveal that the most elevated
curve of discharge is superior around 40 and 70%
0 ≤ β ≤ 90°
1.5 to the lowest curve of discharge.
Débits (l/s)

kx = 1e-6 m/s
ky = 1e-6 m/s
1.0 On continuing this study, we will admit a reference
0.5 discharge Qo found in a ground constituted of a
homogeneous permeability, i.e., kx = ky. In the
0.0 Figures 5 to 7, we draw the curves of evolution of
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 the discharge in function of the variation of ß (the
1.5 angle formed by the direction of the permeability
0 ≤ β ≤ 90°
x’ and the horizontal axis of the tunnel x) for the
reference time t =10 m, 1 h, 2 h and 3 h.
Débits (l/s)

1.0 kx = 1e-7 m/s

ky = 1e-6 m/s
Thus, the graphics of Figures 5 and 7 enable us to
0.5
define the effect produced on the evolution of the
discharge in function of the variation of ß, when
0.0 the inner pressure of the tunnel varies. In the other
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 hand, the graphics of Figures 5 and 7 define the
1.2 behavior of the evolution of the discharge in
0 ≤ β ≤ 90° function of the variation of ß when the inner radius
varies.
Débits (l/s)

kx = 1e-8 m/s
0.8
ky = 1e-6 m/s
We observe that, apparently, the curves don’t
0.4
present the same behavior regarding the variation
of the permeability coefficient kx. However,
0.0
despite their quite different appearance, it can be
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
said that those results present a similar behavior
Temps(min) during the whole time. It is interesting to notice
that all the curves follow a curve of regression of
Figure 4 – Évolution du débit de fuite en fonction
the fifth degree polynomial type. Of course, those
du temps et de la direction de la perméabilité
curves characterize a behavior of the following
autour de la galerie (ri = 3.0 m et pi = 10 bars).

4
 10.0 10.0
Time = 10 min Time = 10 min
8.0 8.0

6.0 6.0
Q/Q0

Q/Q0
4.0 4.0

2.0 2.0

0.0 0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
β β

10.0 10.0
Time = 1h Time = 1h
8.0 8.0

6.0 6.0

Q/Q0
Q/Q0

4.0 4.0

2.0 2.0

0.0 0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

β β
10.0 10.0
Time = 2h
8.0 8.0 Time = 2h

6.0 6.0
Q/Q0

Q/Q0

4.0 4.0

2.0 2.0

0.0 0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
β β

10.0 10.0
Time = 3h
8.0 8.0
Time = 3h
6.0 6.0
Q/Q0
Q/Q0

4.0 4.0

2.0 2.0

0.0 0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
β β
(inclination angle measured from x axis to x' permeability direction)
(inclination angle measured fromx axis to x' permeability direction)
kx/ky = 1 kx/ky = 100 kx/ky = 10 kx/ky = 0.1 kx/ky = 0.01
kx/ky = 1 kx/ky = 100 kx/ky = 10
kx/ky = 0.1 kx/ky = 0.01

Figure 5 – Evolution of the water losses in Figure 6 – Evolution of the water losses in
function of time and of the direction of the function of time and of the direction of the
permeability around the tunnel (ri = 1.875 m et permeability around the tunnel (ri = 1.875 and
pi = 10 bars). pi = 20 bars).

5
 kind :
12.0

10.0 Time = 10 min

Q
8.0 = C1 β 5 + C 2 β 4 + C 3 β 3 + C 4 β 2 + C 5 β + C 6
Q0
Q/Q0

6.0

4.0

2.0 Let us consider now that the inner pressure of the

0.0 tunnel is raised. When we compare the graphics of
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Figure 5 and 6 that take the factor time in
β consideration, we can therefore verify that the
12.0
curves are the same, except for the case where the
permeability coefficient kx =10-4 m/s. Nevertheless,
10.0 Time = 1 h
even in this case, this difference is relatively slight.
8.0
Q/Q0

6.0 If we take this particular case (Figures 5 and 6) as a

4.0 starting point, it can be said that the water loss at
the interior of a tunnel is directly proportional to
2.0
the inner pressures. It is apparently what happens
0.0
in a general way.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
β Now we are going to raise the value of the inner
12.0 radius of the tunnel. Besides, if we compare the
10.0 Time = 2 h graphics shown on Figures 5 and 7, we may
observe that the curves are not the same, especially
8.0
when the permeability coefficient kx =10-4 m/s. For
Q/Q0

6.0 this reasons, we have analyzed those two figures

4.0 taking in consideration the effect of the variation of
2.0 the rate kx/ky produced on the evolution of the
0.0
discharge.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
β
We notice that, when the rate kx/ky is inferior to the
unit, the curves present a similar behavior. It is
12.0 interesting to observe that the water loss in the
10.0 Time = 3 h tunnel is inversely proportional to the raise of the
8.0
inner radius’s length, considering that, when the
length of ri is raised, for the same inner pressure,
Q/Q0

6.0
the discharge of water loss decreases.
4.0

2.0 When the rate kx/ky is superior to the unit, the

0.0
curves don’t follow the same tendencies of the
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 ones given when the rate kx/ky is inferior to the
β
unit. This divergence is rather more pronounced
(inclination angle measured fromx axis to x' permeability direction) when kx/ky is higher than 10.
kx/ky =1 kx/ky =100 kx/ky = 10 kx/ky =0.1 kx/ky =0.01

Figure 7 – Evolution of the water losses in

function of time and of the direction of the
permeability around the tunnel (ri = 3 m et pi = 10
bars).

6
STUDY OF WATER FLOW AROUND The study led us to a better qualitative and
A TUNNEL IN FUNCTION OF THE quantitative knowledge of the establishment of
water floss generated by the tunnel’s discharge.
DIRECTION OF PERMEABILITY

In this paragraph, we show different graphics

representing the evolution of the zone of terrain 8

saturated of water around a tunnel. They depict the 6

characteristics of water flow established in the 4

ground around a pressure tunnel in function of the 2 20

anisotropy of the permeability.
0
Y 0 2 4 6 8
-2 15
In any case, we admit that the tunnel’s inner radius
is 1.875 m and that it is under the inner pressure pi -4

of 100 m of water height. As a matter of fact, we -6

10

have drawn on Figure 8 the water flow network of -8

some cases appearing above on figures 2 and 4. -10
5

The ensemble of graphics chosen will give the X

reader a clear idea of the general characteristics of Y 0
the water flow network in an anisotropic ground. 0 2 4 6
10
-5
We notice (as we already expected) that water
circulates faster in direction of the terrain having 5

the highest permeability. Of course, the seepage -10

flow is faster in the part of the ground having the 0

highest permeability coefficient. Y

0 5 10 15
-15

-5

-20

-10
X
CONCLUSIONS
-15
The phenomenon of water loss in a pressure tunnel X
is complex and difficult to calculate, given the
variety of factors inherent in this process. The
10
consequences that arise from the losses developing
5
in an uncontrolled way could bring important
security and economic problems. In order to Y 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
evaluate this phenomenon in a more precise way, -5

many authors have developed methods based on -10

X
hypothesis which led to realistic estimates
regarding those losses. T = 1min T = 10min T = 1h
T = 2h T = 3h ri = 1.875

In this work, we have analyzed the influence of the

massif rocher’s anisotropic permeability on the
water loss of a pressure tunnel. In this context, we Figure 8 – Graphic representation of the water
have analyzed the following concepts: flow network around the tunnel (ri =1.785m and
- Verification of the water losses in function of pi=10 bars).
the permeability’s direction.
- Study of water flow around a tunnel in function
of the permeability’s direction.

7
Some conclusions that seemed to appear from the
calculation or from the considerations developed
above:

- Water loss in the tunnel is strongly influenced

by the rate of the permeability coefficients kx/ky.
- Water loss in the tunnel is also influenced by the
permeability coefficient’s direction in relation to
the tunnel axis’s position in the terrain, i.e., in
function of the variation of ß.
- Water loss inside the tunnel is directly
proportional to inner pressure.
- Water loss inside the tunnel is inversely
proportional to the raise of the length of inner
radius.
- The seepage is faster in the area having the
higher permeability coefficient.

Those conclusions give us basic ideas to pursuit the

study of the influence of the massif rocher’s
anisotropic permeability on the water flow network
established around a pressure tunnel. It is obvious
that this study is only a general approach and a
deeper analysis must be made in order to obtain
sharper conclusions.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

BOUVARD M., NIQUET J. J.

‘’ Ecoulements transitoires dans les massifs autour
d’une galerie en charge’’
La Houille Blanche, n° 3, 1980.

Zimmermann T. et all.
‘’ Z-SOIL 3D (Finite Element Analysis Package
for Underground Structures)’’
User’s manual; 1995.