EGCON -2017

SJVN LIMITED 07-8 Oct. 2017. New Delhi, India

A Joint Venture of Government of India &
Government of Himachal Pradesh)
A 'Mini Ratna' & 'Schedule A' PSU

IMPORTANCE OF SEISMIC ASPECTS FOR UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES IN

HYDRO POWER PROJECTS IN HIMALAYAS

Er. Revati Raman (Manager)

Er. Jaswant S. Kapoor (Sr. Manager)
 INTRODUCTION
Underground structures are generally considered safe against
earthquakes
 Many underground structures significantly damaged in recent
large earthquakes.
 The damage of these structures, emphasize the necessity of
including seismic aspects in the design process to obtain a more
reliable design.
 Hydropower plants contain different types of underground
structures namely diversion tunnels, head race tunnel, tail race
tunnel, surge shaft, powerhouse cavern and transformer hall
cavern etc.
 The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of seismic aspects
on stability of the underground structures especially underground
caverns of hydro power projects in Himalaya region.
 UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES DAMAGED BY EARTHQUAKES

Kobe, Japan: The Great Hanshin earthquake or Kobe earthquake, occurred on

January 17, 1995 Japan of magnitude 6.9 and strong ground motion lasted for
20 seconds.

Collapse of the Daikai Station

 UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES DAMAGED BY EARTHQUAKES

Chi-Chi, Taiwan: Also known as the 921 earthquake, was happened on September 21,
1999 at central Taiwan. It was measured 7.3 on the Richter scale. Out of 57
investigated tunnels, 49 of them were found damaged.
Turkey: The 1999 Düzce earthquake hit Turkey on 12 November with a magnitude of
7.2 and caused an extensive damage in the 16-m wide under construction twin Bolu
tunnel.
China: Great Wenchuan earthquake occurred at May 12, 2008, measuring at
8.0 caused different degrees of damage to the 11 tunnels of the Dujiangyan to
Wenchuan highway.

Bolu Tunnel Damage Tunnel collapse during Wenchuan

earthquake
 SEISMIC EFFECT ON UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES

• Earthquake is the vibration of earth’s surface caused by waves

coming from a source of disturbance inside the earth.

• Earthquake vibrations originate from the point of initiation of

rupture and propagates in all directions.

• Mainly there are three types of waves associated with

propagation of an elastic stress wave generated by an
earthquake. These are primary (P) waves, secondary (S) waves
and surface waves (Rayleigh & Love waves). These waves have
a different effect on
•
TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM
 TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM-CHANGES IN DESIGN

• Tail Race tunnel and draft tubes tunnel excavation was

completed successfully with originally designed support
system.

• During excavation, collapse of crown of collection gallery

occurred in front of Draft tube tunnel -1 and Draft tube
tunnel-2 resulting in day lighting.

• Extremely poor quality, thinly foiliated, fragile and

saturated carbonaceous phyllite rock was encountered.

• Decision was taken to design and construct the complete

collection gallery as RCC cut and cover tunnel.

• It was decided to remove the entire rock mass under

which the tail race system was originally passing.
TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM-CHANGES IN DESIGN
 TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM-DESIGN
1. The section of collection gallery at non-draft tube tunnel area was
analysed in STAAD Pro by applying all the external loads.
 TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM-DESIGN

2. The Bottom base slab of collection gallery in junction was modelled as

plate elements and analysed in STAAD Pro by applying the reactions
obtained due to the vertical loads in step1.
3. An inbuilt arch beam was provided to take the loads at junction
 TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM-DESIGN

4. Complete model of collection gallery with draft tube

tunnels was also analysed in ANSYS.

5. Section was designed for maximum forces obtained in the

analysis as per codal provisions.
 TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM-CONSTRUCTION

• Rock mass between river and proposed cut and cover tunnel was
cement grouted.

• Excavation and concreting of a zone covering two draft tube tunnel

junctions at a time was planned .

• Excavation was carried out in vertical steps of 2.5m in a length of 10m

at a time and simultaneously support was provided on the slopes.

• Elevation difference of 5m was maintained between two patches of

10m. Excavation was taken up from two fronts; one from TRT side and
other from draft tube tunnel no. 6 side.
TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM-CONSTRUCTION
 TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM-CONSTRUCTION

• Concreting of bottom raft was taken up initially

• Concreting of walls and overt simultaneously with excavation of next

zone.

• After completion of construction of whole collection gallery, the

excavated material was back filled over the section.

• The construction activities of cut and cover tunnel were completed

within the scheduled time.
TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM-CONSTRUCTION
TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM-CONSTRUCTION
TAIL RACE TUNNEL SYSTEM-CONSTRUCTION
TAIL RACE TUNNEL
TAIL RACE OUTFALL(CUT AND COVER SECTION)-LAYOUT
 TAIL RACE OUTFALL(CUT AND COVER SECTION)

• Structure comprises of tail race pond, 3 number gates and outfall

channel

• Originally, tail race pond portion was planned to be constructed open

to air with side slopes of 1horizontal: 7 vertical.

• Deep excavation to the extent of almost 30 m at the deepest part of

the pond were required.

• Rock bolts, wire mesh reinforced shotcrete and RCC lining were
planned for the stability of cut slopes.

• The channel slopes were planned to be protected with RCC lining.

 TAIL RACE OUTFALL-CHANGES IN DESIGN

• During excavation of approach road to TRT, rock encountered was

carbonaceous phyllites which was fragile and sheared with very low
UCS value of 0.28 Mpa. The C & ø values as reported were 0.14 MPa
and 23° respectively.

• This rock mass was expected to lose its strength further under
saturated conditions.

• It was inferred that slope supporting measures such as rock anchor,

shotcrete and cladding may not be able to provide intended support
strength during life of project and caving in of slopes in saturated
conditions may occur.

• It was proposed to construct the outfall pond in the form of RCC cut
and cover tunnel.

• It was decided to construct the channel portion as open channel, as

originally proposed as that area had better geological conditions and
lesser excavation.
TAIL RACE OUTFALL-CHANGES IN DESIGN

Road to TRT
 TAIL RACE OUTFALL-DESIGN

• A number of sections at different intervals were analysed in STAAD

Pro for loading conditions.

• RCC structure of cut and cover section was designed for maximum
forces obtained in the analysis and designed as per codal provisions.
 TAIL RACE OUTFALL-CONSTRUCTION

• Open excavation with maximum depth of 31.35 m.

• Excavation was taken up in steps with slope angle of 1H: 2.5 V.

• Intermediate benches were provided at 10 m height intervals.

• Excavated slope was supported with rock anchors, shotcrete with wire
mesh. Drainage holes were also provided to relive the water pressure.

• Concreting of bottom raft was taken up initially, followed by concreting

of walls and top slab.

• After construction of whole structure, the excavated material was back

filled over the section.

• The construction activities of cut and cover tunnel were completed

within the scheduled time.
TAIL RACE OUTFALL-CONSTRUCTION
TAIL RACE OUTFALL-CONSTRUCTION
TAIL RACE OUTFALL
 CONCLUSION

• Tunnel construction in the Himalayas presents various challenges in the

form of unexpected geology, challenging sites and unprecedented working
conditions.

• Design as well as construction engineers need to adopt techniques and

methodologies which are both flexible and efficient to ensure successful and
timely completion of projects.

• Large diameter hydropower tunnels passing through regions of low rock

cover present typical case studies of tunnel construction in the Himalayan
Mountains.

• The construction of Tail race system of 412 MW Rampur HEP is a good

example of thorough construction planning, proactive action to modify
design as per construction requirement and best coordinated effort by
construction & design engineers.
Er. Revati Raman Er. Vivek Chand
email: revati.raman@sjvn.nic.in email: vivek_chand@sjvn.nic.in