TUNNEL

ENGINEERING

Prepared By:-
Khuhsbu Bhatt
Assistant professor
Parul University
VAdodara
 INTRODUCTION
 Tunnels are underground passages used for
transportation. They could be used for carrying
freights and passengers, water, sewage, etc.
 The methods involved are underground operations
known as tunnel driving and the surface is not
disturbed
 It is understood that first tunnel was constructed by
Egyptians and Babylonians about 4000 years ago. It
was built to connect two buildings in Babylon. The
length, width, and height of this tunnel were 910 m,
360 cm, 450 cm respectively.
THAMES TUNNEL(LONDON)
 ADVANTAGES OF TUNNELING
 Tunnels are more economical than open cuts beyond
certain depths
 Tunnels avoid disturbing or interfering with surface life
and traffic during construction
 Tunnels prove to be cheaper than bridges or open cuts to
carry public utility services like water, sewer and gas
 if tunnels are provided with easy gradients, the cost of
hauling is decreased
 In case of aerial warfare and bombing of cities, the
tunnels would grant better protection as compared to
bridges
 ECONOMIES OF TUNNELING
 In general it depends on relative cost of open tunnel
vs tunelling some aspects are given below.
 Nature of soil, particularly in deep cutting, with the
consequent side slopes and volume of excavation
 If the soil is hard rock, the open cut could be of steep
slope, involving much less volume of excavation and
may prove cheaper
 The requirements of fill in the neighborhood also
largely influence the choice. If a large amount of
material is needed for the nearby fill, an open cut
may be justified
SELECTION OF ROUTE OF TUNNEL
 Alignment restraints: Underground space is a
heterogeneous mass and in addition, problems like
water table, position of fractured rocks etc. are to be
tackled. A through detailed inspection and evaluation
of the existing alignment restraints of underground
space should therefore be made & correlated with the
tunneling technology to be adopted for the project

 Environmental considerations: The site of tunnel

should be selected in such a way that the least
difficulty is experienced for various environmental
factors such as disposal of exhaust gas, groundwater,
muck, etc.
 TUNNELLING THROUGH ROCK
 Full face method: The full face method is adopted only
for small tunnels whose dimensions do not exceed
about 3 m. The vertical columns are fixed at suitable
height. A series of drillholes about 10 mm to 40 mm
diameter are drilled at about 1200 mm centres.
 Heading & bench system: This is the method usually
adopted for all railway tunnels. The heading is the top
portion which will be 3700 mm to 4600 mm ahead of
the bottom portion known as bench.
 Cantilever car dump method: This arrangement
consists of two plate girders about 23 m long and fixed
at 1800 mm centres. A belt conveyor fitted with a
number of jacks is running on these plate girders, the
ends of which project beyond full face of the bench.
 TUNNELLING THROUGH ROCKS
(CONTD)
 Drift system: In this system, a drift is first
driven of appropriate size, usually of 3000 mm
by 3000 mm. The drillholes are provided all
round the drift in entire cross section of tunnel.
 Pilot tunnel method: The pilot tunnel which is
first driven to full size is connected to the
centre-line of the main tunnel, can be started
from a number of holes. The pilot tunnel also
helps in removal of muck and the lighting and
ventilation of the main tunnel
ANCIENT METHOD OF DIGGING
TUNNEL THROUGH ROCKS
 TUNNELLING THROUGH SOFT
GROUND
 Forepoling method: In this method, a frame in the
shape A is prepared and placed near the face of the
tunnel covered with suitable planks. The poles are then
inserted at top and continued to a depth upto which
they can be easily taken up. The forepoling is an old
method and it can be used successfully for carrying out
tunnelling operations through ground

 Needle beam method : This method is useful when the

soil is hard enough to stand for few minutes. A small
drift is prepared for inserting a needle beam consisting
of two I-girders and bolted together with a wooden
block in the centre.
 TUNNELLING THROUGH SOFT
GROUND (CONTD)
 Five-piece set method: In this method, the widening
of the tunnel is carried out by using a set of timbering
consisting of five pieces.

 Liner plates method: In this method, the timbering is

replaced by pressed steel plates of standard sizes. The
advantages of this method are: They are light, Easy to
handle, Larger than timber pieces, require less
number of joints, They are fire-proof, They can be
erected by unskilled labour .
Tunnelling Methods
The choice of tunnelling method may be
dictated by:
 geological and hydrological conditions,

 cross-section and length of continuous

tunnel,
 local experience and time/cost

considerations (what is the value of time in

the project),
 limits of surface disturbance, and many

others factors.
tunnel construction methods:
 Classical methods
 Mechanical drilling/cutting
 Cut-and-cover
 Drill and blast
 Shields and tunnel boring machines
(TBMs)
 New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM)
 Immersed tunnels
 Special methods (Tunnel jacking, etc.)
 The process for bored tunnelling involves
all or some of the following operations:
 Probe drilling (when needed)
 Grouting (when needed)
 Excavation (or blasting)
 Supporting
 Transportation of muck
 Lining or coating/sealing
 Draining
 Ventilation
Classical Methods
 Among the classical methods are the
Belgian, English, German, Austrian,
Italian and American systems. These
methods had much in common with
early mining methods and were used
until last half of the 19th century.
 Excavation was done by hand or simple
drilling equipment.
 Supports were predominantly timber,
and transportation of muck was done
on cars on narrow gauge tracks and
powered by steam.
 Progress was typically in multiple stages
i.e. progress in one drift, then support,
then drift in another drift, and so on.
 The lining would be of brickwork.

These craft-based methods are no

longer applicable, although some of
their principles have been used in
combination up to present day.
Nevertheless some of the world’s great
tunnels were built with these methods.
The English method (crown-bar
method, figure left) started from a
central top heading which allowed
two timber crown bars to be
hoisted into place, the rear ends
supported on a completed length
of lining, the forward ends
propped within the central
heading. Development of the
heading then allowed additional
bars to be erected around the
perimeter of the face with boards
between each pair to exclude the
ground. The system is economical
in timber, permits construction of
the arch of the tunnel in full-face
excavation, and is tolerant of a
wide variety of ground conditions,
but depends on relatively low
ground pressures.
 The Austrian (cross-bar) method
required a strongly constructed
central bottom heading upon
which a crown heading was
constructed. The timbering for
full-face excavation was then
heavily braced against the
central headings, with
longitudinal poling boards built
on timber bars carried on each
frame of timbering. As the lining
advanced, so was the timbering
propped against each length to
maintain stability. The method
was capable of withstanding high
ground pressures but had high
demand for timber.
 The German method (core-leaving method) provided a series of box
headings within which the successive sections of the side walls of the
tunnel were built from the footing upwards, thus a forerunner of the
system of multiple drifts. The method depends on the central
dumpling being able to resists without excessive movement pressure
transmitted from the side walls, in providing support to the top 'key'
heading prior to completion of the arch and to ensuring stability while
the invert arch is extended in sections.

 The Belgian system (underpinning or flying arch method) started from

the construction of a top heading, propped approximately to the level
of the springing of the arch for a horseshoe tunnel. This heading was
then extended to each side to permit construction of the upper part of
the arch, which was extended by under- pinning, working from side
headings. The system was only practicable where rock loads were not
heavy.

 The first sizeable tunnel in soft ground was the Tronquoy tunnel on
the St Quentin canal in France in 1803, where the method of
construction, based on the use of successive headings to construct
sections of the arch starting from the footing, was a forerunner to the
German system described above.
The Rove Tunnel near Marseille measured 22 x 15,40 m,
and was excavated with multiple drifts.
Classical multiple face excavation
 -
Mechanical Drilling and Cutting Crushing Strength of rock
Roadheaders
Cut and Cover Method
 The principal problem to be solved in connection with
this construction method is to how to maintain surface
traffic, with the least disturbance during the construction
period. One method is to restrict traffic to a reduced
street width, another to direct traffic to a bypassing
street.

 Another way of supporting the sidewalls of open

trenches is to substitute sheet-pile walls by concrete
curtain walls cast under bentonite slurry (ICOS method),
and using steel struts. This is especially a requisite in
narrower streets trimmed with old sensitive buildings
with their foundation plane well above the bottom level
of the pit. This type of trench wall becomes a
requirement for maintenance of surface traffic due to
the anticipation of vibration effects potentially harmful to
the stability of buildings with foundations lying on
cohesionless soils.
 METHODS OF TUNNELLING
THROUGH SUB-AQUEOUS STRATA
 Shield tunnelling: A shield is a movable frame and it
is used to support the face of the tunnel. The
excavation & lining of tunnel can be carried out
under protection of shield
 Plenum process or compressed air tunnelling: In this
process, the use is made of compressed air to prevent
the collapse of sides and the top of the tunnel.
Theoretically 0.003 N/mm² air pressure is equivalent
to 305 mm of head of water. But practically 0.0035
N/mm² pressure will be required.
 DRAINAGE OF TUNNELS
 Sumps & pumps: The sumps connected by a pipe line
are provided at a distance of about 300 m & water is
pumped from one sump to another until it is thrown
out of tunnel opening
 Grouting: The above method cannot be used, if water
is percolating from the top of the tunnel. In such
cases, the grouting is adopted to make the seams
water-tight.
 Pilot tunnel: In cases where pilot tunnel at a lower
level than the main tunnel is constructed parallel to it
for drainage of water
 LIGHTING OF TUNNELS
 The situations which demand adequate light can be
obstructions in tunnel, drilling & mucking zones,
bottoms of shaft, storage points, pumping stations,
underground repair shops
 The spacing of lights will depend on various factors
such as tunnel dimensions, size of light source, nature
of rock surface
 The common types of lights used in tunnelling work
are acetylene gas lighting, electric lighting & lanterns
USE OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING
 SHAFTS & MUCKING
 Shafts: The shafts are used for ventilation after
the construction of tunnel. They are also useful
to accommodate the pipes of fans during
construction work

 Mucking: In case of tunnelling through rocks,

the blasted rock or earth has to be removed
from the tunnel. This process is known as
mucking
A SHAFT IN TUNNEL
 VENTILATION OF TUNNELS
 Blow-in method: In this method fresh air is
forced by a fan through a pipe & is supplied
near face. This method has the advantage that
a positive supply of fresh air is guaranteed
where it is required.

 Exhaust method: In this method the foul air is

pulled out through a pipe & is exhausted by a
fan. This sets up a current of fresh air to enter
the tunnel. This method has the advantage that
the foul air is kept out from working place.
INSIDE OF A TUNNEL
A TRANSIT RAILWAY TUNNEL
 LINING OF TUNNELS
 The lining will be required in practically all
the tunnels to give a finishing touch to the
tunnel cross-section. Most common materials
used as lining are stones, bricks, cement
concrete, rubber & pre-cast pipes.
 In rocky ground, the lining can be carried out
in any one of following ways:
 Invert first and then sides & top
 Side walls first and then arch section and
then invert
 Full section in one operation
TYPES OF LINING MATERIALS
 SHAPE & SIZE OF TUNNELS
 The size of the tunnel is determined by its utility. For
irrigation purpose, the tunnel is generally designed to
run full & if lining is of concrete, the velocity is taken
as 366 cm/sec. In case of road tunnels, it will depend
no. of traffic lanes & in case of railway tunnels, it will
depend on the no. of lines & type of gauge.

 The shape of tunnel is determined by the material of

which the cross-section is built & material through
which the tunnel is bored.
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39
 SHAPES OF TUNNELS
(A) CIRCULAR :
 This type of section offers greater resistance to
external pressure .
 If ground is highly unstable , such as soft clay
or sand , it is necessary to use circular section .
 For carrying water and sewerage circulation
shape tunnels are used .ex. Aqueduct
 Circular tunnel are not prefer as traffic tunnel.

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CIRCULAR TUNNNELS

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CIRCULAR TUNNEL

42
 ELIPTICAL SECTION
 They are used in grounds compare than
rock .
 These tunnels serve as water sewage
condition.They are difficult construct .
 They cannot be used as traffic tunnels
because of their narrow base.

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ELIPTICAL SECTION

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EXAMPLES

45
 EGG – SHAPED SECTION
 These section have narrow cross sections at
bottom. They are best suited for carrying
sewage.
 They maintain self-cleansing velocity of
flow of sewage both in dry and rainy
seasons .
 They are resist external as well as internal
pressure due to their circular walls .
 These tunnels are difficult to construct . 46
EGG – SHAPED SECTION

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EXAMPLES

48
 HORSE SHOIE SECTION

 This form consists of a semi-circular roof

together with arched sides and a curved invert.
 They are most popular as traffic tunnels for road
and railway routes .
 These tunnels are also difficult to construct.

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HORSE SHOIE SECTION

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Ahirkheda Tunnel for main canal of indira sagar irrigation
project,
Madhya Pradesh, India.

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CROSS SECTION OF A TUNNEL
 MAINTENANCE OF RAILWAY
TUNNELS
 The slopes of portals at entry & exit should be
checked.
 It should be seen whether the masonry has crushed,
cracked or deteriorated.
 The track through the tunnel should be in line and
level.
 The dimensions of tunnel should conform to original
dimensions.
 The lining of tunnel should be examined & checked if
it is in a satisfactory condition.
THANK YOU