Search

Abstract  The paper reports an assessment of the engineering geological characteristics of the rock mass to be encountered between Mecidiye and Gazino stations on the new extension of the Ankara metro and the determination of appropriate support and excavation methods. The rock mass quality was estimated using the rock mass rating (RMR), geological strength index (GSI) and rock mass quality (Q) systems and the tunnel divided into sections. The RMR, Q and NATM systems were used to determine the support and excavation methods in these areas. The deformations and stress concentrations around each tunnel section were investigated and the interaction of the support systems with the rock mass was analyzed using finite element software. It is concluded that rock mass classification systems should be used in tandem with numerical tools, although it is emphasized that the estimation of rock mass properties is not an exact science and both rock properties and numerical models should be refined based on observations and the results of instrumentation installed during the construction of a tunnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increasing population and resulting transportation needs, the number of subway and high-speed railway projects has also increased. The geometric constraints of such projects have caused many tunnels to be built in weak ground. Thus, weak ground tunnelling has attracted the attention of tunnel engineers and researchers. The main purposes of this study are to analyse the T4 tunnel excavated in weak ground and to compare the results obtained from the analytical solutions and 3D numerical analyses. This study specifically considers the T4 tunnel support system used in the Ankara İzmir High Speed Railway Project (Afyonkarahisar-Banaz Section). The T4 tunnel route encounters weak ground composed of layers of extremely weak mudstone, clayey sand, weakly cemented sandstone, and silty–clay matrix with pebbles. The tunnel overburden ranges from 10 to 35 m, which is shallow. After the excavation work of the T4 tunnel, severe deformation and critical stability problems in the shallow part (where the overburden is approximately 10 m) were encountered inside the tunnel, leading to a halt in construction. This was followed by revisions to the tunnel support system, leading to successful completion of the tunnel excavation. Numerical simulations of the low overburden section are performed using the commercially available FLAC3D program that uses the finite difference method. The characteristics of insufficient/ineffective support systems and adequate support systems for shallow tunnels excavated through weak ground are discussed in this study. Additionally, problems that pertain to the tunnel itself and its support system are discussed. The results of the 3D numerical analyses and analytical solutions are compared, and the advantages of 3D numerical analyses are discussed. The importance and necessity of tunnel face stability and roof stability for tunnel stability in weak ground is illustrated. Consequently, solutions based on analytical and numerical analyses are presented, and the analysis methodology and solutions proposed in the study can help guide weak ground tunnelling design and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increasing population and resulting transportation needs, the number of subway and high-speed railway projects has also increased. The geometric constraints of such projects have caused many tunnels to be built in weak ground. Thus, weak ground tunnelling has attracted the attention of tunnel engineers and researchers. The main purposes of this study are to analyse the T4 tunnel excavated in weak ground and to compare the results obtained from the analytical solutions and 3D numerical analyses. This study specifically considers the T4 tunnel support system used in the Ankara İzmir High Speed Railway Project (Afyonkarahisar-Banaz Section). The T4 tunnel route encounters weak ground composed of layers of extremely weak mudstone, clayey sand, weakly cemented sandstone, and silty–clay matrix with pebbles. The tunnel overburden ranges from 10 to 35 m, which is shallow. After the excavation work of the T4 tunnel, severe deformation and critical stability problems in the shallow part (where the overburden is approximately 10 m) were encountered inside the tunnel, leading to a halt in construction. This was followed by revisions to the tunnel support system, leading to successful completion of the tunnel excavation. Numerical simulations of the low overburden section are performed using the commercially available FLAC3D program that uses the finite difference method. The characteristics of insufficient/ineffective support systems and adequate support systems for shallow tunnels excavated through weak ground are discussed in this study. Additionally, problems that pertain to the tunnel itself and its support system are discussed. The results of the 3D numerical analyses and analytical solutions are compared, and the advantages of 3D numerical analyses are discussed. The importance and necessity of tunnel face stability and roof stability for tunnel stability in weak ground is illustrated. Consequently, solutions based on analytical and numerical analyses are presented, and the analysis methodology and solutions proposed in the study can help guide weak ground tunnelling design and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]