Evaluation of Effective Factors on Tunnel Instability Through Statistical Approach

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor; Faculty of Mining Eng., Petroleum and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology

2 Msc of tunnel and underground excavation, Shahrood university of technology

3 Assistant professor of Shahrood university of technology, department of mining, geophysics, and petroleum engineering

Abstract

In this paper, the role of effective factors on the instability of tunnels and underground excavations was explored through statistical analysis. To reach this goal, the effective factors (including 25 different factors) on the tunnel instability were recognized based on the deep literature survey and expert judgment. Then, a database of previous tunnel instabilities was established based on the type of tunnels and the main factor of instabilities. The effective factors were classified into six main groups and utilized for statistical analysis based on the relative frequency of tunnel instability. The results of this paper show that the geomechanical factors, design-investigation issues, and geological-geographic conditions of the site are the main three reasons for tunnel instability, where these main factors control more than 70% of civil-utility tunnels through all case studies. In addition, the design-investigation issues and geological-geographic conditions show the lowest and highest dependency on the tunnel utility, respectively. The “weak zones”, “inadequate redesign during construction”, and “the groundwater level and conditions” are the main three effective factors in tunnel instability, where the relative frequency of instability due to these factors reaches up to 40% for most of the case studies. Based on the main effective factors of instability, the freeway and highway tunnels show the highest consistency with all other utilities for tunnels in the statistical population. Therefore, freeway and highway tunnels can be considered as the most representative of overall utilities. The outcome of this paper can be applied to risk assessment of tunnel instabilities and technical management. 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

[1] M. Fraldi, F. Guarracino, Limit analysis of collapse mechanisms in cavities and tunnels according to the Hoek–Brown failure criterion, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 46(4) (2009) 665-673.
[2] X. Yang, F. Huang, Collapse mechanism of shallow tunnel based on nonlinear Hoek–Brown failure criterion, Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 26(6) (2011) 686-691.
[3] Y. Xiang, Z. Zeng, Y. Xiang, E. Abi, Y. Zheng, H. Yuan, Tunnel failure mechanism during loading and unloading processes through physical model testing and DEM simulation, Scientific Reports, 11(1) (2021) 1-20.
[4] F. Kitchah, S. Benmebarek, M. Djabri, Numerical assessment of tunnel collapse: a case study of a tunnel at the East–West Algerian highway, Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 80(8) (2021) 6161-6176.
[5] C. Martin, P. Kaiser, R. Christiansson, Stress, instability and design of underground excavations, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 40(7-8) (2003) 1027-1047.
[6] Z. Liang, R. Xue, N. Xu, W. Li, Characterizing rockbursts and analysis on frequency-spectrum evolutionary law of rockburst precursor based on microseismic monitoring, Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 105 (2020) 103564.
[7] N. Moussaei, M. Sharifzadeh, K. Sahriar, M.H. Khosravi, A new classification of failure mechanisms at tunnels in stratified rock masses through physical and numerical modeling, Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 91 (2019) 103017.
[8] Z. Li, L. Wang, B. Feng, J. Xiao, Q. Zhang, L. Li, J. Liang, Comprehensive collapse investigation and treatment: An engineering case from qingdao expressway tunnel, Journal of cleaner production, 270 (2020) 121879.
[9] Q. Xue, X. Yang, F. Wu, A three-stage hybrid model for the regional assessment, spatial pattern analysis and source apportionment of the land resources comprehensive supporting capacity in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, Science of the Total Environment, 711 (2020) 134428.
[10] H. Stille, A. Palmström, Classification as a tool in rock engineering, Tunnelling and underground space technology, 18(4) (2003) 331-345.
[11] H. Zhu, M. Chen, Y. Zhao, F. Niu, Stability assessment for underground excavations and key construction techniques, Springer, 2017.
[12] A. Zsaki, Optimized mesh generation for two-dimensional finite element analysis of underground excavations in rocks masses traversed by joints, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 47(4) (2010) 553-558.
[13] T. Wiles, Reliability of numerical modelling predictions, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 43(3) (2006) 454-472.
[14] H. Stille, A. Palmström, Ground behaviour and rock mass composition in underground excavations, Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 23(1) (2008) 46-64.
[15] K.-K. Phoon, Reliability-based design in geotechnical engineering: computations and applications, CRC Press, 2008.
[16] F. Nadim, Tools and Strategies for Dealing with Uncertainty in Geotechnics, in: D.V. Griffiths, G.A. Fenton (Eds.) Probabilistic Methods in Geotechnical Engineering, Springer Vienna, Vienna, 2007, pp. 71-95.
[17] N. Doorn, S.O. Hansson, Should Probabilistic Design Replace Safety Factors?, Philosophy & Technology, 24(2) (2011) 151-168.
[18] M. Sharifzadeh, M. Javadi, Groundwater and underground excavations: From theory to practice, Rock Mechanics and Engineering,  (2017).
[19] A.C. e Matos, L.R. e Sousa, J. Kleberger, P.L. Pinto, Geotechnical Risk in Rock Tunnels: Selected Papers from a Course on Geotechnical Risk in Rock Tunnels, Aveiro, Portugal, 16-17 April 2004, CRC Press, 2006.
[20] J.-E. Shin, I.K. Lee, Y. Lee, H.-S. Shin, Lessons from serial tunnel collapses during construction of the Seoul subway Line 5, Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 21 (2006) 296-297.
[21] T. Szwedzicki, Geotechnical precursors to large-scale ground collapse in mines, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 38(7) (2001) 957-965.
[22] W. Leichnitz, Analysis of collapses on tunnel construction sites on the new lines of the German Federal Railway, Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 5(3) (1990) 199-203.
[23] C.E.a.D. Department, Catalogue of notable tunnel failure case histories Hong Kong, CEDD.
,  (2015).
[24] H.S.a. Environment, The risk to third parties from bored tunnelling in soft ground, HSE Books,  (2006) 78.
[25] L.N. Lamas, Contributions to understanding the hydromechanical behaviour of pressure tunnels, PhD Thesis, Imperial College, London,  (1993) 419.
[26] P. Spyridis, D. Proske, Revised comparison of tunnel collapse frequencies and tunnel failure probabilities, ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems, Part A: Civil Engineering, 7(2) (2021) 04021004.
[27] Q. Qian, P. Lin, Safety risk management of underground engineering in China: Progress, challenges and strategies, Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 8(4) (2016) 423-442.
[28] G.-H. Zhang, Y.-Y. Jiao, L.-B. Chen, H. Wang, S.-C. Li, Analytical model for assessing collapse risk during mountain tunnel construction, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 53(2) (2015) 326-342.
[29] G.-Z. Ou, Y.-Y. Jiao, G.-H. Zhang, J.-P. Zou, F. Tan, W.-S. Zhang, Collapse risk assessment of deep-buried tunnel during construction and its application, Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 115 (2021) 104019.
[30] R.L. Sousa, H.H. Einstein, Lessons from accidents during tunnel construction, Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 113 (2021) 103916.
[31] T. Seidenfuss, Collapses in tunnelling, Master Degree Foundation Engineering and Tunnelling. Stuttgart, Germani, 194 (2006).
[32] Z. Xu, N. Cai, X. Li, M. Xian, T. Dong, Risk assessment of loess tunnel collapse during construction based on an attribute recognition model, Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 80(8) (2021) 6205-6220.
[33] D. Kolymbas, Tunnelling and tunnel mechanics: A rational approach to tunnelling, Springer Science & Business Media, 2005.
[34] Z.T. Bieniawski, Engineering rock mass classifications: a complete manual for engineers and geologists in mining, civil, and petroleum engineering, John Wiley & Sons, 1989.
[35] E. Brown, Underground excavations in rock, CRC Press, 1980.
[36] F. Mohammadi, Javadi, M., Rafiee, R., , Application of Hierarchical Analysis Process in Evaluating and Ranking Parameters Affecting Tunnel Stability., Second International Conference on Metallurgy, Mechanics and Mining.,  (2021).
[37] I. Watanabe, S. Ueno, M. Koga, K. Muramoto, T. Abe, T. Goto, Safety and disaster prevention measures for underground space: an analysis of disaster cases, Tunnelling and underground space technology, 7(4) (1992) 317-324.
[38] S.W. Tun, S.K. Singal, Management of Hydropower Tunnels to Prevent Collapse and Remedial Measures, Hydro Nepal: Journal of Water, Energy and Environment, 19 (2016) 31-37.
[39] S. Ashok Kumar, Safety Management of Road Tunnel During Construction-A Case Study. , International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology, 67(5) (2019) 31-43.
[40] T.-j. Liu, S.-w. Chen, H.-y. Liu, Deformation characterisation and distress diagnosis of a metro shield tunnel by adjacent constructions, Advances in Civil Engineering, 2020 (2020).
[41] J. Wang, X. Zeng, J. Zhou, Practices on rockburst prevention and control in headrace tunnels of Jinping II hydropower station, Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 4(3) (2012) 258-268.
Amirkabir Journal of Civil Engineering
Volume 55, Issue 1
April 2023
Pages 185-200

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics