Squeezing Ground Condition

MINING DEPARTMENT
Squeezing Ground Condition
Weak Rocks Behavior

5/29/2010
Presented to: Prof. Hasan Fahmy
Prepared By: Mourad Hosni
Mourad.Hosni@hotmail.com
Contents
List of Figures……………………………………………………………………………………….3
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………4
Squeezing Ground Condition……………………………………………………………….5
Squeezing types…………………………………………………………………………………….5
Rock behavior under squeezing condition……………………………………………5
Criterion for squeezing ground condition……………………………………………6
Calculations of support pressures under squeezing condition…………….7
Displacement of tunnel walls……………………………………………………………….9
Compaction zone within broken zone………………………………………..………10
Support Design…………………………………………………………………………………….11
Precautions in tunneling……………………………………………………………………..13
Appendix I
 Heading and Bench Method………………………………………………………14

 Forepole Umbrella……………………………………………………………………..15
References……………………………………………………………………………………………16
2
List of Figures:
Stress distribution in squeezing condition………………………………………………………………7
Compaction Zone ……………………………………………………………………………………………………9
Support system in severe squeezing ground condition…………………………………………..11
Heading and Bench Method…………………………………………………………………………………..13
Forepole Umbrella.…………………………………………………………………………………………………14
3
Introduction
The squeezing or elasto-plastic pressure is mobilized due to failure of a weak rock

mass around a tunnel under influence of high overburden pressure or tectonic
stresses.
The over stressed zone of rock mass fails where tangential stress (σ) exceeds the
mobilized UCS1 of rock mass. The failure process will then travel gradually from
the tunnel boundary to deeper regions inside the unsupported rock mass.
The zone of the failed rock mass is called the “broken zone.” This failed rock mass
dilates on account of the new fractures. A support system after installation
restrains the tunnel closure and gets loaded by the support pressure.
The tunnel closure may be both

 instantaneous
 Time dependent
It is the time dependent displacement which dominates in fragile rock masses

under high overburden, particularly when a broken zone is formed around an
opening. Therefore the support system attempts to restrain these time-dependent
tunnel closures, and in turn attracts higher loads
Support pressure for squeezing rocks is

 Higher for greater overburden
 Directly proportional to the tunnel width.
The experience is that a weak stratum in the beginning gave the impression of
non-squeezing ground but the same weak stratum under high overburden showed
significant squeezing later on, upsetting the engineers. At another location in little
stronger rock mass, squeezing did not occur at even 1400 m overburden, happily
surprising every one.
Thus real problems are:

1- How to anticipate squeezing condition and assess the degree of squeezing,
2- How to estimate the short-term and long-term support pressures as well as
allowable tunnel closures
3- What should be the strategy of supporting severe squeezing grounds.
1
Unconfined compressive strength, it is the load per unit area at which rock will fail in compression.
4
Squeezing ground condition:

“Squeezing of rock is the time dependent large deformation, which occurs around a
tunnel and other underground openings, and is essentially associated with creep
caused by (stress) exceeding shear strength (limiting shear stress). Deformation may
terminate during construction or continue over a long time period.”
Squeezing ground condition is divided into four classes:

 Minor [Ua/a = 1-2.5%]
 Severe [Ua/a = 2.5-5%]
 Very severe [Ua/a = 5-10%]
 Extreme [Ua/a = 10%]
Where:
Ua= radial tunnel closure
a = tunnel radius
Ua/a = normalized tunnel closure in percentage
Rock behavior under squeezing condition:

Rock mass squeezes plastically into the tunnel both from the roof and the walls
and the phenomenon is time dependent; rate of squeezing depends upon the
degree of over-stress; may occur at shallow depths in weak rock masses like shales,
clay, etc.; hard rock masses under high cover may experience
slabbing/popping/rock burst
5
Criterion for squeezing ground condition
σ θmax > qcmass+ Po A/2 = q/ cmass
where
σ θmax = tangential stress at the periphery of a tunnel,
= 2γH in nearly circular tunnels,
q cmass = compressive strength of rock mass, = 7 γ Q1/3MPa,
= 5.5 γ N1/3/B0.1MPa,
γ = unit weight of rock mass in gm/cc,
B = width of tunnel in meters,
Q = post-construction rock mass quality,
N = rock mass number (= Q assuming SRF = 1.0),
Po = in situ stress along the tunnel axis,
= γH
A2 =
Φp = peak angle of internal friction of jointed rock mass,
q/ cmass = biaxial compressive strength of rock mass and
H = height of overburden above the crown of tunnel.
2
average constants for various orientation of principal stress (value of A varies from 0.6 to 6.0),
6
Calculations of support pressures under squeezing condition:
Daemen (1975) developed a theory to calculate support pressures in the broken

zone3
Horizontal support pressure (Ph):
P = the in situ stress along the tunnel axis;

P = the vertical and horizontal in situ stress across the tunnel axis.
cr = the residual cohesion
φr = angle of internal friction within the broken zone.
a = the radius of circular tunnel
b = the radius of concentric broken zone
It may be noted that the parameter “A” reduces the support pressure drastically,
where “A” is significant such as in jointed hard rock with rough joints.
Vertical Support Pressure (Pv):
Where ϒ is unit weight of rock mass and parameter Mϒ
Note: These calculations show that the support pressure decreases rapidly with
increasing size of the broken zone. Thus development of broken zone should be
permitted up to three times the radius of the opening for reducing support
pressures. The vertical and horizontal support pressures may be considered of the
same order.
Obviously the support pressures given by these equations are the short term
pressures.
The long-term support pressures will be much higher, two or three times the
short-term support pressures.
3
The zone of the failed rock mass
7
8
Displacement of Tunnel walls
It is common knowledge that the rock failure is associated with volumetric

expansion due to creation and progressive widening of new fractures.
Consequently, all the points within the broken zone in a circular tunnel shift
almost radially towards the opening because the expanding rock mass is
kinematically free to move only in the radial direction.
The volume of failed rock mass increases at a constant rate (called coefficient of
volumetric expansion K).
ua = displacement at the opening periphery
k = volumetric expansion coefficient
a = the radius of circular tunnel
b = the radius of concentric broken zone
Note: higher degree of squeezing is associated with rock masses of higher “K”
values.
9
Compaction zone within broken zone:

The values of K are negative near the tunnel and increased with radius vector. That
denotes existence of compaction zone within the broken zone.
The radius of the compaction zone (r) is estimated to be approximately equal to
rc= 0.37b
Thus broken zone will not develop where b = a/0.37 or 2.7a.
Explanation:
The formation of the compaction zone may be explained as follows:
A fragile rock mass around the tunnel opening fails and expands under the
influence of the induced stresses. The expanded rock mass then gets compacted
due to the passive pressure exerted by the support system in order to satisfy the
ultimate boundary condition that is zero rate of support deformation with time.
The development of the support pressure with time would reduce the deviator
stresses (σ) within the compaction zone which in turn will undergo creep
relaxation manifested by the negative K values.
Compaction Zone
10
Support Design
Fortunately, the steel fiber reinforced shotcrete with embedded ribs has proved to
be successful in supporting tunnels in the mild to severe squeezing ground
conditions.
Strategies adopted in squeezing condition
 Circular or horseshoe shaped tunnel should be planned in the squeezing

ground condition. The tunnel width should preferably be less than 6 m in
severe or very severe squeezing grounds. The excavated diameter may be 10
percent more than the design diameter.
 The excavation should be by heading and benching4 method in minor

squeezing ground and by multiple drift method in severe or very severe
squeezing grounds. Drill 10 m advance probe hole ahead of the tunnel face
to know the rock mass quality and drain out ground water if any.
 The horizontal drill holes of 3 m length are drilled ahead of the tunnel face
and the forepoles of mild steel rods are inserted and welded to the nearest
steel ribs. Then smooth blasting is adopted with short length of blast holes
(1 m) to cope up with the low stand-up time5.
 A steel fiber reinforced shotcrete (SFRS) layer of 2.5 cm thickness is sprayed

immediately to prevent rock loosening. Full-column grouted bolts are
installed all around the tunnel including the bottom of tunnel.
 Steel ribs with struts at the bottom are erected and designed to support the
forepole umbrella6 and rock support pressure. The struts should be strong
enough to resist high wall support pressures in the squeezing grounds.
 The additional layers of SFRS are sprayed after some delay to embed the
steel ribs. It will provide lateral stability of ribs and also create a structurally
robust lining.
 The SFRS should also be sprayed on the floor to cover steel struts and
counter heaving tendency of the squeezing ground by withstanding high
4
Explained in Appendix I
5
Is how long the ground will safely stand by itself at the point of excavation
6
Explained in Appendix I
11
bottom support pressures.
 The convergence of the tunnel roof and walls should be monitored and
plotted with time. In case rate of convergence/closure is not dropping with
time, additional SFRS layers need to be sprayed. It is a good tunnelling
practice if multiple borehole extensometers are installed to know what is
happening within the broken zone particularly in severe or very severe
squeezing ground conditions.
Support system in severe squeezing ground condition
12
Precautions in Tunnelling
 It may be mentioned that TBM is obviously a failure in squeezing grounds,
as it is struck inside the ground and may have to be abandoned.
 In very poor ground, stand-up time is only a few hours. It is difficult to

install support system within the stand-up time. So length of blast holes
may have to be decreased to 1 m to increase the stand-up time for
unsupported span of 1 m. In very poor ground, it is difficult to keep drill
holes open for rock bolting. SFRS without rock bolt may work well in such
situation. Forepoling is difficult here.
 For a very severe squeezing condition, rock anchors (dowels) may be added
on the tunnel face where the face is also squeezing, particularly in the big
tunnels. This is in addition to the forepole umbrella. A frequent mistake is
made in using the large forepoles for protecting the tunnel face. The steel
ribs which support the forepoles are loaded adversely, specially in big
tunnels. Full face tunnelling method may be a failure due to slow progress
of tunnelling. It is good practice to install forepoles first and then make drill
holes for blasting.
 It may be realized that there is no time to use lengthy software packages

and for academic advice at the tunnel face. Spot decisions have to be made
on the basis of past experiences. It is, therefore, justified that a tunnel
engineer who understands the tunnel mechanics and has experience should
be made sole in charge of supporting the ground and related works.
13
Heading and Bench Method

In this technique, workers dig a smaller tunnel known as a heading. Once the top
heading has advanced some distance into the rock, workers begin excavating
immediately below the floor of the top heading; this is a bench. One advantage of
the top-heading-and-bench method is that engineers can use the heading tunnel
to gauge the stability of the rock before moving forward with the project.
Notice that the diagram shows tunneling taking place from both sides. Tunnels
through mountains or underwater are usually worked from the two opposite ends,
or faces, of the passage. In long tunnels, vertical shafts may be dug at intervals to
excavate from more than two points.
14
Forepole Umbrella
15
References:
 Bhawani Singh, Tunneling in Weak Rocks, Volume 5 (Geo-Engineering
Book Series), Ch. 8, 13, 19, and Appendix I.
 An article for: Evert Hoek, Numerical Modeling for Shallow Tunnels in
Weak Rock
 Britannica Encyclopedia [www.britannica.com]
 Wikipedia [www.wikipedia.com]
 http://science.howstuffworks.com/tunnel3.htm
16

Squeezing Ground Condition

Încărcat de

Informații document

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Squeezing Ground Condition

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

MINING DEPARTMENT

Squeezing Ground Condition

Weak Rocks Behavior

Presented to: Prof. Hasan Fahmy

Prepared By: Mourad Hosni

Squeezing Ground Condition……………………………………………………………….5

Rock behavior under squeezing condition……………………………………………5

Criterion for squeezing ground condition……………………………………………6

Calculations of support pressures under squeezing condition…………….7

Displacement of tunnel walls……………………………………………………………….9

Compaction zone within broken zone………………………………………..………10

 Heading and Bench Method………………………………………………………14

Compaction Zone ……………………………………………………………………………………………………9

Support system in severe squeezing ground condition…………………………………………..11

Heading and Bench Method…………………………………………………………………………………..13

The squeezing or elasto-plastic pressure is mobilized due to failure of a weak rock

The tunnel closure may be both

It is the time dependent displacement which dominates in fragile rock masses

Support pressure for squeezing rocks is

Thus real problems are:

Squeezing ground condition:

Squeezing ground condition is divided into four classes:

Rock behavior under squeezing condition:

Criterion for squeezing ground condition

σ θmax > qcmass+ Po A/2 = q/ cmass

Φp = peak angle of internal friction of jointed rock mass,

q/ cmass = biaxial compressive strength of rock mass and

H = height of overburden above the crown of tunnel.

Calculations of support pressures under squeezing condition:

Daemen (1975) developed a theory to calculate support pressures in the broken

Horizontal support pressure (Ph):

P = the in situ stress along the tunnel axis;

Vertical Support Pressure (Pv):

Where ϒ is unit weight of rock mass and parameter Mϒ

Displacement of Tunnel walls

It is common knowledge that the rock failure is associated with volumetric

ua = displacement at the opening periphery

k = volumetric expansion coefficient

a = the radius of circular tunnel

b = the radius of concentric broken zone

Compaction zone within broken zone:

Thus broken zone will not develop where b = a/0.37 or 2.7a.

Strategies adopted in squeezing condition

 Circular or horseshoe shaped tunnel should be planned in the squeezing

 The excavation should be by heading and benching4 method in minor

 A steel fiber reinforced shotcrete (SFRS) layer of 2.5 cm thickness is sprayed

bottom support pressures.

Support system in severe squeezing ground condition

 In very poor ground, stand-up time is only a few hours. It is difficult to

 It may be realized that there is no time to use lengthy software packages

Heading and Bench Method

S-ar putea să vă placă și