[Last revision June 06] [UE-T1-1] [UE-T1-2]

Tunnelling Methods
Class notes on Underground Excavations in Rock

Topic 1:

Introduction to tunnelling. Methods and equipment

written by

Dr. C. Carranza-Torres and

Prof. J. Labuz

These series of notes have been written for the course Rock Mechanics II,
CE/GeoE 4311, co-taught by Prof. J. Labuz and Dr. C. Carranza-Torres
in the Spring 2006 at the Department of Civil Engineering, University Sketch from Underground rock excavation. Know-how and equipment. Atlas Copco
of Minnesota, USA. Tunnelling and Mining AB, S-105 23 Stockholm, Sweden.

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Blasting patterns
Drilling and Blasting Method

The drill and blast cycle:

1. Drilling and surveying

2. Charging with explosives
3. Blasting and ventilation
4. Loading and hauling
5. Scaling and cleaning
6. Rock bolting

(Sketch is adapted from Tamrock Corporation, www.tamrock.sandvik.com) (From Hoek E., 2000, Rock Engineering, Chapter 16, www.rocscience.com)

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Explosives

Drilling rods and drilling bits

(www.mmc.co.jp/english/business/rocktool.html)

(www.austinpowder.com)

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Common equipment found in tunnelling sites Common equipment found in tunnelling sites

Drilling Jumbos Loaders and trucks

(www.atlascopco.com and www.tamrock.sandvik.com) (www.toro.sandvik.com and www.casece.com)

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Common equipment found in tunnelling sites

Common equipment found in tunnelling sites

Excavators
Bolting jumbos

(www.tamrock.sandvik.com)
(www.casece.com and www.hitachiconstruction.com)

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Common equipment found in tunnelling sites Common equipment found in tunnelling sites

Shotcrete Equipment
Scalers or breakers

A- Manual spraying
(www.rockbreaker.com) B- Robotic spraying

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Common equipment found in tunnelling sites Common equipment found in tunnelling sites

Robotic Sprayers
Lifters

(Model shown is Sika PM500 PC www.putzmeister.de) Normet equipment (www.normetusa.com)

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Other equipment found in tunnelling sites Other equipment found in tunnelling sites

Improvement of tunnel front Mortar injection and backlling equipment

(www.putzmeister.de)

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Other equipment found in tunnelling sites

Pusher leg rock drills

Images of tunnel excavation by traditional method

1. Video showing general description of the Gotthard Tunnel project,

Switzerland (www.alptransit.com).

2. Video showing impressions of excavation at the Gotthard Tunnel,

Switzerland (www.alptransit.com).

3. Video showing blasting at Gotthard Tunnel, Switzerland

(www.alptransit.com).

4. Photographs at various tunnelling sites.

(www.partshq.com)

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Roadheaders
Tunnel excavation by mechanized means

Classication based on the type of ground support

provided by the machine

1. No ground support Roadheader

2. Periphery Open face Tunnel Boring Machine

or TBM (used in hard ground)

3. Front EPBM (Earth Pressure BalanceMachine)

Slurry shield (used in soft ground below
the phreatic surface)

(A complete classication of mechanized methods of tunnel excavation can be found

in AFTES, 2000, Recommendations for choosing mechanized tunnelling techniques,
available at www.aftes.asso.fr)
(www.vab.sandvik.com)

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Advance by TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine)

Advance by TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine)

(www.alptransit.ch)

Sketch from Underground rock excavation. Know-how and equipment. Atlas Copco
Tunnelling and Mining AB, S-105 23 Stockholm, Sweden.

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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EPBM - Earth Pressure Balance (1)

EPBM - Earth Pressure Balance (2)

Sketches from booklet Hitachi Shield Machines, Hitachi Construction Machinery

Sketches from booklet Hitachi Shield Machines, Hitachi Construction Machinery
Co., Ltd., www.hitachi-c-m.com
Co., Ltd., www.hitachi-c-m.com

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Slurry shield (2)

Slurry shield (1)

Sketches from booklet Hitachi Shield Machines, Hitachi Construction Machinery

Co., Ltd., www.hitachi-c-m.com

Sketches from booklet Hitachi Shield Machines, Hitachi Construction Machinery

Co., Ltd., www.hitachi-c-m.com

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Segmental lining used with EPBM and Slurry Shields Microtunnelling

(adapted from AFTES, 2000, The design, sizing and construction of precast concrete
segments installed at the rear of a Tunnel Boring Machine, available at www.aftes.asso.fr)
(www.lovat.com)

University of Minnesota These notes are University of Minnesota These notes are
ce.umn.edu available for downloading at ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com
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Recommended references

Hoek E., 2000, Rock Engineering. Course Notes by Evert Hoek.

Available for downloading at Hoeks Corner, www.rocscience.com

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1997, Tunnels and shafts in rock.

Available for downloading at www.usace.army.mil

AFTES Recommendations available in English. A series of PDF doc-

uments on different topics related to tunnelling that can be downloaded
at www.aftes.asso.fr

For a series of short, clearly presented notes with recommendations

about different aspects of tunnelling design with traditional methods
(e.g., face drilling, blasting, rock reinforcement, etc.), see
http://sg01.atlascopco.com/SGSite/default app.asp

For information about Gotthard Tunnel (including videos, photographs,

etc.) see www.alptransit.ch

For information about on-going tunnel projects around the world see
www.tunnelintelligence.com

Visit the web sites indicated in the previous slides on particular topics
of interest

University of Minnesota These notes are

ce.umn.edu available for downloading at
Department of Civil Engineering www.cctrockengineering.com