Voids Investigation and Remedial Work

Capital Committee May 12, 2011

Presentation Outline
1. Background Information 2. Voids Identification, Exploration and Filling 3. Bulking of Soils 4. Conclusions 5. Actions Taken for University Link

Background Information

Background Information
Tunnel Work
Earth pressure balance tunnel boring machine [1 TBM for both tunnels] Southbound tunnel drive: February 2006 to May 2007 Northbound tunnel drive: July 2007 to March 2008

Background Information
Northbound

N N

Beacon Hill Station

Southbound

Late March 2009 (1-year after completion of tunneling) Notified by property owner of hole in front yard Immediately assessed the issue - identified a void Backfilled the void (231 cy) with controlled density fill (CDF)

Background Information
Beacon Hill Station Excavation Limits 231 cy surface void

Data showing over-excavation

Tunnel boring machine belt scale weight data plot NB & SB

Background Information

Beacon Hill Station

Findings:
Excess spoil removed => conveyor weight scale data Nine target areas located in zone (~300-feet long) Identified potential voids volume of 3,296 cy based on weight
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Voids Identification, Exploration and Filling

Excess Belt Scale Weight Gradation Scale

Voids Identification, Exploration and Filling

PHASE 1 [Void Identification & Filling] April & May 2009 Performed investigation utilizing Subsurface explorations and probes along tunnel centerline Used targeted approach based on weight-scale data Microgravity measurements trial to delineate disturbed zones and voids Drilled 38 probe holes Filled voids with CDF
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Voids Identification, Exploration and Filling

Beacon Hill Station

Voids discovered in each of the 9 zones Voids coincided with over-excavation identified by weigh-scale data Phase 1 found and filled 2,544 of 3,296 cy (78% fill factor)
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Voids Identification, Exploration and Filling

PHASE 2 [Compaction Grouting] June and July 2009 Developed a program to compact loose zones
Pumped cement grout through pattern of holes Grout pressures 300 to 600 psi to compact loose zones

Drilled 61 holes Placed another 293 cy of grout

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Voids Identification, Exploration and Filling

Beacon Hill Station

Phase 1 & 2 => found and filled 2,837 of 3,296 cy Fill Factor = 87% Six of nine areas filled within 10% of total theoretical volume (blue ovals) Potential for approximately 430 cubic yards of subsurface ground loss distributed in three areas (purple ovals)
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Voids Identification, Exploration and Filling

Phase 3

Beacon Hill Station

Step 1 Step 2
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Step 3 Step 4

Step 5

Compaction Grout Throughout

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Voids Identification, Exploration and Filling

PHASE 3 [Verification Explorations] July 2010 December 2010 Delineate the extent/nature of disturbed zones Backfill any remaining loose zones Drilled 108 holes (steps 1 thru 4) Placed another 115 cy of grout

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Voids Identification, Exploration and Filling

Total fill placed (Phases 1, 2 & 3) = 2,952 cy of 3,269 cy Fill factor = 90% No need for Step 5: Compaction grouting throughout
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Bulking of Soils
NB NB Total # Vol holes Placed Estimate Loss 1,939 Ph 1 Fill Ph 2 Fill Ph 3 Fill Bulking Bulking Total Fill % Fill 94 1,790 92.3% 112 1,162 87.4% 2,952 90.3% 1,330 21 26 47 1,632 87 71 17 34 61 912 206 44 SB SB Total # Vol holes Placed Phase Total Cum Total Cum %

Vol Vol Fill Placed Placed Factor 3,296 2,544 293 115

2,544 2,837 2,952

78% 87% 90%

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Bulking of Soils
3D Interpreted View of Voids (westerly area)

NB

SB

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Bulking of Soils
3D Interpreted View of Disturbed Zones and Voids

NB

SB

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Bulking of Soils
NB NB Total # Vol holes Placed Estimate Loss 1,957 Ph 1 Fill Ph 2 Fill Ph 3 Fill Bulking Total Fill % Fill 94 1,339 38 60 108 206 SB SB Total # Vol holes Placed Phase Total Cum Total Cum %

Vol Vol Fill Placed Placed Factor 3,296 2,544 293 115 344 3,296

21 26 47

1,632 87 71 167 1,957 100.0%

17 34 61 112

912 206 44 177 1,339

2,544 2,837 2,952

78% 87% 90%

3,269 100%

100.0% 100.0%

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Conclusions
The voids were caused by over-excavation The over-excavation: failure to operate in closed mode with full excavation face support as required by the Contract The belt scales measured over-excavation (e.g. high excavated material weights)

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Actions Taken
Reviewed data and identified other potential voids Developed phased plan with integrated team (CM, Engineers-of-Record, Contractor, Tunnel Experts) Executed and completed our phased plan Accomplished program objectives (filled voids/compacted loose zones) within budget

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Actions Taken for University Link

TBM Control System:
Display 8 hours of face pressure sensor data Confirm TBM is consistently operating as required (e.g. above ambient pressure)

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Actions Taken for University Link

TBM Data Logger:
Obtain/plot data routinely Confirm operating parameters are being maintained

TBM Belt Weigh-Scale

Gather data after each ring advance Compare to theoretical weight calculation Take immediate remedial action, as necessary

TBM Conditioning Materials

Sufficient/proper materials available Used according to soil profile
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Actions Taken for University Link

Construction management team is being trained to read and interpret the measured data CM team will have a trained inspector in the tunnel heading at all times Real time data will be displayed on a computer in the CM office

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Actions Taken for University Link

IF any critical parameters (e.g. face pressure, belt scale weights, etc.) are not as required/expected THEN Immediately investigate and have contractor take corrective action

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