TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION

(CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING)

Submitted By: Department of Civil Engineering,

RABIU WASIU ADESOYE.
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Ibadan.
Faculty of Technology,
University of Ibadan.
Lecturer in Charge:
Engr. (Mrs.) J. O. Oladejo

August, 2011
 INTRODUCTION
DEFINITIONS
A Road Tunnel is defined as
enclosed roadways with
vehicle access that is
restricted to portals
regardless of type of the
structure or method of
construction1.
USES
Tunnels are used for highway
traffic, railroads, and subways;
to transport water, sewage, oil,
and gas; to divert rivers around
dam sites while the dam is
Plate 1: 50 km Channel Tunnel between UK and France
being built; and for military and under Construction.
civil-defense purposes. Source: Pierre Jean Pompee, Channel Tunnel Construction
 MAJOR TUNNELS OF THE WORLD
NAME OF TUNNEL LOCATION LENGTH OF USE OF TUNNEL
TUNNEL
Laerdal Tunnel Norway 24.5 km Vehicular

Saint Gotthard Switzerland 16.3 km Vehicular

Arlberg Austria 14.0 km Vehicular

Seikan Japan 54.0 km Railroad

Channel Tunnel UK - France 50 km Railroad

Qinling (1 & 2) China 19 km Railroad

DESIGN CRITERIA
SHAPES
There are three shapes of highway tunnels:
1. Circular Tunnels
2. Rectangular Tunnels
3. Horseshoe/ Curvilinear Tunnels.
The shape of the tunnel depends on the mode of construction and
the ground conditions.
Circular Tunnels, for instance are usually constructed using either
Tunnel Boring Machine Method (TBM) or by Drill and Blast Method.
Rectangular Tunnels are usually constructed by the Cut and Cover
method, by the immersed method, or by the jacked box tunneling.
Horseshoe Configuration Tunnels are usually constructed by the
drill and blast in method, or the Sequential Excavation Method
(SEM), also known as the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM)
ALIGNMENTS
The Road Tunnel should be designed in accordance with the
respective manual for Geometric Design, e.g. the AASHTO
Geometric Code, Nigerian Highway Manual etc.
The width and size of the road should be designed to cater for all
kinds of vehicles in the Geometric Code, according to the class of
highway it represents (i.e. Federal or State Highway).
The Alignment of the Tunnel must be consistent with the
alignment of the roadway leading to it.
The Alignment must consider factors like the sight distances,
minimum turning radius and design speeds in its design.
Except for maintenance reasons, two way roads should be
discouraged in a single tube of tunnel, for safety reasons.
Pedestrian and Cyclist use of tunnels should be discouraged
except a special passage is designed for them.
 TUNNELLING DESIGN
METHODOLOGIES
The processes involved in the design of a tunnel are defined as
follows:
i. Define the functional requirements, including the design life and
durability requirements.
ii.Carry out the necessary geologic, geotechnical and geohydrological
investigations and analyses.
iii.Conduct environmental, cultural and institutional studies to access
how they impact the design and construction of the tunnel.
iv.Perform tunnel type studies to determine the most appropriate
method of tunnel construction.
 TUNNELLING DESIGN
METHODOLOGIES
v. Establish the design criteria and perform the design of the various
tunnel elements. The initial and final support systems and the
lining should be designed, considering the ground conditions and
the proposed method of construction.
vi. Establish tunnel Alignment, Profile and Cross Section.
vii. Determine potential modes of failure.
viii. Prepare project documents including construction plans,
specifications, schedules, estimates, and Geotechnical Baseline
Reports (G.B.R)
Geological Profile and Description of Works for Channel Tunnel between UK
and France. Tunnel slope is between 0.2% and 1.1%, often found at 0.6% at
U.K Side, and 1.1% at the France side.
 GROUNDWATER CONTROL
- Building a dry tunnel is a primary concern for tunnel construction,
as a dry tunnel provides a safer, friendlier environment, while
significantly reducing operation and maintenance costs.
- Based on the advanced waterproofing technologies today, the
International Tunneling Association (ITA) recommends the following
infiltration criteria:

ALLOWABLE INFILTRATION
Tunnels ≤ 0.002gal/sq. ft/day
Underground Public Space ≤ 0.001gal/sq. ft/day

In addition, no dripping or visible leakage is allowed in the structure.

 GROUNDWATER CONTROL
There are two basic types of waterproofing systems: drained (open)
and undrained (closed).

Open waterproofing system allows groundwater inflow into the

tunnel drainage system. The tunnel vault area is equipped with a
waterproofing system that forms an umbrella-like protection that
drains seeping water into a prepared drainage system located at the
bottom of the tunnel sidewalls and in the tunnel invert. It is usually
used in rock tunnels where infiltration rates are usually low.
Closed Waterproofing system extend around the entire tunnel
perimeter, and thus exclude water from entering into the tunnel
drainage. The linings are thus designed to cater for hydrostatic
pressure. It is used in permeable soils where groundwater discharge
into the tunnel would be significant, and its discharge would lower the
water table and probably cause settlements.
 INVESTIGATIONS
Several investigations are required at the preliminary, design
and construction phases of a tunnel project. The processes are
highlighted below:
• Collection and Review of Available Information for a general
knowledge of the area (Existing Topographical, hydrological,
Geological, Geotechnical, Seismic, Environmental, Zoning
etc)
• Topographic and Aerial Photographs
• Reconnaissance and Preliminary Surveys
• Water Well Logs
• Flood Insurance Maps
• Hydrographic Surveys
• Utility Surveys (especially in cities)
• Identification of Underground Structures and Obstacles
•Structure Preconstruction Survey
•Geologic Mapping
•Subsurface Investigations
•Test Borings and Sampling
•Sampling - Overburden Soils
•Sampling – Rock Core
•Soil and Rock Identification and Classification
•In - situ Tests
•Geophysical Tests
•Seismic Wave Propagation
•Laboratory Tests
•Groundwater Investigation
•Pumping Tests
 TUNNELLING
CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGIES
 TUNNELLING CONSTRUCTION
METHODOLOGIES
(a) Cut and Cover System.
(b) Pipe Jacking System (Micro Tunneling).
(c) Shield Tunneling (TBM).
(d) New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM).
(e) Immersed-Tube Tunneling System.
 CUT AND COVER METHOD

Sequence of Construction (Stages 1 to 3)

 CUT AND COVER METHOD

Sequence of Construction (Stages 4 to 6)

 CUT AND COVER METHOD
Advantages:
• Economy for shallow depths (4 - 10 m) and for shorter
applications.
• Un-sophisticated labor and equipment required.
• Adaptability to different conditions.
• Simple structural & geotechnical analyses required.
• Safe environment (ventilation and fire hazard).
Disadvantages:
• Possible disturbances to existing facilities.
• Practical limitations of depth.
• Unsuitability under buildings or water.
 SOIL GROUTING

• Grouting is the process of filling gaps using mortar.

• In Tunnel Construction, gaps in the soil needs to be
filled using mortar to prevent the collapse or
sinking of the ground and the tunnel.
• The process of soil grouting is shown below:
Soil Grouting Techniques

Jet Grouting: Soil Replacement Process

Soil Grouting Techniques

Slurry Wall Concept

(b) Pipe Jacking System (Micro Tunneling)

Schematic Representation
 Tunnel Construction

Preparation of
Driving Shaft

Jacking Pipes
Using Hydraulic Jacks
23
 Tunnel Construction
Guidance and Positioning Using
Laser-Guided Steering System

Laser Guide &

Control Monitor

Screen Capture 24
 Tunnel Construction

MTBM Break Through

Extraction of MTBM
25
MTBM - Shields of Different Sizes

26
 MTBM - Different Shapes of Cutting Heads

Dirt cutter head Sand shelves

(clay and silty sand)

Carbide cutter head

(soft to medium hard rock)
27
 Pipe Jacking System (Micro Tunneling)
Advantages:
• Suitability for almost all types of soil.
• Large depths with unlimited lengths of drive.
• High levels of accuracy and safety.
• Wide choice of pipe and joint materials.
• High construction rates.
• Reduced manpower requirements.
• Reduced environmental disturbance.
Disadvantages:
• Sophisticated equipment and highly skilled labor.
• Inability to make rapid changes in line or level.
• Very expensive corrective actions, if required. 28
 (c) Shield Tunneling (TBM)

Cutter Head Tunnel Tube 29

Support Fluid Circulation System

31
Construction Sequence

32
 Shield Tunneling (TBM)
Advantages:
• Suitability for almost all types of soil.
• Suitability for wide tunnels (highway, railway, etc.).
• Large depths ( > 10 m), with unlimited lengths of
drive.
• Reducing environmental disturbance and utilities
diversions.

Disadvantages:
• Sophisticated equipment and highly skilled labor.
• Inability to make rapid changes in line or level.
• Very expensive corrective actions, if required.
• Difficult structural and geotechnical analyses reqd.
33
(d) NATM

Construction
Sequence

34
 New Austrian Tunneling Method
Advantages:
• Best alternative for non-circular roadway tunnels.
• Suitability for almost all stable to strong ground
types, including rock.
• Suitability for a variety of soil conditions.
• Small thickness of tunnel lining, reducing the
amount of excavation.
• Economy and speed of construction.

Disadvantages:
• Highly skilled workers and expert engineers.
• Safety measures for shotcrete application.
• Ground water freezing and/or soil strengthening
(in case of water-bearing cohesion-less soil). 35
(e) Immersed-Tube Tunneling System

36
 (e) Immersed-Tube Tunneling System
Construction Sequence:
1. Dredging the trench in river or sea bottom.
2. Prefabrication of tunnel sections, and sealing ends
with bulkheads.
3. Floating the sections to the tunnel trench.
4. Lowering the sections to seabed.
5. Joining the sections together underwater.
6. Removing the temporary bulkheads.
7. Backfilling the trench.

37
 Immersed-Tube Tunneling System
Advantages:
• Economy (most economical alternative for any type
of underwater tunnel crossing).
• High construction rates (particularly for steel tube
tunnels).
• Wide variety of different conditions.

Disadvantages:
• Casting basin (for concrete box tunnels).
• Highly skilled and experienced workers.
• Safety measures for underwater construction.
38
 Other Necessary Features
• Lighting
• Aeration and Ventilation
 References
• American Association of State Highway & Transportation
Officials Technical Committee for Tunnels (T – 20).
• Taylor and Francis Group, Handbook of Highway Engineering,
2006.
• Design Highway Manual, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2006
• Jean Pierre Pompee, Channels Tunnel Construction.
Thank you