SAFETY IN TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION

CONTENTS

SL.NO. PARTICULARS PAGE NO.

1. INTRODUCTION 3

2. NECESSITY OF TUNNELS 4

3. CONSTRUCTION METHODS OF TUNNEL 5

4. HAZARDS IN TUNNELING 9

5. . GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN 13

TUNNELING
6. COMMON CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS 14

7. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 14

8. CONCLUSION 15

9. REFERENCES 16

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ABSTRACT

At present, almost all mountain tunnels in Japan are excavated and constructed utilizing
the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), which was advocated by Prof. Rabcewicz of
Austria in 1964. In Japan, this method has been applied to tunnel construction since around 1978,
after which there has been a subsequent decrease in the number of casualties during tunnel
construction. However, there is still a relatively high incidence of labour accidents during tunnel
construction when compared to incidence rates in the construction industry in general. During
tunnel construction, rock fall events at the cutting face are a particularly characteristic of the type
of accident that occurs. In this study, we analysed labour accidents that possess the
characteristics of a rock fall event at a work site. We also introduced accident prevention
measures against rock fall events

Set up detonators and blasts into the cutting face. This work has high risk to cause
rockfall and may hit workers who are close to the cutting face. Workers should wear helmet,
protector, safety boots, etc. Nets and mats supported by both the right and left arms of the drill
jumbo and guard fences at the bottom of the aerial work platform of the drill jumbo could be
used to protect workers from rock fall. This is called “protection system

Monitor the displacement, velocity or acceleration of the cutting face and a watcher must
oversee the alteration of the cutting face. Laser distance measurer and total station should be
mounted on the drill jumbo and the steel arch support that is already mounted on the excavated
surface. It would be necessary to measure the displacement, velocity and acceleration of many
points on the cutting face. When the measurement system detects rapid increase in displacement,
velocity or acceleration, then alert signal is issued automatically. It is necessary to have sufficient
illumination around the excavated surface for a watcher to oversee the process.

Drive rock bolts into the ground radially from the perimeter of the tunnel. This work
should be done using the drill jumbo. This work is high risk to cause rock fall and may hit
workers who are close to the cutting face. Workers should wear the helmet, protector, safety
boots, etc

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1. INTRODUCTION
Tunnel is an artificial underground passage, especially one built through a hill or under a
building, road, or river (shown in figure 1 for railway tunnel). Tunnels are not only structures
constructed of concrete, steel, masonry, and timber (to a very limited degree) or bored in rock,
but also use numerous functional systems to perform roles for the tunnels to function properly

To construct any tunnel through river or through a hill, or a underground tunnel, There are
certain operation or steps which are to be followed or to be performed, which are called various
tunneling operations. B. Overview There is different types of tunnels according to their sizes like
circular, rectangular, horseshoe, and oval/egg etc. The different shapes typically relate to the
method of construction and the ground conditions in which they were constructed. Some tunnels
may be constructed using combinations of these types due to different soil conditions along the
length of the tunnel.

There is certain operation or steps which are to be followed or to be performed, which are called
various tunneling operations. There are certain common operations which are performed
generally like.

1. Digging of shafts at the both end of tunnel

2. Horizontal operations at tunnel level (with the help of TBM machines or manually or by any
conventional method.)

3. Lining of tunnel walls

4. Final works and Finishing works

Except these stages or operations there are some other sub operations which are necessary to do
like to suction water and other waste out of tunnel, certain safety operations…etc

This tunneling operation may differ according to type of tunnel, method of tunneling, type of soil
conditions, availability of equipment and labours. Tunneling operations are very lengthy and
time consuming in past times, but nowadays with the availability of the all modern instruments it
is possible to do all the tunneling operations with speed and accuracy.

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Fig: 1.1: Railway tunnel

Fig: 1.2: Road tunnel

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2. NECESSITY OF TUNNELS

Economics of tunneling is a broad question and in general depends the relative cost
of open cutvs. tunneling. Generally when depth of cut is over 18 m, tunneling is
advisable. From view pointof economy and traffic safety, the tunneling operation is
desirable under the followingconditions.

 To allow rapid and unobstructed transport facilities in big the congested

cities.
 To avoid acquisition of valuable land.
 To avid long circuitous routes around a mountain or spur.
 To avoid sliding of open cut sides in softer soils.
 To connect two terminal stations separated by mountain.
 To divert water for generation of power.
 To carry public utility services like oil, gas, water etc. across the stream or a
mountain.
 To avoid the steep gradients in mountains and thereby maintain a high speed
 When the provision of the bridge over the river is costlier and in convenient.
 It is preferred on routes of strategic importance because a tunnel is hidden in
ground.
 To save the maintenance cost which is generally lesser for tunnel compared
to a bridgeand an open cut.

3. CONSTRUCTION METHODS OF TUNNEL

3.1 Cut and Cover:

This method involves excavating an open trench in which the tunnel is constructed
to the designfinish elevation and subsequently covered with various compacted
earthen materials and soils.Certain variations of this method include using piles
and lagging, tie back anchors or slurry wallsystems to construct the walls of a cut
and cover tunnel.

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Fig: 3.1: Cut and cover

3.2 Shield Driven:

This method involves pushing a shield into the soft ground ahead. The material
inside the shield is removed and a lining system is constructed before the shield is
advanced further.

Fig: 3.2: Sheild driven

3.3 Drill and Blast:

An alternative to using a TBM in rock situations would be to manually drill and
blast the rockand remove it using conventional conveyor techniques. This method
was commonly used forolder tunnels and is still used when it is determined cost
effective or in difficult groundconditions.

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Fig: 3.3: Drill and blast

3.4 Immersed Tube:

When a canal, channel, river, etc., needs to be crossed, this method is often used. A
trench is dugin the riverbed and prefabricated tunnel segments are made water tight
and sunken into positionin the trench where they are connected to the other
segments. Afterward, the tunnel segmentsmay be covered with earth to cover to fill
the remaining voids around the tunnel segments in thetrench and protect the tunnel
from the water-borne traffic, e.g., ships, barges, and boats.

Fig: 3.4: Immersed tube

3.5 Sequential Excavation Method (SEM):

Soil in certain tunnels may have sufficient strength such that excavation of the soil
face byequipment in small increments is possible without direct support. This
excavation method is called the sequential excavation method. Once excavated, the
soil face is then supported usingconcrete and the excavation is continued for the
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next segment. The cohesion of the rock or soilcan be increased by injecting grouts
into the ground prior to excavation of that segment.

3.6 Jacked Tunnels:

The method of jacking a large tunnel underneath certain obstructions (highways,
buildings, rail lines, etc.) that prohibit the use of typical cut-and-cover techniques
for shallow tunnels has been used successfully in recent years. This method is
considered when the obstruction cannot be moved or temporarily disturbed. First
jacking pits are constructed. Then tunnel sections are constructed in the jacking pit
and forced by large hydraulic jacks into the soft ground, which is systematically
removed in front of the encroaching tunnel section. Sometimes if the soil above the
proposed tunnel is poor then it is stabilized through various means such as grouting
or freezing. In present time, tunneling operation is done with the help of modern
instruments andmodern techniques. Due to this tunneling operations become easier
and quick as compare to pasttimes. Modern machinery and GPS systems are used
to navigate the hole project.

Fig: 3.6: Jacked tunnels

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3.7 Using TBM:

TBM (tunnel borings machine) is one of the very very important machines for
making of tunnel in present time. It can make tunnel through any type of soil
conditions and even through rocks also.

4. HAZARDS IN TUNNELING:

The hazards involved in tunneling and underground works arise due to the
following operations:

i. Drilling oprations
ii. Explosives and blasting
iii. Mucking plant and equipment.
iv. Supporting the excavation

i.Drilling Operations:

Drilling and charging Factors that affect the working environment during the
drilling of rock bolt and blast holes are primarily noise and possible oil mist from
leakages from hydraulic systems or from shank adapter lubrication. These
substances can be absorbed through the skin during work with cart ridged
explosives, and cause headaches

 Ventilation with adapted capacity

 Hearing protectors with high attenuation
 Avoid unnecessary presence close to boring machines in operation •
 Eye protection must be used during charging of emulsion explosive

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 Eyewash should be readily available in case of spray in the eyes

 Gloves must be used during charging work
 Maintenance of machines and equipment
 Only wet drilling shall be permitted.
 9. Drilling equipment has to be kept in good condition.
 Drill platforms shall be built and maintained to provide safe working
conditions.
 To make sure that there are no misfired charges, which the drill may strike
drill, drilling shall not be resumed after blasts
 Suitable railing around the top deck Drill platforms to provided.
 Charging of drilled holes and drilling shall not be carried out simultaneously
in the samearea

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Fig: 4.1: Drilling operation

ii. Explosives and blasting:.

Blasting During blasting, large amounts of gas and dust are produced. If the quartz
content of the rock type is high, there is a greater risk because quartz dust is
particularly aggressive when released by mechanical treatment, such as blasting
and crushing.

 Large flow ventilation and ventilation membrane extending to the face

 Watering of the muck pile with large amount of water

 Optimization of drilling, charging and detonation plan

 Avoid unnecessary presence in the blasting cloud
 Use respiratory protective equipment when in the blasting cloud
 Closed cabins on vehicles and machines that are in the cloud
 All precautions are to be taken as specified in Handling of Explosives

FIG: 4.2: Explosive and blasting

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iii.Mucking plant and equipment:

 After blasting inside a tunnel or a shaft, the roof and walls of the tunnel and
sides of the shaft should be inspected by a tunnel foreman.
 Scaling shall be performed only by the experienced crews under the direct
supervision of a competent supervisor.
 Adequate support (rock bolts or timber or steel supports with proper lagging
) to be provided , if the structure of the rock is weak, poor or structurally
defective
 Prolonged time interval between the two operations to be avoided as the risk
of accidents increases with such delays.

Fig :4.3:Equipment

iv.Supporting the excavation:

 After the mucking operation is over, the profile of excavation should be

examined by an experienced person who should decide whether the support
in the form of rock bolts, steel ribs or shot-concrete is required before any
further operation is carried out.
 In case of rock bolts, safety measures for drilling the holes should observed
before the bolts are fixed. The normal precautions for the erection of steel
works including those of welding, should be taken in the case of steel ribs

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Fig :4.4: Supporting escavation structur

5. GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN TUNNELING:

 Guidance of competent foreman is a must for all operations to be carried out

inside the tunnel.
 Adequate ventilation is required to remove polluted air, gases and smoke
produced.
 Temperatures of not more than 40 C dry and 29 C wet at the working place
to be ensured.
 The tests shall be carried out once after every blast or a major rock-fall or at
least every 24 hours once.
 Tests of gases and for temperature measurements and ventilation
measurements shall be recorded properly maintained.
 Adequate steps shall be taken to prevent the liberation, accumulation and the
propagation of air-borne dust.
 Periodical medical checkup of the workers at least once in three months to
be done and recorded.
 Adequate supply of pure and hygienic air to be maintained.

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The volume of air required shall depend on the following:

 Length of heading
 Size of tunnel.
 Type and amount of explosives used,
 Frequency of blasting, and
 Temperature and humidity.

 Electric power shall used. Whenever diesel engines are used, they shall be
provided with suitable filters, scrubbers, etc, to remove all carbon monoxide
and oxides of nitrogen, etc. Petrol engines shall not be used.
 Rocker or cradle type dump cars shall be provided with a positive type lock
to prevent accidental dumping in mucking yards.
 The trolley tracks to be laid with points, crossings and junctions and also
adequately maintained.
 Blocks or buffers shall be provided at end of each track.
 Trains shall be operated with care and at a speed under control of the
operator at all times.
 A man shall ride in the front equipped with a whistle and a flash light for
warning men along the track and for signaling the locomotive operator, If
the locomotive is pushing a string of cars.
 Head light on each end and a whistle or horn with a tone of sufficient
volume shall be provided for locomotives
 The scaffolding supporting the pipe shall be designed to carry the pipe when
filled with Concrete plus 100 percent overload plus the estimated weight of
the maximum number of workmen that may work on the pipes while the
pump is operating. A factor safety of 4 shall then be used.
 The pipe line shall be anchored at all curves and near the end.
 Proper system of communication should be maintained.
 Adequate fire protection facility to be provided.
 Shelter places for workmen shall be provided at suitable intervals in long
tunnels

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6.COMMON CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS

 The main causes of accidents resulting from excavation work are as follows:
 Workers trapped and buried in an excavation owing to the collapse of the
side.
 Workers struck and injured by material falling into the excavation.
 Workers falling into the excavation.
 Unsafe means of access and insufficient means of access in case of flooding.
 Vehicles driven into or too close to the edge of an excavation, particularly
while
 reversing, causing the sides to collapse.
 Asphyxiation or poisoning caused by fumes heavier than air entering the
excavation, e.g. exhaust fumes from the diesel and petrol engines.

7. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

 All exaction work shall be done under supervision of responsible person.

 The sides of the excavation or trench should be sloped or battered back to a
safe 0 angle of repose, usually 45.
 To prevent collapse of excavations, the sides shall be supported by timbering
or side sheet piling and shoring or other suitable means.
 The type of support necessary will be depending on type of excavation, the
nature of Ground and the ground water conditions.
 Trench support must be installed without delay as the excavation progresses.
 Excavations of 1.2 meter or more in depth should be provided with adequate
timbering or side sheet piling and shoring.
 The excavation and installation of shoring should proceed by stages until the
full depth is reached.
 The dismantling shall be done under supervision of responsible person.
 A competent person should inspect at least once a day where work is in
progress

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8.CONCLUSION:
 It can be said that the tunnels are very important construction work in the
context ofeconomy, facility, modern technology and comfort.
 Modern TBM machines are very useful for the construction of tunnels as
 perspecifications and modern needs and in a speedy manner. By using them
underwater tunnel constructions can also be done.
 Tunnels are very useful in various areas like roads and railway construction
andexcept it , it is very useful for special purpose projects like for the use of
military operations.
 Nowadays constructions of tunnels are easy as compared to the construction
of tunnelsin past times without using any modern techniques and
machineries.
 Occupational safety is very important and it is the joint responsibility of all :
the
 government, the employer and the worker.

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REFERENCES

 C. R. Ford; Immersed Tunnel Techniques 2; pp57-96

 Christian Munch-Petersen, DTI Betoncentret Göran Fagerlund, Lunds
Tekniska Högskola Erik Skotting, Øresundskonsortiet Anette Berrig, DTI
Betoncentret; Concrete for the Øresund Tunnel; Published at Icelandic
Concrete Day, 1997
 David Chapman, Nicole Metje, Alfred Starks; Introduction to Tunnel
Construction; pp1-7 & pp138-163.
 Heinz Herbed; gotthard base tunnel, Switzerland experiences with different
tunneling Methods
 Nicolas Steinmann, AlpTransit Gotthard AG, Switzerland Patrick Favre,
AlpTransit Gotthard AG, Switzerland; building a modern railway line in the
gotthard base tunnel
 Report on Best Practices For Roadway Tunnel Design, Construction,
Maintenance, Inspection, And Operations by American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials
 Xuesong Shen Ming Lu Siri Fernando and Simaan M. AbouRizk, Tunnel
boring machine positioning automation in tunnel construction

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