Prediction of tunnel behavior in time-dependent soft rock using

displacement measurements of borehole

Hideto Mashimo,
Public Works Research Institute, Incorporated Administrative Agency, Tsukuba, Japan
Hiromichi Shiroma,
Japan-Highway Research Institute, Machida, Japan

ABSTRACT: Two-dimensional theoretical solution using visco-elastic type constitutive model

for the support design of a tunnel with time–dependent characteristics, which takes progression
of the tunnel face into account, is derived. In order to predict the tunnel behavior with time-
dependent characteristics and determine the mechanical constants representing the time-
dependent behavior, a method using the time-dependent displacement measurements of bore-
hole wall is proposed, and a developed instrument to measure the displacement of a borehole
drilled from tunnel face or sidewall is presented. A comparison between theoretical solution and
field measurements shows the applicability of proposed method to the tunnel design.

1 INTRODUCTION
Large deformations of surrounding medium around tunnels with time-dependent characteristics
are often encountered when a tunnel is excavated in soft rock with low compression strength
and high initial ground stress. In order to design support structure and determine the installation
timing of support structure of a tunnel with time-dependent characteristics, it is important to
predict the tunnel deformation and the earth pressure acting on the tunnel support structure with
progression of the tunnel face. In general, theoretical analysis or numerical analysis, in which
the time-dependent mechanical properties are modeled by linear visco-elastic type constitutive
model, is applied to the prediction of the time-dependent tunnel behavior. In these analyses, the
mechanical constants of the ground, in particular the constants representing the time-dependent
mechanical properties play a very important role.
In the first part of this paper, two-dimensional theoretical solution using visco-elastic type
constitutive model for the support design of a tunnel with time–dependent characteristics, which
takes progress of the tunnel face into account, is derived. Secondly, a method to determine the
mechanical constants representing the time-dependent mechanical properties by using the time-
dependent displacement of a borehole wall is proposed and a developed instrument to measure
the displacement of borehole wall is presented. Finally, the proposed method is applied to actual
tunnels and the field data are compared with the derived theoretical solution.

2 VISCO-ELASTIC SOLUTION OF TIME-DEPENDENT TUNNEL BEHAVIOR

2.1 Displacement of an unsupported tunnel
Radial displacement u(x) at the circumference of an unsupported tunnel at a reference section
associated with tunnel face advance is given by the following equation, if the rock medium con-
sists of a homogeneous, isotropic, linear elastic material:
r
u (x ) = i p 0 g(x )
2G (1)
where ri is the tunnel radius, x is the distance between the point at distance of 1D (D is the di-
ameter of the tunnel) ahead of the reference section (A) and the tunnel face, p0 is the initial
 P0
Pw
Pw
Reference section A
1D
u(x)
Displacement ratio g(x) = u(x)/u(∞)

D
ug 0 t'

u
0 x
1.0 ur(t')

Radial displacement
0.8 ugn(t')
g2 ug(t')
0.6 FEM （ν=0.2） t'
FEM （ν=0.3）
FEM （ν=0.4）
0.4 Fitting u(t0+t')

0.2
g1
0.0
0 1D
（Reference section A）
2D 3D tf t0（Support installation） Time t
(Face passage)
Distance to tunnel face x
Figure 1.Radial displacement of a reference section A as- Figure 2. Radial displacement and earth pressure
sociated with tunnel face progression for an un- acting on support structure after installa-
supported tunnel tion of support structure

ground stress, G is the shear modulus of rock mass, and g(x) denotes the ratio of accumulative
displacement u(x) to final value u(∞), which is approximately expressed by the following equa-
tion calculated by means of the three-dimensional finite-element analysis as shown in Figure 1:

0≦x≦D : g(x)=g1{exp(0.6931x/D)-1}
D≦x : g(x)=g1+g2[1-exp{-4(x-D)/D}] (2)

where g1 denotes the ratio of accumulative displacement that has occurred prior to the tunnel
face passage to the final value and g2 denotes the ratio of accumulative displacement that has
occurred after the tunnel face passage to the final value. If the speed of the tunnel face progres-
sion v is constant, equation (1) is transformed to the function of elapsed time t as follows:
ri (3)
p g ( vt ) u(t) =
2G 0
By introducing the concept of equivalent initial stress (Sakurai,1978) given by p(t)=p0g(vt)
and adopting the correspondence principle into equation (3), radial displacement at the circum-
ference of a tunnel in visco-elastic material is obtained by the following equation:
∂ t
u ( t ) = ri p(0)ψ ( t ) + ri ∫0 ψ ( t - τ)
p ( τ) d τ (4)
∂τ
whereψ(t) denotes the creep function for shear deformation.

2.2 Displacement of a supported tunnel and earth pressure acting on tunnel support structure
The radial displacement ug(t’) at the circumference of a supported tunnel after the installation of
the tunnel support structure is given by the following equation as shown in Figure 2:
u g ( t’) = u gn ( t’) − u r ( t’)
t’ ∂
= u gn ( t’) − ri ∫ ψ ( t’
− τ) p w ( τ ) d τ (5)
0 ∂τ
where ugn(t’) denotes the radial displacement of an unsupported tunnel given by the following
equation, ur(t’) denotes the radial displacement restrained by the tunnel support structure and
pw(t’) denotes the earth pressure acting on the tunnel support structure,:
u gn ( t’) = u ( t 0 + t’) − u ( t 0 ) (6)
where t0 is the elapsed time after the occurrence of the radial displacement at a referential sec-
tion until the support structure is installed. On the other hand, assuming that the combined sup-
port structure is installed at same time and bears the same deformation, the radial displacement
of uc(t’) of a combined tunnel support structure is given by the following:

uc(t’)=ripw(t’)/kcs (7)

where kcs is the stiffness of combined tunnel support structure, which is expressed as follows, if
the structure can be assumed to be a thin circular frame and the mechanism of rock bolt effect is
considered the same as of anchor effect (Mashimo,1995).

kcs=kcb+ks
kcb=kc/[1-1/(dbdslbEchc/(EbAbri2)+1)] (8)
ks=EsAs/rids, kc=Echc/ri

where Ec is the elastic modulus of shotcrete, hc is the shotcrete thickness, Es is the elastic
modulus of steel, As is the cross- sectional area of steel sets, ds is the distance interval between
the steel sets, db is the circumferential rockbolt spacing, lb is the rockbolt length, Eb is the elastic
modulus of rockbolt, Ab is the cross-section area of rockbolt.
The compatibility condition for displacements ug(t’)=uc(t’) turns out as the following integral
equations:
t’ ∂
u gn ( t’) − ri ∫ ψ ( t’
− τ) p w ( τ)dτ = ri p w ( t’)／k cs (9)
0 ∂τ
If the time scale is considered divided into intervals by the time values ti, (i=1,2, ..(n+1)),
with t1=0 and t n+1=t’, the integration in equation (9) is transformed to the following finite ap-
proximation:
t’ ∂ tn +1 ∂
∫0 ψ ( t’− τ) ∂τ p w ( τ)dτ = ∫t1= 0 ψ ( t n +1 − τ) ∂τ p w ( τ)dτ
(10)
≒ ∑ {ψ ( t n +1 − t k +1 ) + ψ ( t n +1 − t k )}{p w ( t k +1 ) − p w ( t k )}
1 n
2 k =1
Substitutions of equation (10) into equation (9) yields the following set of algebraic equations:

ri n
u gn ( t n +1 ) + ∑ p w (t k ){ψ(t n +1 − t k +1 ) − ψ(t n +1 − t k −1 )}
2 k=2
p w ( t n +1 ) = (11)
ri / k cs + riψ (0) / 2 + riψ ( t n +1 − t n ) / 2
In the above equation, pw(tn+1) is determined successively in terms of values already obtained.

3 DETERMINATION OF TIME-DEPENDENT MECHANICAL CONSTANTS

3.1 Principle of determining time-dependent mechanical constants for tunnel support design
using borehole displacement
In this study, the following creep function associated with the three- element rheological model
sown in Figure 3 is adopted to simulate the creep deformations of rock material:

ψ(t ) =
1
+
1
{1 − exp( − t / T)} (12)
2G 2G *
where G and G* is the instant and retarded shear moduli, respectively, and T (=η/G*,ηis the
viscosity coefficient) is the retardation time. For the purpose of designing the tunnel support
structure, it is necessary to determine the mechanical constants representing creep deformations
G, G*and T. In general, the value of G can be obtained by in-situ investigation test such as
borehole load test. On the other hand, there is no specified method to determine the values of
G* and T. In this study, therefore, a method to determine these constants for tunnel support
structure design by analyzing the measured time-dependent radial displacement of borehole, that
is drilled forward from the tunnel face or the tunnel sidewall, is proposed.
 2G*
2G

2η
Figure 3. Rheological model

borehole LVDT

76
LVDT
460 40 120 260
880
unit : mm
Figure 4. Borehole displacement measuring instrument

The displacement ub0 (t) of borehole drilled in the rock mass is treated as the displacement of
a circular tunnel with a radius ri drilled instantly. If the rock medium, therefore, consists of a
homogeneous, isotropic, linear visco-elastic material with initial ground stress p0, the displace-
ment of borehole wall could be obtained as the following equation by substituting p(t)=p0 in the
equation (4):
 1
u b 0 ( t’) = ri p 0  +
1
{1 − exp( − t’/ T)}
 2G 2G *  (13)
where t’ is the time after drilling a borehole has been finished.
Let t0 be the time elapsed after drilling the borehole until the displacement measurement of
borehole wall starts. The radial displacement ub(t) of borehole wall occurring after the initiation
of the displacement measurement can be expressed as follows:
u b (t ) = u b0 (t + t 0 ) − u b0 (t 0 )

= ri p 0
1
[exp( − t 0 / T ) − exp {( − t − t 0 ) / T}] (14)
2G *
where t is the time after the measurement has been started.
Equation (14) is the function of parameters G* and T, therefore G* and T are determined so
as to minimize the following valueε:
m
ε = ∑ (u *bti − u bti (G*, T))2 → min (15)
i =1
where u*bti denotes the measured displacement at time ti, ubti denotes the displacement calcu-
lated by equation (14) at time ti, and m is equal to total number of measurement point.
For this minimization analysis, computer programs such as Powell method can easily be used.

3.2 Development of borehole displacement measuring instrument

In order to measure the time-dependent radial displacement of borehole wall, a borehole dis-
placement measuring instrument shown in Figure 4 has been developed. The borehole dis-
placement measuring instrument consists of a metal cylinder with a diameter of 76mm and a
length of 880mm. The cylinder is equipped with three LVDTs (Linear Variable Differential
Transducers) with a capacity of 10mm and a resolution of 10-2 mm, located on the top and both
sides of the cylinder so that the radial displacements of borehole wall in the vertical and hori-
zontal direction can be measured. The cylinder includes air pistons in order that the heads of
LVDTs, that are retracted into the cylinder initially, can be lifted at measuring stage by increas-
ing the air pressure of the air piston from a distant point. The procedure for applying this in-
strument to the tunnel construction site is as follows. First, the site is selected and a borehole
with a diameter of 86mm is drilled horizontally from tunnel face or tunnel sidewall to the spe-
cific depth. After drilling the borehole has been finished, the borehole displacement measuring
instrument is installed into the measuring position and the head of LVDT is lifted. Once check-
ing out that the head of LVDTs touches the borehole wall, signal outputs from the LVDTs are
transferred by an electric cable to the data recorder for automatic recording and data processing.
 5 1.4
①

1.2 ② ③
4

Displacement（mm）
1
Displacement（mm）

3 0.8

0.6
2
0.4 Mesurement
①
1 ②
Mesurement
0.2
③
Theory Theory
0 0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Time（hours） Time（hours）
Figure 5. Radial displacement of borehole (Tunnel A) Figure 6. Radial displacement of borehole (Tunnel B)

4 PRACTICAL APPLICATION TO TUNNEL DESIGN AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Measurement results of borehole displacement
In order to verify the practical use of the developed instrument, the instrument has been field
tested in borehole drilled horizontally from the sidewall at Tunnel A and Tunnel B. Tunnel A
has a circular shape with a diameter of 4.2m, and its support structure consists of shotcrete and
steel sets. Tunnel B has a near-circular shape with a width of 11.3m and a height of 8.9m, and
its support structure consists of shotcrete, steel sets and rockbolts. The measurements were car-
ried out at a depth of 10m and 40m in borehole at Tunnel A and Tunnel B, respectively. The
ground at the both tunnel site and its vicinity, where the measurements were carried out, ap-
peared to be composed of mudstone with the uniaxial compressive strength of 1.5N/mm2 at
Tunnel A and 1.8N/mm2 at Tunnel B. The overburden height at the measurement point of Tun-
nel A and Tunnel B are 68m and 140m, respectively. Figure 5 and Figure 6 shows the relation-
ship between the measured radial displacement of borehole wall and the time. It can be seen
from the results that the radial displacements of borehole have increased with increase in time.
In these figures, the calculated displacements obtained by substituting G*, T, that were obtained
by solving equation (15), in equation (14) are also shown as closed circle. The calculated dis-
placements correspond nearly to the measured ones. It is, therefore, noted that the creep defor-
mations of rock material can be simulated by the three- element rheological model.

4.2 Practical application to tunnel design

In order to check the applicability of the proposed method to tunnel design with time-dependent
behavior, the results obtained by theoretical analysis are compared with those from field meas-
urement. The tunnel convergence and the earth pressure acting on the tunnel support structure of
tunnel A obtained by equation (7), (11) using the mechanical constants G=50N/mm2,
G*=130N/mm2 and T= 300hr, that are obtained by borehole load test and measured displace-
ment of borehole wall, are compared with field data as shown in Figure 7. Figure 8 also shows
the tunnel convergence and the circumferential axial stress in shotcrete of tunnel B obtained by
using the mechanical constants G= G*=110N/mm2 and T= 57hr. In these figures, the measured
earth pressure pw and the calculated stress in shotcreteσc is obtained by considering the equilib-
rium conditions between the earth pressure and the stress of support structure.

pw=pc+ps, pc=pwkcb/kcs, ps=pwks/kcs,

σc=pc ri [1-1/(dbdslbEchc/(EbAbri2)+1)] /hc, σs =psrids/As (16)

where pc and ps designate the earth pressure acting on the shotcrete lining and steel sets, respec-
tively, σc and σs the circumferential axial stress in the shotcrete and steel sets.
 16 40 4 40
① Mesurement
Measurement

Earth pressure acting on tunnel

①
Theory ②

support structure（MN/m2)
④ ②
③
12 30 3 30

Face progression（m）

Face progression（m）
④
Convergence（mm）

③ Theory

8 20 2 20

4 10 1 10
Face progression
Face progression
0 0 0 0
0 10 20 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time（days） Time（days）
(a) Convergence (b) Earth pressure acting on tunnel support structure
Figure 7. Comparison of tunnel behavior obtained by theoretical analysis and field measurement (Tunnel A)

300 100 30 100

Upper section
Upper section

Stress in shotcrete(MN/m2)
Lower section
Face progression
Lower section
Face progression(m)

Face progression(m)
Face progression
Convergence(mm)

200 50 20 50

100 0 10 0

Mesurement Mesurement
Theory Theory
0 -50 0 -50
0 60 120 180 0 60 120 180
Time(days) Time(days)
(a) Convergence (b) Stress in shotcrete
Figure 8. Comparison of tunnel behavior obtained by theoretical analysis and field measurement (Tunnel B)

It can be seen from these figures that the measured convergence, earth pressure acting on
tunnel support structure, stress in shotcrete increased even after the tunnel face is quite far from
the observed section and there is fairly good agreement between the field measurements and the
theoretical solution.

5 CONCLUSION

1. A new instrument that can measure the time-dependent radial displacement of borehole wall
has been developed. It has been demonstrated that the instrument could be applied to predict the
tunnel behavior with time-dependent characteristics in advance and determine the mechanical
constants representing the time-dependent mechanical properties.
2. A good correlation between the measurement and theoretical solution using visco-elastic type
constitutive model indicates the applicability of two-dimensional theoretical solution to the tun-
nel design with time-dependent characteristics.

REFERENCES
Sakurai, S. 1978. Approximate time-dependent analysis of tunnel support structure considering progress
of tunnel face, International journal for numerical and analytical method in geomechanics, Vol.2,
pp.159-175,
Mashimo, H. 1995. Prediction of Tunnel behavior in time dependent rocks by visco-elastic model, Pro-
ceedings of the 26th Symposium on Rock Mechanics, JSCE, Vol.pp211-215 (in Japanese)