Underground Singapore 2014

The Use of Advanced Percussive Drilling Techniques to

Predict Ground Conditions Ahead of Sub-surface
Excavations
D.J. Steele, K.K. Wu, M. Ishii, A.D. Mackay & K. Kameyama
Nishimatsu Construction Company Limited, Hong Kong

ABSTRACT: In order to mitigate risk of encountering unexpected ground and groundwater conditions
ahead of an underground excavation face, percussive drilling techniques are commonly adopted. These
techniques termed “probing ahead” are used to supplement existing site investigation (SI) data. Typical
information gained from probing are penetration rate, quantitative measurement of groundwater
inflows, analyses of rock chippings and water flush coloration from infillings and weathered zones,
which can be used to locate relatively weak and water bearing ground. Traditionally the geologist must
manually record this data based on observation and site measurement. Advances in technology enable
a more automated approach to record real-time drilling jumbo data to supplement, (not replace) the
geologist’s observations. Nishimatsu Construction Company Limited (NCC) has developed and
patented a Drilling Survey System (DRISS) that is installed directly onto the drilling jumbo to record
the drilling data. Data recorded by DRISS includes percussive force, rotation pressure and thrust in
addition to penetration rate and damping pressure. The output in the form of graphs and 3-D models
can greatly enhance interpretation of the ground conditions ahead of the excavation face. This paper
provides an overview of the ground conditions encountered during the excavation of the MTR
Corporation Limited (MTR), South Island Line (East) (SIL (East)), Contract 902 tunnel and in
particular how the DRISS was used to enhance the detail obtained.

1 INTRODUCTION

The MTR SIL (East) will provide a connection between the existing MTR Island Line, Tsuen Wan
Line and future Shatin to Central Link to Hong Kong Island southern districts (Figure 1). Contract 902
of the SIL (East) line (Figure 2) comprises a 3.2 kilometre tunnel excavation between the interface
with Contract 901 near Admiralty Station to the Nam Fung portal passing beneath steep terrain, rising
to an elevation of +325 metres Principal Datum (mPD) at Mount Cameron. The tunnel was excavated
through hard rock with abrupt variations in ground conditions, influenced by faulting, lithological and
permeability changes. As the terrain rises a considerable distance above the tunnel crown and is
inaccessible due to densely vegetated, steep, hilly terrain, obtaining ground investigation (GI)
information (vertical and inclined boreholes) was often impractical; in addition the time required to
drill a horizontal core of 500m is about 2 months (Lam et al, 2008), with a decreasing advancement
rate with increased length, the use of horizontal coring along the tunnel alignment was also
impractical. As limited GI data was available a strong reliance on obtaining probe-hole data ahead of
the excavation was therefore necessary.

 
Figure 1. Location of South Island Line (East) (Steele et al. 2013)

Figure 2. Location of contract 902 tunnel

The probe holes were advanced from a computerised Atlas Copco XE3 C Jumbo driven by controlled
hydraulic feed using water flush with an anti-jamming function rotation pressure. Accurate
measurement of the drilling driving mechanisms including pressure measurement; percussive, rotation
(torque), thrust and pressure loss (damping and / or rebound), and the penetration rate were recorded
using DRISS. This allowed a correlation with the groundmass conditions, which ranged from fresh to
moderately decomposed rock with localized zones of relatively intense weathering (highly/completely
decomposed rock), fracturing and relatively closely spaced discontinuities (GEO, 1992).

This paper provides a brief overview of the ground conditions encountered along the MTR SIL (East)
tunnel, C902 and general probing requirements in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(HKSAR). A correlation is made between the probe-hole advancement against as-mapped tunnel
excavation for sections of the C902 which may be useful for future sub-surface excavations through
similar ground conditions.
 

2 OVERVIEW OF THE GROUND CONDITIONS, SIL (EAST), CONTRACT 902

The majority of the tunnel alignment passes through fine ash vitric tuff of the Ap Lei Chau Formation
referenced “Kra” (see Figure 3; Strange et al. 1986 & Sewell et al. 2000). The fine ash tuff also has
inclusions of coarse ash tuff and eutaxite (tuff with sedimentary origin); as a result, the eutaxite
exhibits compressive strength anisotropy parallel and perpendicular to its bedding (Sewell et al. 2000
& GEO 2007).

APPROXIMATE SIL
ALIGNMENT
Medium grained Granite (Kowloon
Granite intrusion, Klk)

Magazine Gap Fault

Eutaxitic Fine Ash Vitric Tuff (Ap

Wan Chai Gap Fault  
Lei Chau Formation, Kra)

Wan Chai Gap Fault

Fine to medium grained Granite

(Mount Butler Granite intrusion,
Klb)

Fine to medium grained Granite (Tei

Tong Tsui Quartz Monzonite, Klt)
Aberdeen Fault 

Aberdeen Fault

Figure 3. General geological map (after Sewell et al. 2000)

Excavation 
Direction by Drill 
& Blast 

Figure 4. General cross section along the Contract 902 tunnel alignment showing major fault locations

The major fault zones and minor faults intersecting the alignment have similar orientations, trending
northeast (NE) to southwest (SW) and ENE, dipping sub-vertically, greater than 70 degrees, see
Figures 3 to 6. These fault zones are typically associated with weakening effects and potential increase
in groundwater inflow. Three major published faults (Strange et al. 1986) potentially influence the
alignment namely:

 Aberdeen Fault – associated with the Quartz Monzonite dyke intrusion trending ENE-WSW
 Wan Chai Gap Fault – traversing mid-way along the alignment and trending NE-SW
 Magazine Gap Fault – traversing the northern portion of the alignment and trending NE-SW

Geological variations along the alignment include medium grained granite within the northern portion
(see Figure 5); intrusions of pegmatite veins, basalt and rhyolite dykes and granitic dyke swarms
traversing the mid portion, and a relatively major quartz monzonite dyke traversing the southernmost
section (see Figure 6). The quartz monzonite dyke is aligned parallel to the Aberdeen Fault. Minor
faults identified by lines of depression in the topography, termed photolineaments, increase in
frequency towards the northernmost and southernmost portions (see Figures 5 & 6).
 

 
Figure 5. Northern section of Contract 902 Figure 6. Southern portal Section of Contract 902 tunnel
tunnel (after Strange et al. 1986) (Strange et al. 1986)

For slightly decomposed to fresh fine ash vitric tuff the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) can
range from very strong to extremely strong (300 to 400MPa) with closely spaced joints (20 to 60mm)
with a blocky fabric typically formed from the presence of four major joint sets (GEO 1988 & 2007).
The quartz monzonite dyke, granite and other localized intrusions have a reduced UCS, ranging from
50 to 250MPa (GEO 2007); other characteristics the granite and intrusions are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1. Ground Characteristics of intrusions along the tunnel alignment

Geology Description (Sewell et Weathering and discontinuity characteristics (GEO 2007)
al. 2000)
Tei Tong Tsui ENE-WSW trending Prone to more intense disintegration and decomposition effects;
(Quartz dykes up to 50m thick, clay rich with frequent kaolin bands of up to 50mm thick infilling
Monzonite, South HK island. relict joints when completely decomposed
Klt)
Basalt Fine grained Low fracture frequency, contact margins tight
Rhyolite Fine grained Highly fractured and brittle.
Kowloon Medium grained Contact margins of intrusions show contact metamorphism
Granite, Klk alteration of Tuff. Granite prone to weathering near surface, with
Mount Fine to medium saprolites having an increase in coarse grained constituents. The
Butler grained granite discontinuities are typically medium spaced, greater than 0.2m
Granite, Klb with limited anisotropic effects.
 
 
3 PROBING AND DRISS APPLICATION

3.1 Probing
Due to the variability of the geological conditions anticipated along the alignment probe-hole data was
used to supplement the SI and DRISS used to enhance the information obtained from the probing. At
the time of writing this paper probing had only been used for the fine ash tuff of the Ap Lei Chau
Formation.

The SIL (East), C902 probing comprised 2 or 3 nos., 64mm diameter drill-bits advanced ahead of the
excavation face between 20m to 50m using a drilling Jumbo (See Figure 7). The inclination of the
probe holes is typically 6°, however, in areas of potentially low rock-head cover, at the southern
portal, the probing inclination is increased to 30° to 45° from the horizontal to intercept and record the
level of the rock cover to ensure correct tunnel temporary support case is followed. The probe
advancement was carried out by extending 3m long drill rods with connecting couplers and using a
64mm retractable drill bit, and typically advanced to a maximum length of approximately 30m as
recommended in GEO, 1992. Upon completion of the probing the drill bit is retracted and the drill
rods dismantled.

Figure 7. Jumbo drilling in operation Figure 8. DRISS Display in the Jumbo Cabin

3.2 DRISS records

The water inflow rates, flush colouration and rock chippings were recorded manually to indirectly
interpret the ground conditions taken from probing. To complement these records, the DRISS was
used to provide real-time measurements of the probe penetration rate, rotation, percussive and thrust
force. Refer to Figure 8 for the DRISS display unit and Figure 9 for the allocation of the data taken
during probing and the digital records and interpretation produced.
 

Figure 9. DRISS Recording process (Yamashita et al. 2008)

The energy applied to advance the probe is transferred to the bit through the probe rod from the motor
by percussive, torque and direct thrust pressure application, refer to Figure 10.
 Percussion

Figure 10. Advancement of the probe

The measurement of the energy transfer is recorded using the following measuring devices:

 Pressure gauges – connected to the hydraulic feeders to the probe-drill recording the direct
pressure, rotation and percussive pressures,
 Data-logger – the advancement of the drill by the pressure application is digitally recorded on a
central data-logger
 Software – the digital data is downloaded to a portable USB drive and processed back in the office
on DRISS software.

An example of records taken using DRISS, for a 33m probe hole advancement in fine ash tuff, are
shown in Figure 11. The horizontal axis in each figure represents the probe length.

Figure 11. An example of records taken using DRISS (PB188; Ch.1539.1-1572.1)

3.3 Probe hole energy loss considerations

A reduction in energy occurs with increased depth of penetration of the probe. The energy loss,
referred to as the “Trod” coefficient, ideally needs to be established from site specific records
analyzing multiple data to determine the energy loss over drilling length. DRISS has a function to
allow for the Trod effect. Factors that affect the Trod coefficient are the shape of the rod connections,
such as the use of speed rods or rod extensions using couplers. Based on the use of DRISS in Japan,
the Trod is estimated at 1.5% for speed rods and approximately 3% for extension using couplers.

Other energy loss factors influence the advancement of the probe hole that also need to be considered,
summarized in Table 2.

Table 2. Practical factors influencing energy loss during probing

Energy loss Remarks Consideration / Mitigation
Flushing pressure Sufficient to ensure hole is free of debris The pressures are relatively small relative
Water Inflow pressure Inflow measurement required to the driving pressure
Probe-hole deviation Accurate surveying required Use of stiffener rods and restrict maximum
probing depth
Hole collapse Increases in longer holes / drill bit Adjustment or removal of non-probe
jamming during increased penetration measurements (such as cleaning hole)
depths due to highly fractured ground from records to ensure misleading
Rod changes Typically required every 3m may result in information not included
hole collapse during the stoppage
Type of drill rod and Typically using couplers will increase the Use of speed rods can reduce the Trod
use of couplers Trod effect.
Drill-bit wear Can be rapid in rock with increased Ensure frequent bit inspections and / or
abrasivity change of bit

The probe holes advanced by the Atlas Copco XE3 C Jumbo at SIL (East) Contract 902 used rod
extensions using couplers. To estimate the Trod in Hong Kong, site specific data was used. An
example of the energy loss taken from 2 probe-holes advanced between Chainage 2952 to 3000m
along the tunnel is presented in Figure 12.
  

Figure 12. Penetration rate (m/min) for 2 probe-holes advanced between Ch.2952-3000

As the as-mapped ground was consistent, comprising strong to very strong, fine ash vitric tuff with a
similar joint set number, spacing and orientation, with minor seepage occurring after 45m of
advancement, the energy loss was considered to be a direct result of the increased probe-hole length.
Based on this and other records a reduction in the penetration rate 1.5% was established for the Trod
coefficient at C902 (m/min loss for each 3m drill rod advancement) for the initial 30m advancement.

The energy loss during advancement for probing carried out during the excavation of the Harbour
Area Treatment Scheme (HATS), Contract DC/2009/24 is presented in Figure 13 (Barmuta et al.
2012). The works are located along the western edge of Hong Kong Island, and the tunnels excavated
through similar geological conditions (fine ash tuff), using similar probing equipment and methods. A
similar energy loss coefficient Trod was estimated ranging from 1.5 to 3.5% per drill rod.
Figure 13. Penetration rate (m/min) for probe-hole advancement (Barmuta et al. 2012)

3.4 Interpretation of the DRISS records

The data recorded to advance the probe are used to interpret the Specific Energy (J/cm3), or drilling
application. This can be derived from percussion pressure and piston frequency along the rod and the
rate of volume of ground removed (AH · V) as shown in the following equation (Yamashita et al.
2008):

Specific Energy (J/cm3)

Given that the drill bit area (AH) and the energy loss along probe (Trod) are constant, the specific
energy can be determined from measurements of the Energy Input (Ei), the penetration rate (V) (Duke
et al. 2007). An example of the Specific Energy interpreted from the DRISS for a 33m probe hole
advancement is shown in Figure 14. The horizontal axis in each figure represents the probe length.

Figure 14. An example of specific energy interpreted using DRISS (PB188; Ch.1539.1-1572.1)
To allow interpretation of these results the Specific Energy (J/cm3), is classified into suitable
increments to provide correlation with the rock mass condition. For the DRISS used at SIL (East)
Contract 902 the categories were 0-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-400 and 400+. Examples of
the interpretation based on this classification is presented in Figures 15 & 16, taken between Chainage
1518.9 to 1551.9 along the tunnel alignment and generally mapped to be Slightly Decomposed Tuff
(SDT) following excavation.

Figure 15. DRISS presentation for Ch.1518.9-1551.9 (Plan view)

 

Figure 16. DRISS presentation for Ch.1518.9-1551.9 (3D View)

4 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DRISS DATA AND THE GROUND CONDITIONS

The tunnel excavation between Chainage 1518.9 to 1551.9 revealed localized increases in penetration
rate and corresponding decreases in the specific energy, as shown in the probe hole records advanced
from (a) the left hand side, (b) the crown and (c) the right hand side of the excavation face (see Figure
17 and 18). Following excavation it was revealed that these variations in the output were due to the
presence of increased weathering (moderately decomposed), and decreased discontinuity spacing, to
closely spaced (20 to 60mm). The relative increase in penetration rate and decrease in specific energy
in figure 17c is associated a greater weathering intensity (highly decomposed) along the joint surfaces.
The projections of the changes in parameters are presented on the as-built records along the tunnel
chainage are presented in Figure 19.

Although the specific locations identified from the DRISS records from the probing, the as-built
records presented in Figure 19, indicated a broad correspondence with sub-vertical geological features
traversing the tunnel alignment. These were associated with a decrease in weathering grade and
decrease in the discontinuity spacing and localized changes in orientation. It should be noted that when
the discontinuity spacing decreases to closely spaced (20 to 60mm), the approximate diameter of the
drill bit, this impacts the probe penetration and energy, as the block size is width is a similar diameter
to the bit and additionally may cause frequent jamming during drilling.

Limitations of the use of DRISS are in ground with high groundwater inflows from the probe hole and
the groundwater pressure affects the percussive and thrust force used so that correlation between
weathering grade and specific energy is not possible under these conditions.

Figure 17. Increases in penetration rate and decrease in specific energy for probe holes at Ch.1518.9-1551.9  
Figure 18. Ground conditions highlighted in Figure 17

Zone from Probing 
Potential Weak 

Record 

Figure 19. Projection of potential poor ground conditions onto as-built mapping record for Ch.1500-1560

5 CONCLUSIONS

The rock mass strength has a strong correlation with the weathering grade and discontinuity intensity
for rocks in the HKSAR, and other characteristics such as fracturing and chemical alteration. This
classification can be related to the probe specific energy recorded using DRISS, which has provided
indicative correlation with the weathering grade and localized zones of saprolites. The DRISS has
proven successful in accurately recording the locations of minor weak zones, zones of intense
fracturing and soft joint infilling within a rockmass of slightly decomposed hard rock Tuff.

6 ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

NCC would like to acknowledge MTR Corporation Limited for their consent to publish this paper.
The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors only and not of any other party.

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