20/03/2020
F.Y. M.Tech (Tunnel Engineering) Trimester - III
Analysis and Design of Tunnel Supporting Systems
SAURABH BAPUSAHEB YELE
Assignment No.1
1) Differentiate between design of building on the ground and design of tunnel.
Above Ground
Characteristics
Construction
Construction material Defined properties of
construction materials with
quality control procedures
during the production
procedure, including control
testing.
Loads The loads for which the
structural analysis is carried
out are mostly known.
Safety Since the properties of
construction material & loads
Tunnel Construction
The ground, with all its
uncertainty & general
inability to influence its
properties
(not with-standing ground
improvement techniques) is
construction material.
Only by making assumptions,
loads are possible to estimate
i.e. magnitude of load is
based on assumption & is
thus basically unknown.
Due to number of
uncertainties related to loads
 are known, the safety factor & material properties, it is not
relative to failure can be possible to calculate a
determined. quantitative factor regarding
the safety of tunnel
construction.
Design Span Buildings or infrastructures Tunnels are design based on
above ground are design for 150-200 years of design span
approximately 50-60 years
design span
Is code use IS 456:2000 IS 15026 (2002): Tunneling
IS 875:1987 Methods in Rock Masses
IS 1893 IS 4756 (1978): Safety Code
for Tunneling Work
IS 5878-2: Code of Practice
for Construction of Tunnels.

Software used Stadd Pro Rocdata

Etab Rocsupport
Auto Cad RS 2, RS 3
Revit etc. Placis
Design members It includes design of It includes design of tunnel
foundation, beam, column, portal, tunnel support system,
slab etc. ventilation system, geometric
& dynamic considerations
etc.

2) Why tunnel design is not a discrete science? What are the challenges for tunnel design
engineer?
 The ground geology, with all its uncertainty & general inability to influence its
properties is only material through which tunnel is constructed hence there is no
predefined properties of material as it is in above ground conditions.
 Magnitude of loads including before & after construction of tunnel is totally based
on assumption hence each construction site gives different magnitude of loads.
 Depending on assumption-based magnitude of loads & numbers of geological
investigation reports, tunnel supporting system is design which is complex &
unique for each construction of tunnel.
 Due to number of uncertainties related to loads & material properties, it is not
possible to calculate a quantitative factor regarding the safety of tunnel
construction hence proper measures are taken related to safety, while execution of
tunnel.
 Water is biggest enemy for any construction activity hence plays very important
role & need proper designed drainage system to carry out the water totally.
 sometimes it is also challenging for tunnel engineer & designer to decide the
tunnel alignment i.e. when it crosses/passes through heritage, monuments,
pipelines, underground caverns etc. are taken in account & based on that
alignment is shifted.
3) State and explain about various parameters of ground necessary for tunnel support
design. 
 detailed geological, geotechnical, geohydrological investigation should carried in
order to check the ground is good, fair or bad & according to that adequate
support system is designed.
 numbers of tests are carried out on ground to carry out parameters such as
o Field test: SPT (IS 2131-1981)
o Index test: Schmidt hammer test (NDT)
o Pressure meter test: OYO Elastmeter (get direct value of plastic modulus
of rock mass)
o Packer permeability test: primary & secondary
o laboratory test: durability, strength & stiffness, identification &
classification.
o shear strength, direct tensile strength, uniaxial tension test, triaxial
compression
o Cerchar Abrisivity test (CAI)
 Rock Mass Rating (RMR) IS13365 or RMC:
o based on 6 parameters the rocks are rated out of 100 rating & then
classified as good, fair, poor etc. and adequate support system is designed.
 RQD (Rock Quality Designation):
o based on SPT test core log is carried out & RQD is find out. based on
RQD rock is then classified as very poor, poor, fair, good etc.
 GSI (Geological Strength Index):
o co-relate intact rock with rock mass.
 Q system w.r.to Barton chart:
o based on 6 parameters Q is calculated.
o according to Q & ESR value the respective or adequate support system is
adopted.
4) Draw the pattern of elastic deformation in the rock mass surrounding an advancing
tunnel.
5) What is characteristic curve of tunnel?