Module 6.

1 TBM
Specialist Diploma In Underground Construction

Construction Techniques For Tunnel And Cavern

(Part 3 of 3)
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Course Outline – Part 3 Underground Construction
Part 3

Part 1
- Introduction to Tunnelling
- Concepts & Terminology
- Types of TBM & Their Characteristics

Part 2
- Innovations in TBM
- TBM Supporting Plants & Equipment
- Basic Understanding of Tunnel Construction

Part 3
- TBM Selection Criteria
- Case Study
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Tunnelling Risks Underground Construction

Part 3

“Plans are nothing; planning is everything”

- Former US President Dwight D Eisenhower (1890-1969)

1. Risks Assessment
2. Risk Register
3. Roles & Responsibilities
4. Stages of Works
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Tunnelling Risks Underground Construction

Part 3

Common Tunnelling Risks:

1. Ground Conditions/Obstruction
2. Break-In & Break-Out
3. Face Pressure
4. Excavation Volume
5. Primary Grouting Volume/Pressure
6. Compressed Air Intervention
7. Soil Conditioning
8. Wrong Selection of TBM Type
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

Part 3

What Happens When Things Goes Wrong?

In most cases, tunnel alignment are in urban areas… attracting more risks than
desired. The trend of tight schedules, low construction budgets, fierce competition
leads to the following …

o Risk To Public/Property
o Risk To Project Team
o Project Delay – High Cost
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Risk To Public/Property

Sinkhole Caused by Excessive Excavation

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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Risk To Public/Property
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Main Considerations

1. Geotechnical Behaviour of Ground

2. Site Boundary Conditions
3. Risk Appreciation
4. Experience of The Contractor
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

Part 3

Geotechnical Behavior of Ground

1. Type of Soil/Rock
2. Properties of Soil/Rock
3. Grain Size Curves For Soils
4. Permeability
5. Ground Water Level
6. Particular Behaviour of Ground – Squeezing, Rock Burst, Fault Line
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

Part 3

Geotechnical Behavior of Ground – Soil Characterisation

1. Grain Size Distribution

2. Water Content
3. Deposit Thickness
4. Abrasiveness
5. Permeability
6. Angle Of Friction/Undrained Shear Strength
7. SPT N-Value
8. Pore Water Pressure
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Geotechnical Behavior of Ground – Grain Size Distribution

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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Geotechnical Behavior of Ground – Rock Characterisation

1. RQD Value
2. Unconfined Compressive Strength
3. Abrasiveness
4. Permeability
5. Fissure/Faults/Bedding
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

Part 3

Geotechnical Behavior of Ground – Ground Parameters

Knowledge of Parameters Will Help to Ascertain:

1. Soil Face Stability
2. Face Support Type
3. Influence of Groundwater
4. Surface Settlement
5. Abrasiveness on Cutters & TBM
6. Separability of Soil
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

Part 3

Site Boundary Conditions

1. Critical Structures
2. Launch & Retrieval Area Available
3. Available of Equipment
4. Project Timeline
5. Soil Disposal & Handling
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Risk Appreciation

1. Environmental Impact – Undercrossing Rivers

2. Damage To Structures/Utilities – Unrecorded Foundation
3. Geological Risks – Unforeseen, Accuracy of S.I.
4. Historical Land Use – Unforeseen Obstructions
5. Project Programme – Productivity of TBM
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

Part 3

Experience Of Contractor/Client

1. Experience of Contractor/Client
2. Experience of Local Workforce
3. Knowledge of Performance of Past Projects In Similar Conditions
4. Understanding of Local Industry Practices
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

Part 3

TBM Selection Matrix – Sample

The selection of the TBM is based on the matrix system below. Please note that it is specified that only
closed face machine will be used for Singapore projects. As such, the TBM selection is down to 2 types of
machines (i.e. Earth Pressure Balance Machine and Slurry Pressure Balance Machine).

* The score range is from 0 to 3. The total score is 90 maximums.

* If there is a "0" score appear in any type of TBM, it means this type of TBM is not suitable for the
project whatever their final score is.

0 – Not Feasible, 1 – Feasible, 2 – Suitable, 3 – Very Suitable

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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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TBM Selection Matrix – Sample

S/N Item Conditions Unit EPB Slurry Remarks
Anticipated Ground
1
Conditions
a) SIII 36.22 % 1 3
b) SIV 24.65 % 2 3
c) SV 38.44 % 3 1
d) F2/SV 0.69 % 2 2
e) Max Water Content 60 % 2 3
f) Max Water Pressure 2 bar 3 3
g) Max Permeability 10-6 m/s 3 2 10-7m/s is a boundary. Greater SPB better
h) Max Grain Size - mm
High content of fines < 0.02mm requires expensive separation
i) Min Grain Size - mm
process
j) Max N-value/Strength 100/4 SPTN/MPa 3 2
k) Cohesive Yes - 3 1
2 Site Space Constraint 1500 m2 3 1 SPB need more space for STP
3 Operation Difficulty Based on contractor's experience and local knowledge/support
a) Operation System Learning - - 3 1 EPB has overall simpler system to learn, operate and maintain
Face Pressure/settlement
b) - - 3 3
Control
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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TBM Selection Matrix – Sample

S/N Item Conditions Unit EPB Slurry Remarks
4 Anomalies in Ground - -
a) Heterogeneity Yes - 3 1
b) Natural/artificial obstacles Yes - 2 2
c) Voids No - 3 3
5 Environment
a) Minimise Settlement - - 2 3
b) Noise Control - - 2 3
Critical Surface Structures,
Utilities, Expected Should combine all factors together to consider (Such as
6 Underground Obstructions, project location, traffic loading, building foundation details,
etc. Minimise impact to etc…)
Undercrossing/Near:
a) Sensitive building 7 nos 2 3
b) Pipe/cable/utility - nos 3 3 In Overburden
c) Canal - nos 3 3 In Overburden
EPB higher advance rate, ,more CHI
7 Production Rates (Average) 35 mm/min 3 1 SPB Lower advance rate, less CHI
Base on overall soil conditions to decide
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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TBM Selection Matrix – Sample

S/N Item Conditions Unit EPB Slurry Remarks
8 Availability of Additives - - 3 1
Site Power Supply
9
Constrain
a) Sub-station with HT Supply Available 3 3
b) Generator N.A. 3 3
10 Ease of Muck Disposal Yes - 3 1 SPB require more expensive muck disposal cost
11 Risk
In case of face collapse amount of ground loss is limited for EPB
a) Over/under Excavation - - 3 2 EPB easier to measure mucking out volume and calculate the
volume loss
Machine Design Life and SPB has lower torque and lower main drive power (SPB may get
b) - - 2 3
Wear & Tear higher buyback rates)
c) Cutterhead Clogging Issue - - 1 3 Especially in ground improvement area with EPB
Total 72 63
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

Part 3

TBM Selection Matrix – Sample

In order to make the decision on the selection of EPB vs SPB we must consider all the selection criteria.
Nothing can be put aside as inconsequential without a minimum level review. Items which are unimportant
to the decision process on one job may be critical to the decision process on another project or anywhere
in between.

To recommend EPB or SPB for a project without a complete review of all available information and a study
of each of the selection criteria in detail would not be an advisable course of action. To eliminate one
method over the other or to set a preference should only be done after due consideration has been given.

Both EPB and SPB have their uses modern tunnelling and both methods of pressurized face support
should be given consideration during the selection process of a project.
As a conclusion, EPBM got 72/90 points and Slurry PBM got 63/90 points in this project evaluation.

In conclusion, EPBM is selected based on our evaluation.

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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

Part 3

Tunnelling in Mixed Ground

Mixed Ground Condition Dilemma!!!
Challenges of Tunnelling Through Mixed Ground Condition
Highly varied loads acting on Cutterhead through Rock-Soil interface results in:

1. High vibration to cutting tools

2. Abnormal Cutter Wear and damages
3. Frequent Interventions for Cutter Change

Others
1. Face Stability Issues – Slow Rate of Tunnelling – Sinkholes/Excessive Settlement
2. Matching TBM operating parameters with geological conditions
3. Blockages of Slurry Pipes from Excavated Rocks (Slurry TBM)
4. TBM may ride on the harder geology
5. Difficulty to reconcile the excavated muck volume
6. Many more ….. Boulders damaging cutterhead …etc.
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Course Outline – Part 3 Underground Construction

Part 3

Part 1
- Introduction to Tunnelling
- Concepts & Terminology
- Types of TBM & Their Characteristics

Part 2
- Innovations in TBM
- TBM Supporting Plants & Equipment
- Basic Understanding of Tunnel Construction

Part 3
- TBM Selection Criteria
- Case Study
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

Part 3

Case Study 1
LEGEND Backfill soil Residual soil (GIV-GVI) Rock (GI-GII) F1/F2

Station 1
LS2

815m

TBM 1

Station
LS 2 2

210m 475m

TBM 2
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

Part 3

Case Study 1 – Geotechnical Behaviour of Ground

Soil Characterisation
1. Grain Size Distribution – See Graph
2. Water Content – 40-60%
3. Deposit Thickness – See Geological Alignment
4. Abrasiveness - Moderate
5. Permeability - Low
6. Angle Of Friction/Undrained Shear Strength - Good
7. SPT N-Value - Good
8. Pore Water Pressure - Hydrostatic
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Case Study 1 – Geotechnical Behaviour of Ground

Grain Size Distribution
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Case Study 1 – Geotechnical Behaviour of Ground

Rock Characterisation
1. RQD Value – Good Quality Rock
2. Unconfined Compressive Strength – Strong to Very Strong
3. Abrasiveness - High
4. Permeability – Low (Not expecting high pressure if tunnelling in competent rock)
5. Fissure/Faults/Bedding – Not expected
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Case Study 1 – Site Boundary Conditions

• Tunnel Alignment – Suitable for all TBM types

• Availability of Ground Information – Yes
• Urban Area – Yes (Closed Face Required)
• Critical Structures – Close to buildings and under major roads Closed Face Required)
• Launch & Retrieval Area Available – Suitable for all TBM types
• Shaft Dimension – Sufficient for TBM
• Access Restriction – No Restriction
• Available of Equipment – Yes
• Project Timeline – Normal
• Soil Disposal & Handling – No Problem (Water supply to site is an issue)
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Case Study 1 – Considerations for Risk Assessment

1. Health & Safety – High Safety Requirements (Closed Face Required)

2. Environmental – High Requirements (Closed Face Required)
3. Damage To Structures/Utilities – Low
4. Geological Risks – Low
5. Project Programme – Normal Project Duration
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Case Study 1 – Experience Of Contractor

1. Experience of Contractor – High on All Types of TBM

2. Experience of Local Workforce – High on All Types of TBM
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Case Study 1 – Conclusion

1. What would be your choice for TBM 1 & TBM 2?

2. What would be your selection if you are only allowed one type of TBM?

Note
• Disregard the cost factor
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Case Study 2

Station 4

Station 5

[LEGENDS]
Water Level
Weathered Rock (TCR<50%)
Hard Rock (TCR>80% & RQD>50%)
Soil (Residual/Filled up soil)
Tunnel Excavation levels
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Case Study 2 – Alignment Conditions

Tunnel alignment is under a busy road flanked by 2-4 storey high old shophouses
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Case Study 3

2 STORY PRIVATE HOUSE

1D 3m 1D

TUN N EL
50m 130m 20m
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Case Study 3 – Alignment Conditions

Tunnel alignment is under a major arterial road flanked by low rise 2-5 storey residential buildings
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TBM Selection Criteria Underground Construction

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Case Study 3 – Sensitive Receivers Encountered in First Drive

HDB

HDB

PETROL
STATION
SPORTS
HDB HDB CLASS HALL
ROOM
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Discussions Underground Construction

Part 3

1. Decide (in concept only) on the size of the tunnel (or tunnels) and the track alignment
(vertical and horizontal; straight or with curves?). State in point form what the
considerations you had in reaching the decision.

2. What types of construction technique would be suitable for the project? Is there any
disadvantage in the technique selected? State your considerations and sequence of
main activities (design stage till handover) in point form.

3. Give a rough schedule (time frame, considering the site constraint that may exist) for
this project and estimate the total cost (construction work only; design not included).

4. Very often, an impact assessment report is required from the Contractor regarding how
the tunnelling work will affect the adjacent buildings / infrastructures. In your own
words, describe the major risks this project will pose to the surrounding structures.

5. Is there any new technology which will help better manage the project, improve
productivity and reduce safety hazard? Briefly illustrate the ideas / knowledge you
gathered in this regard.
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Q&A Underground Construction

Part 3

Thank You