Design of Support Systems for

Al-Hoti Tunnel
Dr. R. Venugopala Rao & G. D. Raju
Numerical Modeling Division
National Institute of Rock Mechanics
Kolar Gold Fields - 563 117
Karnataka, India
Tel : 0091 8153 375003
E-mail : v_ravu@yahoo.com
Objective
State of stresses around the excavations
Displacement distribution
Forces induced in support system
Design of support system
Description of the Problem
&Geology
Tunnel 4x4m
Rock Cover 20-100m
Rock type Limestone (Dolamitized)
UCS 90-110
Joints Sub vertical at 1 to 2m
Sub horizontal 0.5m to 2m
NGI Q 1-40(Class IV to II)

Computational Model
2D Discrete Element Model 60x60
Elasto-plastic Constitutive Model
Mohr-Coulomb Joint Constitutive Model
Support Systems
Shotcrete (100mm)Curved Plate Element
Rock Bolt-Element with Axial and Shear
Stiffness (25mm at 1 to 1.4m)
Physico-mechanical Properties
Youngs Modulus Y = 9 16 GPa
Poissons ratio = 0.2
Density = 2400 kg/m
3
UCS of intact rock = 90-110 MPa
Rock Mass parameters
Cohesion = 4 -5 MPa
Friction Angle = 30 - 37
Design of Support System using NGI's Q system
Q = RQD/Jn x Jr/Ja x Jw/SRF
Rock Class
Design
'Q' Jr
Pressure
t/m2
Bolt
Spacing
in m
Shotcrete
in mm
Bolt
Capacity t
Design
Spacing in
m
Design
Load t
Good (10-40) 10 1.5 6.19 2.3 100 32.74 1.4 12.13
Fair (4-10) 4 1.5 8.40 2.1 100 37.04 1.2 12.10
Poor (1-4) 1 1.5 13.33 1.7 100 38.53 1 13.33
V. Poor (0.1-1) 0.1 1.5 28.73 1.3 100 48.55 1 28.73
Displacement Vectors with Actual Joint Spacing without Support System
Displacement Vectors with Actual Joint Spacing with Support System
Axial Forces in Shotcrete
Bending Moment in Shotcrete
Displacement Vectors with out Shotcrete and with Rock Bolts
Displacement Vectors without Supports in Station Area
Displacement Vectors with Supports in Station Area
Three Dimensional Model of Portal Area
Displacement Vectors over Cross section at CH 415 without Supports
Displacement Vectors over Cross section at CH 415 with Supports
Critical Failure surface and Factor of Safety Value without Supports
Critical Failure surface and Factor of Safety Value with Supports
Summary of 2D Stress Analysis Results for Poor Rock for Cave Station Area

Parameter
Without
Supports
With Supports
Displacement mm 213 46
Joint Slip mm 178 37
Shear Force on Shotcrete in tons - 10.8
Axial Force on Shotcrete in tons - 51
Bending Moment in ton-meter - 1.2
Bolt Load in tons - 21.4
Summary of 2D Stress Analysis Results for Poor Rock for Cave Station Area with Aux Room

Parameter
Without
Supports
With Supports
Displacement mm 255 59
Joint Slip mm 244 44
Shear Force on Shotcrete in tons - 6.6
Axial Force on Shotcrete in tons - 35
Bending Moment in ton-meter - 1.1
Bolt Load in tons - 22
Summary & Conclusions
Support systems were estimated based on NGI Q for
different Classes of Rock Mass
The designed support system performed well in the
already excavated portion of the tunnel
The proposed support system in each of the case
investigated could control the deformations, indicating
that the supports provide a stable mechanism
A 25mm diameter 3.0m long rock bolts and 100mm
shotcrete were suggested for cave station area.
Rock bolt alone with out shotcrete can not control the rock
mass deformations.