Exercise 2: On Rock mechanics and tunneling techniques

Q2. A rock mass has three joint sets, each spaced at 15 cm. The joints are rough
and the joint profile is almost planar. The joint surface of critical joints is altered
with a sandy clay coating. The rock mass is moist only. The plan is to design a
road tunnel of 9 m diameter at a depth of 350 m.

(a). Find out the ground condition likely to be encountered. If it is a

squeezing condition, what would be the safe depth to avoid the squeezing
condition?

(b). Also estimate the support pressure and the supports to be used.
 Answer:
Each joint set of the three joint sets has a joint spacing of 15 cm (joint
frequencies = 6 joints per meter). Therefore, volumetric joint count (Jv) = 6* 3
=18 (Eq. 4.3). Using volumetric joint, RQD = 115- 3.3 Jv =55%. Jn = 9 (three joint
sets); Jr = 1.5 (rough planar); Ja = 3.0 (sandy clay coating); Jw = 1.0 (moist only);
SRF = 1.0 (competent rock, medium stress); and for a road tunnel, ESR = 1.0.
Using Eq. (8.1b), Q = 3.05 (approximately) 3.00. Using Eq. (8.2), vertical support
pressure = 0.092 MPa; since SRF = 1, therefore, rock mass number N = Q = 3.0.
The support pressure obtained using rock mass number, tunnel depth, and tunnel size
in squeezing ground condition is almost two times that obtained from Barton’s
approach.
The difference may occur because of (1) incorrect estimation of the SRF rating, and
(2) the effect of tunnel size in squeezing conditions.

In a mild squeezing condition (Table 9.3 and 1–2% normalized tunnel deformation),
SRF should be 5.0 (Table 8.6). With this SRF, Q=3.0/5 = 0.6. Accordingly, the vertical
support pressure using Eq. (8.2) is 0.16 MPa, which is almost equal to the support
pressure previously obtained from Eq. (9.10). Accordingly, the supports are designed
using Figure 8.5 for Q= 0.6 and equivalent dimension = 9/1 = 9. The supports, thus
obtained, are 10 cm thick SFRS with 3.5 m long rock bolts at 1.6 m center to center
(support category 6).
RQD
Jv = volumetric joint count per m3