TUNNELLING

ADVANTAGES OF A TUNNEL
• Shortest route
• Less fuel consumption, wear and tear
• All weather friendly
• It is very useful where bridge fail to fulfill
requirments like in sea, in urban area,
and in mountains.
• Efficient compared to bridges.
• In war time it is much difficult to destroy a
tunnel but destruction of bridge is too
easy.
• Lots of land and time is saved.
DISADVANTAGES OF A TUNNEL
• High initial cost of construction
• More time needed for construction
• Special care for health and safety
• Specialized machinery and staff
Types of tunnel
• According to alignment
• According to purpose
• According to shape
• According to type of material met with in the
construction (Strata)
Types of tunnel – according to
alignment
Off-spur – When minor local
obstacles are present

Saddle – in the valley along

natural slope (less than ruling
gradient)

Slope – Steep hills for

economical and safe
operations

Spiral – loops in the interior

of the mountain to avoid
steep slopes
 Types of tunnel – according to
purpose
• Conveyance tunnel
• Sewer tunnel
• Water supply tunnel
• Hydro-Electric Power Tunnel
• Traffic tunnel
• Highway
• Railway
• Pedestrian
• Navigation
• Subway
Types of tunnel – according to
shape
Setting out of tunnel
• Marking the centre line or alignment of any
construction work on ground
• Straight line alignment is economical and suitable

• Stages
• Setting out tunnel on ground surface
• Transfer of centre line from surface to
underground
• Shafts are constructed at 500 m intervals
• Underground setting out
• Underground levelling
Excavation
• Important step in tunnel construction work
• Method and equipment selected depends on nature
of soil
• Drilling of holes
• Percussion drills
• Abrasion drills
• Fusion piercing
• Special drills
Blasting
• Types of explosives
• Straight dynamites
• Ammonia dynamites
• Ammonia gelatin
• Semi-gelatin
• Blasting agents
• Slurries or water gel explosives
Temporary support
• Freshly excavated / blasted surface may require
temporary supports
• Independent of permanent lining
• Can be used as formwork for permanent lining
• Safety of construction/ workers / equipment etc.
Permanent support
• Grouting , permanent lining
• Rock bolting (locking a surface retaining element)
• Bearing plates

Ventilation – To supply fresh air, remove gases,

remove dusts, and to reduce the temperature
• Temporary ventilation
• Permanent ventilation
Muck Removal
• Removal of the blasted debris from construction site
to outside

Supplementary operations
• Checking the soundness of freshly cut surface
• Contour Trimming – shaping of tunnel
• Sealing of cracks / weak zones
Requirements of a tunnel
• Ventilation – Natural & Mechanical (Blowing,
Exhausting, Combination of both)
• Lighting – Artificial lighting
• Drainage – Pre-drainage, Dewatering,
Permanent Drainage
• Communication – Communication lines
• Fire protection – ventilation and fire protection
equipment
• Safety