Overview
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ABSTRACT
This paper deals with the construction techniques for tunnels in connection with the geological, hydrogeological, geotechnical, and environmental conditions.
After reviewing the ground investigations and classifications methods useful for the conception, it describes the techniques available to the constructors, going from the more traditional, but constantly evolving to suit to ever more difficult conditions, to the more recent, highly mechanized with the use of Tunnel Boring Machines.
It also presents the criteria for the choice of construction techniques adapted to the ground behaviour, and finally the tunnels modelling and design aspects with emphasis to sol-structure interaction contribution.
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Read the articleAUTHORS
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Alain GUILLOUX: Geotechnical expert - Société TERRASOL, Paris, France
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Hervé LE BISSONNAIS: Underground Works Expert, Managing Director - Société TERRASOL, Paris, France
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Martin CAHN: Paris delegate Underground structures unit - Société TERRASOL, Paris, France
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Jean Pierre JANIN: Head of Underground Structures Unit - Société TERRASOL, Lyon, France
INTRODUCTION
Tunnelling is one of those construction techniques where the interactions between the various aspects of the Civil Engineering trades are particularly numerous. In addition to a sound knowledge of construction materials and their behavior, of the equipment available or to be "invented", of safety imperatives, both for site personnel and with regard to the environment, of regulations, etc., there is an essential player: the field!
In fact, it's "the terrain" that will guide the project, from the design stage, by adapting alignments and profiles as far as possible to the search for "favorable" geology, right through to the construction site, by adapting construction methods to the actual behavior of the terrain.
The purpose of this article is therefore to present the various tunnel construction methods in relation to geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical conditions (hereinafter referred to as "geological conditions").
The first step, of course, is to describe these geological conditions as accurately as possible, and this is the subject of Chapter 1, which presents the main geological factors that can influence the choice of excavation methods, the specific or at least essential reconnaissance methods for tunnel projects, and finally the usual classifications of soils and rocks used in underground work.
Chapters 2 to 3 will then be devoted to descriptions of the construction techniques themselves, from so-called "traditional" methods to mechanized methods using tunnel boring machines, as well as the ground treatment techniques that often accompany the previous ones in particularly difficult projects. In addition to technology, these descriptions will seek to integrate the geological dimension by explaining how or why such and such methods have been developed in response to specific geological problems.
Chapter 6 then looks in more detail at the choice of construction techniques according to the geological conditions anticipated in the design phase, or actually encountered in the construction phase. Finally, Chapter 7 will present some information on the main categories of calculation and dimensioning methods, and more generally modeling methods, commonly used in tunnel studies.
Tunnel construction calls on a wide range of specialties: multidisciplinarity is essential,
The interaction between geological conditions and construction methods is one of the fundamental challenges of underground projects.
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KEYWORDS
Civil engineering | modelling | geotechnical engineering | building | soil-structure interaction | tunnels
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Bibliography
Standards and norms
CCTG fascicule 69 "Travaux en souterrains" of 20/01/2012 (approved by the decree of May 30, 2012) and its application guide (25/10/2019)
https://www.economie.gouv.fr/daj/fascicule69-cctg-mp-travaux-genie-civil-travaux-en-souterrain
AFTES: The Association...
Directory
Organizations – Federations – Associations (non-exhaustive list)
AFTES: French Tunnel and Underground Space Association
CETU: Center for Tunnel Studies
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