Evaluation of the relationship between the collapsed mechanism and excavation method in tunnels excavated in schists

The problems experienced in tunnels excavated under high cover in graphitic schists generally vary according to the squeezing mechanism. During the tunnel excavation, slips occur on the slickenside surfaces in the tunnel face from time to time and collapse occurs. Most of the time, failures in the support systems are observed due to the squeezing mechanism in the long term in the sections whose tunnel excavations have been completed. In addition, if tunnel excavations are carried out from both entrance faces, it is possible to encounter excessive deformations at the junction points of the tunnels. Especially on weak ground, the importance of the distances between the stages increases in the case of opening the tunnels in the form of top heading, bench, and invert gradually. As a tunnel excavation method, excavation in stages directly affects the stability of the tunnel. Within the scope of this study, the collapsed mechanism in the junction area of the tunnels of the T6 tunnel is examined. For this purpose, 3-dimensional numerical analysis are performed with the Flac3d program. Analysis results are compared with site deformation measurements. As a result, an excavation methodology is proposed for the junction area of tunnels in weak ground.

Automated summary

Tunnels excavated under high cover in graphitic schists face various problems depending on the squeezing mechanism. Long-term squeezing mechanisms can cause failures in the support systems, and excavating tunnels simultaneously may result in excessive deformations. The excavation method directly affects the stability of the tunnel.