CVEN9522 Rock Engineering Assignment 2
CVEN9522 TUNNEL DESIGN ASSIGNMENT
You are part of a consortium bidding to design and construct twin 4 km long, three
lane road tunnels in Sydney. The proposed east-west aligned tunnels start at one end
within an open excavation in Ashfield Shale. The depth of the open excavation is
approximately 25 m. The tunnels quickly decline and encounter the underlying
Hawkesbury Sandstone (the Hawkesbury Sandstone starts at a depth of about 35m
below the surface) before coming back up into an open excavation in Ashfield Shale
at the other end. The tunnels reach a maximum depth of approximately 70 m below
the ground surface. In order to place a competitive bid, your team needs to work up a
reasonably robust tunnel design including the tunnelling method and tunnel support.
The open excavation at the portal means that the tunnels in the Ashfield Shale are
expected to be advanced through Class I/II Shale. Nevertheless, a more deeply incised
weathered zone (i.e. Class III Shale) could be possible. The tunnels at depth in the
Hawkesbury are expected to be driven through Class I/II sandstone. Attached tables
provide descriptions of these various materials.
Typical UCS ranges for these materials are: Class I/II sandstone – 20-30MPa, Class
I/II Shale – 10-20MPa, Class III Shale – 1-7MPa.
For the Class I and II Sandstone units
• σv = 0.024H (MPa) where H is the depth in metres below ground surface
• σH ≈ σNS = (1.5 to 2.5) + 2.0σv MPa
• σh ≈ σEW = 0.7σH
For the Class I and II Shale units
• σv = 0.024 H (MPa) where H is the depth in metres below ground surface
• σH ≈ σNS = (0.5 to 1.5) + (1.0 to 2.0)σv MPa
• σh ≈ σEW = 0.7σH (but no less than σv)
In Class IV and V sandstone and Class III, IV and V shale, σH = σh = σv
There is also extensive previous experience and published information on the
expected ground and previously constructed tunnels available for the Sydney
environment, which you can independently access. Include references in your
assignment.
To guide your team’s bid, you are asked to design the permanent support for two key
areas: the shallow tunnels in Ashfield Shale and the deep tunnels in Hawkesbury
Sandstone.
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CVEN9522 Rock Engineering Assignment 2
The tunnels need to be big enough to accommodate the kinematic traffic envelope
which comprises a 1.5 m breakdown lane, three 3.5 m wide traffic lanes and a 1.5 m
walkway. Barriers separating traffic from the walkway are included in these
dimensions. The height of the kinematic traffic envelope is a minimum of 5.3 m. An
additional 2 m height above the kinematic traffic envelope is required for fans, lights,
signs etc.
You will need to work through the following steps to offer a robust tunnel support.
a) Draw a stereonet of the expected geological structures. [Remember
variability in orientation is natural and should be considered]
b) Describe the expected geology and geotechnical conditions along the
tunnel route? This should include cross-sections and long-sections drawn
to scale.
c) What is your tunnelling method of choice? TBM or roadheader
excavation? Give reasons.
d) What are the stresses around one of the tunnels in the Ashfield and one in
the Hawkesbury? What cross sectional shape would best suit this
environment? Give your reasons. Now consider both tunnels. How have
the stresses changed?
e) What ground behaviour types do you expect? What is the controlling
mechanism for tunnel stability in this environment? Your answer should
include your reasoning [Bullet form is acceptable].
f) Calculate the ground reaction curve for one of the tunnels.
g) What rock block sizes / shapes do you expect can be formed during
tunnelling? Draw a block size curve. What are the typical size and the
maximum size?
h) Classify the rock mass according to the RMR and Q systems. Show each
of the parameters that combine to give the RMR and Q values giving
reasons for your selections.
i) What is your rock bolt design? Length, spacing, capacity, type? Give
reasons with calculations showing the bolts have enough capacity.
j) How thick does the shotcrete need to be? [For your answer you can use
either steel reinforced or mesh reinforced shotcrete, but you must show
workings.]
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CVEN9522 Rock Engineering Assignment 2
k) For a section near the portal produce a surface settlement profile. Consider
both tunnels. What buildings strains would you expect? What type of
damage could be associated with these strains? Discuss what can be done
to reduce / mitigate the surface impacts [bullet form is acceptable].
l) What support would you use if a more deeply incised weathered zone is
encountered in the Shale.
m) In about half a page sketch and/or discuss the excavation sequence you
would recommend.
n) Briefly discuss the corrosion issues for the permanent support, which need
to be addressed.
[Use the textbooks and software provided by the course to assist your
assignment.]
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