Application of Specific Energy in Evaluation of Geological Conditions Ahead of Tunnel Face

Jiankang Liu, Osamu Sakaguchi, Sodai Ishizu, Hengjie Luan, Wei Han and Yujing Jiang
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Jiankang Liu: College of Energy and Mining Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
Osamu Sakaguchi: Department of Civil Engineering, Konoike Construction Co., Ltd., 3-6-1, Kitakyuhoji-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0057, Japan
Sodai Ishizu: Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
Hengjie Luan: College of Energy and Mining Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
Wei Han: Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
Yujing Jiang: Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: In underground construction, especially tunnel building, a detailed knowledge of the geological conditions ahead of the tunnel face is essential for both safety and efficiency of work. Many tunnel collapses have been reported to occur because of a lack of accurate evaluation of the geological conditions. While conventional horizontal boring conducted from a tunnel face provides good accuracy, it is infrequently conducted due to its high cost and time-consuming nature. In addition, the tunnel seismic reflection method has limited practicality owing to the complexity of data processing. This paper presents a new approach based on the specific energy of the mechanical drilling rig to evaluate the geological conditions ahead of the tunnel face. In order to assess the geological conditions, rock mass quality index, buried depth of the tunnel and tunnel deformation investigation were undertaken, and the obtained data were compared to the specific energy. Results from the comparison reveal the evaluation criterion that if the distribution of specific energy in some areas deviates from the distribution of buried depth, it is considered that abnormal geological conditions exist in this area. This work can greatly contribute to the accurate and effective evaluation of the geological conditions ahead of the tunnel face.

Keywords: specific energy; tunnel building; tunnel face; geological conditions; rock mass quality index; buried depth; tunnel deformation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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