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ENHANCING THE RESILIENCE OF WATER AND ROAD TUNNELS WITH A FOCUS ON THE WELLINGTON REGION Eleni Gkeli, Senior Engineering Geologist, Team Leader, Opus International Consultants, Wellington David Stewart, Senior Engineering Geologist, Opus International Consultants, Wellington Pathmanathan Brabhaharan, National Technical Director (Geotechnical), Opus International Consultants, Wellington The Wellington region has a number of water and road tunnels, to convey critical lifeline utilities. The often aging tunnels are designed to lower standards and are subject to deterioration, hence require monitoring and maintenance to ensure operational integrity and resilience to earthquake and other hazard events. Authorities in the Wellington region and elsewhere, have been supported by Opus International Consultants (Opus) in managing the risk, through periodic inspections to identify key vulnerabilities, prioritisation and intervention. Best practice investigation and strengthening techniques were applied to ensure resilience and cost effectiveness. The paper presents case histories that highlight the value of geotechnical inspections in understanding risks, and how these influenced mitigation solutions. Case histories include the retrofit works of the 3.5 km long Orongorongo water tunnel, the strengthening of the concrete lining of Carey’s Gully stormwater tunnel at the Southern Landfill, the risk assessment of the Westport Water Supply Tunnels and the seismic strengthening of the Hataitai Bus and Mount Victoria road tunnel portals. Management of the safety risks during inspection, investigation and construction is also discussed. Keywords: tunnel, risk, lifeline services, lifeline routes, resilience, maintenance, strengthening Introduction seismicity. The risks in the tunnels relate to both challenging rock conditions and The Wellington Region is characterised by seismicity as a result, maintenance and rugged terrain. Urban infrastructure upgrading strategies should address both development on this terrain often requires issues. A number of case studies are important lifeline services, such as water presented in this paper, for tunnels managed supply pipelines and major transportation by a variety of authorities. For the locations of routes to be conveyed through tunnels. the tunnels in the Wellington Region, see Considering that most of these tunnels were Figure 1. constructed in the beginning of the last century, regular maintenance and upgrade are key elements to extend their operational lives and enhance resilience in earthquake and other hazard events. Wellington Region is primarily underlain by a Hataitai Bus rock complex commonly known as Wellington Tunnel Greywacke, consisting of sandstone, Carey’s Gully mudstone (argillite) and localised volcanic Tunnel rocks. The rocks are metamorphosed, highly Wainuiomat deformed and variably weathered, often with high degree of fracturing and shearing (Begg Wellington et al., 2000). Further, the Wellington Region is among the most seismically active areas in Mount Victoria Orongorongo New Zealand. The active faults located within Tunnel Tunnel the Wellington Region, such as the Ohariu, the Wellington and the Wairarapa faults, as well as the proximity to the subduction zone Figure 1: Location of tunnels in Wellington are the main contributors to the high Region Some of the tunnels have been previously uncontrolled water seepages at various discussed by Stewart (2008). locations. Regular inspections allowed recording of the most adverse locations and Orongorongo Water Supply Tunnel – monitoring their evolution over time. Wellington Water Ltd. Recommendations for remedial works were presented for consideration by GWRC. The Orongorongo tunnel was constructed in the 1920’s. It carries a 700 mm diameter water supply pipeline from the Orongorongo River to the catchment upstream of the Wainuiomata Water Treatment Plant. The tunnel was previously operated and managed by Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and currently by Wellington Water Ltd. The tunnel is 3.2 km long, 2.0 m high and 2.0 m wide and is excavated in Wellington Greywacke. About 50% of its length is concrete lined, while the rest is unlined (see Figure 2). Figure 3: Jigger used for staff access in Orongorongo tunnel In 2013, GWRC secured the required funding, and carried out considerable stabilisation and maintenance works in the tunnel. Opus designed the stabilisation measures and supported GWRC in the tendering and construction phases. The stabilisation works were carried out at the areas of highest risk identified in the previous Opus inspections (2005 to 2012) and at additional locations identified during Figure 2: General view of the Orongorongo construction. The areas of highest risk were Tunnel selected for stabilisation, based on experience of the tunnel behaviour through Opus has provided regular geotechnical the years, practical observation during inspections and subsequent assessments of construction and available funds. risks in the tunnel since 1997 when the water pipe was constructed. The inspections occur The risks previously identified in the tunnel every two to three years and are also part of were addressed through the stabilisation / the safety requirements for the small gauge maintenance works shown in Table 1. With railway line that goes through the tunnel to the completion of the stabilisation works, the allow jigger access for staff (Figure 3). risk of rock fall and roof / lining collapses in the tunnel is lower. Some residual risks The main geotechnical risks identified in the remain in the tunnel, and on-going tunnel were rock falls and lining failures of geotechnical inspections are being carried- various volumes (up to 1-2 m3). Factors out, to observe the overall tunnel condition indicating higher degrees of deterioration and and the behaviour of stabilisation measures risk of collapse are localised roof collapses and identify possible new risks. The most and loosening of rock mass in the unlined recent inspection in November 2015, sections; cracks and other damage in the concluded that the tunnel is generally in good concrete lining sections and significant condition. between the lining and the surrounding Table 1: Mitigation measures applied in bedrock, with the potential to impose loading Orongorongo Tunnel on the lining due to either ground convergence or roof collapse. The risk of Identified Risk Applied mitigation collapse of sections with substandard Small rock falls removal of loose concrete lining was considered high and the blocks (scaling) possible consequences are unacceptable for Potential rock falls of scaling where the operation of the landfill and subsequently moderate to appropriate and for the environment. WCC undertook significant size application of spot rock immediate measures to mitigate the risk of bolts to stabilise the collapse, such as re-construction of the roof blocks lining along the highest risk 160 m long Roof collapses localised pattern of section at the downstream end and rock bolts and steel supporting the rest of the tunnel with timber mesh installed on the tunnel roof (Figure 4) braces. WCC also engaged Opus to assess Areas of significant drainage holes the risks along the length of the tunnel and water flows develop options for managing them. Damage to the Sealing of cracks, tunnel lining localised stabilisation with rock bolts and installation of drainage holes Figure 5: A general view of Carey’s Gully Stream Tunnel in 2005 Opus, carried out inspections in 2002, 2004 and 2005 aiming to understand the behaviour Figure 4: Stabilisation of tunnel roof of the tunnel and identify areas of distress, cracking and deformation of the lining that Carey’s Gully Stream Tunnel might indicate a high risk of collapse (Figure 6). Following the assessments of 2002 and Carey’s Gully Tunnel was constructed in the 2004, it was concluded that although there 1990’s to carry the Carey’s Gully stream was no immediate risk of collapse, due to its under the Wellington City Council (WCC) inadequate thickness, the lining was not able Southern Landfill in Happy Valley. The tunnel to carry the anticipated long term static and is 530 m long, fully lined, with a rectangular seismic loadings. Options considered to section 1.8 m wide and 1.6 m high, and was mitigate the risks included: excavated through highly fractured • Installation of a new circular pipe Wellington greywacke (Figure 5). Soon after throughout the substandard section the construction of the tunnel, the risk of • Formation of a new concrete arch along substandard concrete lining was identified. the roof of the tunnel • Grouting of the void between the concrete The lining was of inadequate thickness in lining and the surrounding rock many sections, indicated to be as little as 50 to 75 mm, while voids were suspected • Construction of a new tunnel over the substandard section • Installing beams to support the roof lining Figure 7: Investigation works in Carey’s Gully Tunnel The findings of the investigation indicated Figure 6: An example of a problematic that the wall lining was largely adequate section identified during inspections (>150 mm thick) however the roof lining was thin and unreinforced. The concrete quality As part of the proposed remediation strategy was generally satisfactory and the roof Opus recommended and carried out cavities were small (<0.8 m). The final investigations to better understand the risks solution developed in conjunction with WCC, and refine the mitigation option (Figure 7). involved installation