Comparison of Actual Ground Settlements in Tunnelling Excavation to Model Predictions
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Acta Polytechnica 58(1):47–56, 2018 © Czech Technical University in Prague, 2018 doi:10.14311/AP.2018.58.0047 available online at http://ojs.cvut.cz/ojs/index.php/ap COMPARISON OF ACTUAL GROUND SETTLEMENTS IN TUNNELLING EXCAVATION TO MODEL PREDICTIONS Alexandra Saplachidia,∗, Emmanouil Vougioukasb a National Technical University of Athens (Ntua), 9 Georgiou Pop, Neo Psychiko, Athens, Greece b National Technical University of Athens (Ntua), 5 Iroon Polytechniou, Zografou, Athens, Greece ∗ corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract. It has been discovered that the underground structures are vulnerable to seismic phenomena mainly due to permanent ground deformations caused by earthquakes rather than the dynamic seismic movement itself. Several models (empirical formulae) have been developed to estimate such deformations. In this paper, measured settlements from the tunnelling excavation for the extension of Line 3 of the Athens Metro (from Egaleo station to Chaidari) are used for the verification and calibration of such formulae. Firstly, some general information is presented concerning the progress of Line 3 so far. Typical buildings, infrastructure and utility grids that can affect the design and construction of the tunnel are examined. Typical geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical conditions along the axis of the excavation, as specified by laboratory tests, are presented as well. According to these conditions, ground settlements are predicted along the tunnel. Secondly, a comparison is made of the actual values of the ground settlements, which come from geotechnical and structured observations, and the estimates provided by the empirical formulae. Some improvements are proposed for this formulae through the RS2 software program (Phase 2 v.9.0) by Rocsience. The improved model is then used to estimate strains that could be induced by future earthquakes. Keywords: lifelines; tunnel excavations; ground settlements; data monitoring; finite element method. 1. Introduction combination with fibre or welded-wire fabric reinforce- The geotechnical and geomechanical characteristics of ment, lattice girders and ground reinforcement. the soil as well as the existence of groundwater in the Through this Metro extension to one more area of subsoil can affect the tunnelling excavation. One of the Western Suburbs of the Attica region, ATTIKO the major case studies concerning excessive ground METRO S.A. provides the optimum possible trans- surface settlements during tunnelling is the extension portation services to the involved Municipalities, offers of Line 3 of the Metro tunnel construction in Athens. fast and safe transportation, and actually upgrades The construction of Line 3 commenced in November these areas. 1992. The first seven stations of the Line in the Syntagma–Ethniki Amyna section were opened to the public in January 2000, while the last section of the Base Project, Syntagma–Monastiraki section comprising 1.4 km of tunnels and one station, was commissioned in April 2003. 2. Description of the project The extension from Egaleo to Chaidari is the first section of the extension of Line 3 of the Athens Metro In this study, a tunnel section from the Alsos Well (Figure 1). It includes the tunnelling of the double and (CH0+000) to the Iroon Politechniou Well (CH0+500) triple line of the length of 1.31 km using conventional was considered. For the selection of the route, the mechanical means. The method of excavation used buildings, infrastructures and social utility networks was the NATM. were included in order to reduce all possible risks The NATM first came to prominence in the 1960s, for the project. Along the engraving, up to the point and helped to revolutionize the tunnelling industry. CH0+200, the tunnel passes under a one (1) one storey The main principle behind NATM that differs from building, two (2) two storey buildings, two (2) three other tunnelling methods is that it uses the inherent storey buildings and a gas station. geological strength available in the surrounding rock mass to stabilize the tunnel, therefore, lowering the In the rest of the section, it passes underneath the costs. The optimal method of support is determined Iera Odos Avenue. As it can be seen from the utility based on actual observed ground conditions. The grids, four (4) wells and a putrefactive cesspool were initial ground support is provided by shotcrete in a detected (Figure 2). 47 Alexandra Saplachidi, Emmanouil Vougioukas Acta Polytechnica Figure 1. Western extension Egaleo-Chaidari of Line 3 of the Athens Metro. The area of interest marked by the red line. 3. The geological and • Section A: From CH0+000 to CH0+120. In this geotechnical conditions section, the hosted formation is the Athenian Schists of the upper and lower horizons. The ground surface of the project ranges from +43 m to +43.5 m, whereas the absolute The geological bedrock mainly consists of the Athe- altitude of the centre line ranges from +14.7 m to nian Schists formation. The Athenian Schist series +16.5 m, and the upper level of the aquifer ranges extending at the two edges of the extension of the from +37 m to +39.4 m. Athens Metro. This formation is intensively hetero- • Section B: From CH0+120 to CH0+180. The tran- geneous and metamorphic and contains granites and sition between the Athenian Schists (upper horizon) metasiltstones on the upper horizon and graywatches and the Neogene formation is visible. The ground and shale schists on the lower one. surface ranges from +42.5 m to +43 m, whereas Up to this formation, postalpine sediments of the the absolute altitude of the center line goes from Neogene have been deposited, which include mostly +16.5 m to +18.7 m. The upper level of the aquifer marl and madstones on the upper horizon and carbon ranges from +38 m to +38.7 m. siltstones, sandstones and conglomerates on the lower • Section C: From CH0+180 to CH0+500. In the one. Quaternary deposits, lacustrine-lacustrine terres- last part of the study area, the hosted formation is trial, have been deposited on the Neogene deposits or the upper horizons of the Neogene deposits. The on the Athenian Schists in positions without posts of ground surface ranges from +42.5 m to +56.5 m, great erosion of the Neogene cover [9]. whereas the absolute altitude of the centre line goes The evaluation of the results of the geotechnical from +18.5 m to +38.8 m. The upper level of the research, is conducted during the phase of the final aquifer ranges from +39.7 m to +50 m. study as well as the application study, which included thirty-eight (38) drillings and numerous on-spot lab- oratory tests. The geological-geotechnical grade line 4. Geotechnical planning prediction of the project was drafted, as illustrated in Initially, through the classification of the formations, Figure 3, including the basic geotechnical sections in which was done by the laboratory tests the geotech- the project area. According to the grade line along nical design parameters were defined. The results of the engraving of the tunnel, the following formations the tests show that the formation were distinguished are met. into the following categories: grand surface with low 48 vol. 58 no. 1/2018 Ground Settlements in Tunnelling Excavation Figure 2. Plan view of the alignment of Egaleo-Chaidari extension of Line 3. Scope γ c0 ϕ0 E Scope γ c0 ϕ0 E (kN/m3) (kPa) (°) (MPa) (kN/m3) (kPa) (°) (MPa) Rock C in the 21 0 38 40 Rock C in the 21 0 38 40 excavation face 23 70 38 800 excavation face 23 60 36 1200 Rock D in the 21 0 38 40 Rock D in the 21 0 38 40 excavation face 23 50 35 500 excavation face 23 50 35 750 Rock E in the 21 0 38 40 Rock E in the 21 0 38 40 excavation face 23 40 30 350 excavation face 23 45 32 450 Soft Rock in the 21 0 38 40 Soft Rock in the 21 0 38 40 excavation face 22 35 28 250 excavation face 23 35 32 300 Table 1. Athenian Schists – Section A, Geotechnical Table 2. Neogene – Section B, Geotechnical Design Design Parameters [3]. Parameters [4]. geotechnical characteristics, dry ground, and hard zero in the walls because of the drainage holes. ground with better geotechnical characteristics. The The rate of the strength parameters and deformabil- geomechanics classification of the rocky formations ity of the formations used for the numerical analyses was based on the Geological Strength Index (GSI) of of the tunnelling excavation method. The Geotechni- the rock. cal Design Parameters are presented in the following The specification of the geotechnical design param- Tables 1 and 2 for the Athenian Schists and Neogene eters was completed by the assessment of the results correspondingly. in-situ and laboratory tests, in order to classificate the rock mass (GSI indicator) and estimate the empirical 5. Theoretical predictions correlations. Analyses were conducted using active soil parameters in drained conditions. Due to the low of settlements permeability of the formations, it can be assumed that Specifying the intensive sizes of the temporary invest- the stress-pore pressures remain unchanged in a short ment and predicting the convergence of the tunnel distance around the tunnel and equal to the initial and the surface settlements was done by numerical hydrostatic pressure. The stress-pore pressures are analyses of the opening of the tunnel that were per- 49 Alexandra Saplachidi, Emmanouil Vougioukas Acta Polytechnica Figure 3. Foreseen geological-geotechnical cross-section of the project [3]. Sensitive building Other types Streets, pavements or construction of buildings or utility networks Total settlement 20 mm 25 mm 30 mm Angle deformation 1/800 1/600 1/600 Horizontal deformation 0.15 % 0.25 % 0.30 % Table 3.