Section 1: History of Tunneling: H. Fukushima

H.
Fukushima
Section 1: HISTORY OF TUNNELING
In the ancient age, mankind dug tunnel and caves for shelter for protecting dangerous
enemies and/or to store foods that had been gathered with hunting and/or fishing. There
is evidence that Stone Age people sank shaft and drove tunnels in order to obtain flint
for bladed tools (Wahlstrom, 1973). Later, mankind had developed metal tools for
excavation of the underground. Early excavations on metal-bearing ores have been
discovered in Caucasia, near Black Sea, which date back to about 3,500 B.C
(Wahlstrom, 1973). Almost every great civilization, such as Aztec, Inca, Babylonian,
Egyptian, and Persian, had constructed tunnels on the history. The tools used in
tunneling were the tools of age: Bone, antler, flint and wood to early human, bronze, iron,
and steel as civilization advance. Four centuries, tunnel in rock were driven by fires
against the rock face, which would cause expansion and spalling, often accelerated by
dousing the hot rock with water, then picking the fractured rock away with picks and
wedges (Wahlstrom, 1973). Egyptian and Roman mines were worked to depth of
approximately 200 m (Mahtab & Grasso). By the 6th century B.C., it has been estimated
that the advance rate of hand-worked tunnel in hard rock was perhaps 9 m per year
(Bell, 1973).
In primary stage of mining, rare minerals (gold, jewels) are exposed on the ground
surface or find out in the riverbed, and it was not so difficult to collect it. According to the
development of human being, the quantity of rare mineral supplied to the market
became less and mining enterprise had to explore new and rich mine with their own
finance.
Generally mineral ore are hidden in deep underground, and difficult to dig out. Miners
have to challenge to the underground excavation. In accordance with development of
mining engineering, tunnel excavation technology has been developed quickly.
The major purpose of tunnel excavation in mine is to dig out minerals or for exploration
and it is used on a temporary basis to access the minerals. The “main tunnel” used for
transportation has to be kept stable so as to convey the excavated minerals to surface.
Tunnels in mine are mainly excavated in sound rock with no support. However, when
the tunnel have encountered to the unfavorable rock conditions, some types of support
must be installed for the protection of rock collapse. In primary stage of tunneling, timber
support was installed by the skilled labor, and steel rib and lag method was followed
(Fig.I-1a to c). Details about steel support method were introduced by famous
geotechnical engineer Dr. Karl Terzaghi and Procter & White, in the book of “Tunnel
with Steel Support” (1946).
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H. Fukushima
Fig. I-1a Example of Timber Support
(Copied from “the Art of Tunneling”, Szechy, 1966)
Fig. I-1b Example of Timber Support for Stabilizing the Tunnel Face
(Copied from “the Art of Tunneling, Szechy, 1966)
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H. Fukushima
Fig. I-1c Example of Steel Support and Lagging
(Copied from Rock Tunneling with Steel Support, Proctor & White)
Nearly same decade (1957 to 1965), Austrian mining engineer, Prof. Dr. L.V. Rabcewicz
developed new tunneling method and he proposed patent of this tunnel method, named
“New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM)”. Based on the experience in mining tunnel of
great depth, he recognized that the tunnel collapse would happen following manner (Fig
I-2).
To avoid this phenomenon, immediate support installation with thin layer shotcrete and
rock bolt has much advantage than the timber or the steel support.
Prof. L.V. Rabcewicz and his cooperator, Prof. L. Muller and Prof. F. Pacher had mainly
developed NATM. Relation between load acting on the tunnel and displacement of
tunnel wall, called Fenner- Pacher curve, is very useful to explain the NATM theory.
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H. Fukushima
1. Uni-axial Condition of Tunnel Wall

After excavation, stress of rock mass around tunnel wall will
change from tri-axial condition to uni-axial condition, because
existed resistance force is taken away due to excavation.
2. Failure of Crown and Invert. Tension Failure

Then, tension stress concentrate at the crown and invert of tunnel, Zone
and rock failure will gradually increase at the crown and invert,
because tension strength of rock is not so high compared to
compressive strength.
3. Concentration of Compressive Stress.

As the result of tension failure, tension stress at crown and invert
will decrease, and high compressive stress will concentrate at the
sidewall of the tunnel.
4. Split Out of Side Wall

Sidewall of tunnel will split out toward to the inside of tunnel
caused by rupture of rock under high compressive stress.
Sidewall Rupture
5. Development of Loosening Zone

Rock mass above tunnel arch become unstable due to the
reduction of bearing capacity at the foot of arch. Finally
loosening zone of tunnel arch will develop as suggested by K.
Terzaghi.
Tension
Fig. I-2 Image of Collapse of the Unsupported Tunnel
(Original by Rabcewicz and Modified) Compression
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H. Fukushima
In 1978, the “International Symposium for Rock Mechanic” was held in Tokyo, Dr. L.
Muller and many authorities for tunneling had attended to this symposium. At this time,
Japanese National Railway Corporation was challenging the NATM for the tunnel
construction of the “Tohoku Bullet Express Railway Line”, for the purpose of saving
construction cost of tunneling in unfavorable geological conditions.
Three tunnels, which are planned in unfavorable geological conditions, such as highly
weathered granite with thin overburden less than 30 m, were under construction. Many
problems, such as settlement of ground surface, subsidence of steel ribs at the foot of
top heading, local collapse of tunnel face, etc., had happened due to miss
understanding and lack of experience of the NATM.
Dr. L. Muller visited construction site and recommended appropriate technology of the
NATM for such bad geology. After his consultation, Japanese tunnel engineers have
understend the “NATM Theory” and those tunnels had completed successfully.
His theory of the NATM is issued in his book “TUNNEL BAU”. Fundamental ideas and
principals of the “New Austrian Tunnel Method”, written in this book, are introducing
fundamental concept of the NATM.
Fig. I-3 Conceptual Scheme of NATM by Rabcewicz
(Copied from “the Art of Tunneling, Szechy, 1966)
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H.

Section 1: HISTORY OF TUNNELING

Fig. I-1a Example of Timber Support

(Copied from “the Art of Tunneling”, Szechy, 1966)

(Copied from “the Art of Tunneling, Szechy, 1966)

Fig. I-1c Example of Steel Support and Lagging

1. Uni-axial Condition of Tunnel Wall

2. Failure of Crown and Invert. Tension Failure

3. Concentration of Compressive Stress.

4. Split Out of Side Wall

5. Development of Loosening Zone

Fig. I-3 Conceptual Scheme of NATM by Rabcewicz

(Copied from “the Art of Tunneling, Szechy, 1966)

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