Presssure Tunnel

Table of Contents
1. ASSUMPTIONS 3
2. DESIGN CRITERIA, LOAD AND LOAD CASES 5
2.1 General Criteria 5
2.2 Criteria for Confinement 5
3. MAJOR FORMULAS USED 7
List of Figures:
Figure 2-1 : Beam Spring Model used for the interaction of lining and rock (EM 1110-2-2901)........5
Figure 3-1 : Norwegian criterion for confinement............................................................................7
Figure 3-2 : Contour showing section lines to check confinement of pressure tunnel......................7
1. ASSUMPTIONS
The structural calculation of pressure tunnel aims at designing lining against the internal and
external water pressure as well as grouting pressure for the water tightness and limitations of crack
width. Concrete lining shall be designed to provide a durable and smooth interior surface that
protects the rock surface from damage and deterioration, minimizes hydraulic head losses, controls
leakage, maintains a high level of serviceability, and minimizes maintenance during its design life.
Following are the assumptions for the design of pressure tunnel lining.
 The lining and the surrounding rock should have uniform contact which must be ensured by
contact grouting/consolidated grouting so that there is proper transfer of internal water
pressure from lining to the rock mass. The maximum pressure for contact grouting is taken
as 0.4 Mpa.
 The interface between the lining and rock cannot withstand tension. Therefore the design
philosophy adopted for the design, introduces springs having ‘compression only’ properties
as shown in Figure 2 -1. The radial and tangential Spring stiffnesses for unit length of
tunnel lining is worked out based on US Army Corps of Engineers, EM-1110-2-2901 by
using following formula:-
Kr = Er.b.θ / (1+μr)
Kt = Kr / (G.Er) = 0.5 Kr / (1+μr)
Where, Kr and Kt = radial and tangential spring stiffnesses respectively
G = shear modulus
θ = arc subtended by the beam element (radian)
b = length of tunnel element considered
Figure 2-1 : Beam Spring Model used for the interaction of lining and rock (EM 1110-2-2901)
 Because of the fact that the lining is in direct contact with fully grouted surrounding rock,
during earthquake the system will oscillate as a single/homogeneous unit. Thus, there will
not be any dynamic loading on the concrete lining. Due to this, seismic loads are not
considered for the design of lining.
 The temperature difference on either side of the lining is insignificant (as this is an
underground structure) and therefore such loading has not been accounted for the design.
2. DESIGN CRITERIA, LOAD AND LOAD CASES
2.1 GENERAL CRITERIA
The pressure tunnel connects the headrace tunnel and underground surge tank to a steel penstock
tunnel. The design of the pressure tunnel lining is based on following considerations.
 The longitudinal alignment should be below hydraulic grade line.

 Air must not be allowed to enter into the pressure tunnel.
 In case of concrete lined tunnel, the lined concrete should be safe for tensile and bending
forces due to internal pressure and external pressure. Necessary reinforced bars should
be designed.
 In case that permits the surrounding rock to share the portion of the internal pressure for
economic efficiency, the void between concrete or steel liner, and the surrounding rock
should be filled with high pressure grouting.
 In case that the seepage water could leak out to the ground because of insufficient rock
covering depth for withstanding the internal pressure, the water can leak out into the sur-
rounding rock. In this case, the steel liner should be planned.
 Grouting should be considered as an external pressure.
The pressure tunnel is lined with concrete lining. There are a number of factors behind concrete
lining of pressure tunnel. Major reasons behind providing such lining in the pressure tunnel are as
follows:
 Minimize the head losses due to friction in the tunnel.

 Prevent/ limit the seepage flows.
 Prevent the entry of loose rock particles into turbine by preventing erosion and washing out
of joint fillings
 Ensure long term stability of tunnel under varying hydrostatic load.
2.2 CRITERIA FOR CONFINEMENT
The thickness of the surrounding rock of pressure tunnel should be checked using
Norwegian and Snowy Mountain Criteria to account for adequate confinement in case for
unlined (or shotrcrete lined) tunnel. In case the adequacy criteria are not met, then hydro-
fracturing test should be carried out to confirm that the surrounding rock can withstand
internal water pressure.
Adequate confinement refers to the ability of a rock mass to withstand the internal pressure
in a waterway. If the confinement is inadequate, hydraulic jacking may occur. Hydraulic
jacking develops when hydraulic pressure within a jacking surface, such as a joint or a
bedding plane, exceeds the total normal stress acting across the jacking surface. As a
result, the aperture of the jacking surface may increase significantly, yielding an increased
hydraulic conductivity, and therefore increased leakage rates and spreading of the
hydraulic pressure which may lead to hydraulic fracture.
Figure 3-2 : Norwegian criterion for confinement

While assessing the criteria for confinement, the static head (corresponding to operating level
1255.00 m) will be considered based on EPRI Design Guidelines for Pressure Tunnels and
Shafts according to which the duration of dynamic pressure is not long enough to be applied over
an area large enough for hydraulic jacking to occur.
Here, three critical sections has been selected to check the adequacy of rock cover to withstand
the internal water pressure as shown from Figure 3 -3 to Error: Reference source not found. After
careful study of the topography, it is found that the lateral cover is the governing factor rather than
vertical cover. Hence the results of calculations for lateral cover has been presented in Error:
Reference source not found.
Figure 3-3 : Contour showing section lines to check confinement of pressure tunnel
3. MAJOR FORMULAS USED
The major formulas used in the design of Pressure Tunnel lining is listed as below:
1. Radial Spring Stiffness ( Kr)=Er . b . θ/(1+ μr )
2. Tangential Spring Stiffness ( Kt ¿=Kr /(G. Er)=0.5 Kr /(1+ μr )
hs . Yw . F
3. Minimum Rock Cover as per Norwegian criteria=
Yr Cosβ
4. Penstock Length Criteria as per ASCE criteria = 0.25 X H, where H is the Maximum ex-
pected head including water hammer

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Table of Contents

Figure 3-1 : Norwegian criterion for confinement............................................................................7

2.1 GENERAL CRITERIA

 The longitudinal alignment should be below hydraulic grade line.

 Minimize the head losses due to friction in the tunnel.

2.2 CRITERIA FOR CONFINEMENT

Figure 3-2 : Norwegian criterion for confinement

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