scholarly journals Evaluation on the TBM Performance at a Hydropower Project in Ecuador

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Krishna Kanta Panthi ◽  
Jhonny Encalada

The aim of this manuscript is to discuss the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) performance along the recently constructed headrace tunnel of Minas-San Francisco Hydropower Project in Ecuador. Firstly, the manuscript briefly describes the importance of TBM tunneling and about the Minas-San HPP. Further, discussions are made on the engineering geological conditions along the headrace tunnel. Detailed evaluations are made on the performance of TBM tunneling considering influence of rock mass quality on the TBM penetration rate. The manuscript emphasizes that the knowledge of the rock mass quality parameters and cutter technology available at present are among the key factors that influence the estimation of the net penetration rate of the TBM. It has been demonstrated that the hard to very hard rock masses of high abrasivity that were encountered along the headrace tunnel alignment caused very low penetration giving slow progress, which was not predicted during planning phase design. The authors investigated a fairly good link between TBM penetration and the mechanical strength of the rock mass.

2021 ◽  
Vol 325 ◽  
pp. 05001
Author(s):  
Zekrinaldi ◽  
Ferian Anggara ◽  
Hendy Setiawan

This research has examined the rock mass quality case study in the Tiga Dihaji Dam’s diversion tunnel. Observations of geological conditions were carried out on the surface and subsurface of the study site and show that the study area consists of tuffaceous sandstone and carbonate interbeds. The method of this study is based on the classification of the Geological Strength Index (GSI), Rock Mass Rating (RMR), and the Q-system. The results indicate that tuffaceous sandstone has a GSI value of 15 - 87.5 (very poor - very good), RMR 48 - 82 (fair - very good), and Q-system 0.01 – 60.0 (exceptionally poor - very good). Meanwhile, carbonate interbeds have a low value, with a GSI value of 10.5 - 77.5 (very poor to very good), RMR 17.0 – 56.0 (very - poor fair), and Q-system 0 - 35.2 (exceptionally poor - good). Moreover, a correlation was made between rock mass quality for conditions in the study area. The correlation between GSI and RMR was obtained by the equation GSI = 2.2885RMR 82.567 (R2 = 0.6653), RMR and Q-system RMR = 2.0175ln(Q) + 63.061 (R2 = 0.4987), and GSI and Q-system GSI = 7.2119ln(Q) 54.578 (R2 = 0.8095).


1970 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 18-26
Author(s):  
Kiran K. Shrestha ◽  
Krishna K Panthi

The history of hydropower development in the Himalaya indicates that many tunnels have suffered from cost over- runs and delays. These issues are directly dependent on the quality of rock mass and the permanent rock support applied in underground excavation. Right judgment and proper evaluation of the self supporting capability of the rock mass and the use of optimum rock support systems help considerably in reducing construction cost and delays. This paper examines such issues as geological conditions in the Himalayas and varying approaches and costs in tunnel construction. An assessment is made regarding the exclusion of permanent concrete lining in the headrace tunnel of the 72MW Middle Marsyangdi Hydroelectric Project in Nepal. The project has 5.2 km fully concrete lined headrace tunnel that passes through fair to poor rock mass. The evaluation is based on the use of actually recorded rock mass quality of the headrace tunnel during construction and rock support principle used at the comparable Khimti Hydro Project headrace tunnel. The evaluation includes calculation of equivalent tunnel section for similar headloss, stability analysis, assessment of possible water leakage, and required injection grouting measures. We conclude that the headrace tunnel without permanent concrete lining was possible and would have been equally stable, at considerable fnancial savings.Key words: Equivalent tunnel section; Squeezing; Tunnel lining; Stability analysis; Leakage control; Hydropower; NepalDOI: 10.3126/hn.v6i0.4188Hydro Nepal Vol 6, January 2010Page : 18-26Uploaded Date: 23 January, 2011


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 10096
Author(s):  
Yangkyun Kim ◽  
Sean Seungwon Lee

This paper analyses the construction time and advance rate of a 3 km long drill and blast tunnel under various geological conditions using an upgraded NTNU drill and blast prediction model. The analysis was carried out for the five types of Korean tunnel supports according to the rock mass quality (from Type 1, meaning a very good rock mass quality; to Type 5, meaning a very poor rock mass quality). Four kinds of rock properties, as well as the rock mass quality, for each tunnel support type were applied to simulate different geological conditions based on previous studies and the NTNU model. The construction time was classified into five categories: basic, standard, gross, tunnel and total, according to the operation characteristics to more effectively analyse the time. In addition, to consider the actual geological conditions in tunnelling, the construction times for the three mixed geological cases were analysed. It was found that total construction time of a tunnel covering all the operations and site preparations with a very poor rock mass quality was more than twice that of a tunnel with a very good rock mass quality for the same tunnel length. It is thought that this study can be a useful approach to estimating the construction time and advance rate in the planning or design stage of a drill and blast tunnel.


2012 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 6-11
Author(s):  
Krishna Kanta Panthi

Rock mass is a heterogeneous media and the quality of the rock mass may change within a very short distance. As a result, on many occasions considerable discrepancies (variations) have been found between the predicted and actual rock mass conditions along the tunnel alignment, resulting in signifi cant cost and time overruns. Finding innovative solutions for quantifying the quality of rock mass and assessing the risk of discrepancies are, therefore, key issues for cost effective and optimum tunneling solutions in the Himalayan region.In this paper, a probabilistic approach of uncertainty analysis has been proposed to evaluate the quality of rock mass based on the Q-system of rock mass classifi cation. Mapped rock mass quality data from the Modi headrace tunnel from Nepal have been used as a case study. The degree of correlation between the simulated results achieved by a probabilistic assessment using @Risk and values actually measured in the tunnel have been discussed. It is concluded that the probabilistic approach can be used as a tool in predicting rock mass quality and assessing risk in tunneling projects.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hn.v11i0.7154 Hydro Nepal Vol.11 2011 pp.6-11


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Andy Erwin Wijaya ◽  
Dwikorita Karnawati ◽  
Srijono Srijono ◽  
Wahyu Wilopo

Limestone mining needs a good mine design which is safe for the environment. Mine design is determined by the rock mass quality. The rock mass quality in each mine location is not necessary the same depending on the geological conditions. The research area is located in limestone quarry of Sale District, Rembang Regency, Center Java Province-Indonesia. In the limestone quarry area, there is cavity zone which consists of cavity limestone layer at the wall of quarry bench. This cavity layer in limestone quarry has occurred by solution process. The cavity layer zone is a potentially weak zone which has caused bench failures in the limestone quarry area. The objective of this research is to analyze the rock mass quality in the cavity limestone layer using Geological Strength Index (GSI) system. Final result of the research is a rock mass characterization, specifically for cavity limestone layer. Keywords: geological strength index, limestone, cavity layer


2021 ◽  
Vol 325 ◽  
pp. 02009
Author(s):  
Doni Apriadi Putera ◽  
Heru Hendrayana ◽  
Hendy Setiawan

Research on the classification of rock mass quality in the intake tunnel Jlantah dam has not been carried out in detail because the research focuses on the location of the main dam so that empirical excavation methods and support systems have not been carried out. The rock mass quality will be used as a parameter in determining the excavation method and tunnel support system that will be used in the Jlantah Dam intake tunnel. The investigation was carried out through engineering geological mapping, core drill evaluation, and supported by laboratory test data based on the Rock Mass Rating (RMR) and Q-system rock mass classification. The rock mass at the research location based on the RMR classification is in class IV (poor rock). Based on the Q-system method, a very poor rock class is obtained. Based on the analysis of the RMR and Q-system methods, the suitable support system for engineering geological conditions such as the intake tunnel of the Jlantah Dam is shotcrete 10 cm thick, steel set with a distance of 1.5 m and rockbolt length of 1.6 m with a distance of 1.5 m. The proper excavation method for the tunnel intake is top heading and bench.


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