Have you ever driven your car through the tunnel? Sometimes, it is the most incredible scene when you are super excited. The opposite happens when you hear about a tunnel collapse.
For a moment, you might have heard of the tunnel collapse. But the manufacturing structure of the underground tunnels is so robust that it doesn’t collapse.
Do you want to know why it doesn’t collapse and the exact tunneling process? If yes, this guide is for you. We will talk about the tunneling process and let you understand why it has immense safety.
What is an underground tunnel?
An underground tunnel passes through the rock or mountain with only the entrance and exit. Consider it like a cave that lets vehicles or objects pass through it safely.
Digging up the rock with the proper reinforcement can create the tunnels and make them an unbreakable choice.
Why does an underground not collapse?
There are hundreds of vehicles passing through a single tunnel. For a moment, you might be afraid; what if your tunnel collapses?
The good news is that you don’t have to worry about the strength and collapse risks. It is already an unbeatable passage that becomes safe as:
Careful selection of place
Every place can’t be ideal for the tunnel. All those places that are robust and suitable for tunneling can be shaped into underground tunnels. Such a careful selection ensures there are no damages or collapses.
Proper tunneling shape
The tunnel shape is such that it transfers the pressure to the surroundings. Instead of pressurizing the weak points, equal distribution ensures proper tunneling and better safety. Therefore, the tunnel’s collapse isn’t as easy as you might consider.
Reinforcement
Since the underground tunnels are at risk of collapse, they come with reinforcements.
The addition of the following reinforcement materials makes the tunneling a perfect space.
- Shotcrete
- Steel ribs
- Rock bolts
Advanced techniques and monitoring
Nowadays, you have access to advanced technology for tunneling. Moreover, regular inspections can further save you from collapses. Damage and crack detection have diminished the collapse concerns and provided a perfect platform to build the tunnels.
Tunnel Boring Machines is an outstanding choice for your tunnels and is of excellent strength. Proper testing and suitability are safety factors.
Steps to build an underground tunnel
Building an underground tunnel is nothing less than a marvel. Creating a robust structure that does not give up is quite a fantastic idea. But don’t worry! The proper plans and strategies are lying there to help you create a perfect tunnel that remains there for many decades and even centuries.
Follow the below steps to understand how the underground tunnel can help you.
Step 1: Initial planning and feasibility study
Not every site is ideal for underground tunneling. Earlier assessment and planning can save from future hassles and ensure the exact execution of the results.
Here is much more to target in the initial planning.
- Examination of the rock types with the soil. Determination of whether the soil is suitable for the digging and tunnel creation.
- Why are you creating the tunnel? Defining your goals and targets with the underground tunnel is crucial.
- Localizing the nearby environment can define its impacts. So, think of the environmental impacts based on the local conditions.
- How much is the budget? How much is the duration of the tunneling project?
Step 2: Design and Engineering
You must keep a layout of the tunnel in the brain. An exemplary engineering art is possible only when you have the charts and flow sheets onboard.
As the project owner and planner, you can opt for the following concepts and ideas when tunneling.
- What is the optimal route for tunneling? Check every aspect based on the structural and geological studies.
- Understand and define the shape of the tunnel. Consider if it is circular, horseshoe, or rectangular.
- Do you have any plans for ventilation and drainage of the rainwater? You must have all these factors in the proper tunnel for the expected results.
Step 3: Excavation Method Selection
One of the toughest deals is to manage the excavation and come up with the selection method. There are different types of excavation methods for tunneling.
Consider:
- Drill and Blast. Is there a hard rock where you plan to create the tunnel? It comes with crazy and explosive methods such as drill and blast. They blast and make the space for tunneling.
- Tunnel boring method. Do you have a long tunnel to create? The tedious method of tunneling is the ideal choice in this case.
- Cut and cover. It is an excellent method. Workers first create the tunnel and then cover it.
- Pipe jacking. For the small tunnels, pipe jacking is everyone’s favorite technique.
Step 4: Site Preparation
Site preparation includes the necessary installations. For instance, you are tunneling in a far place. How will you empower the machines and run them? Get the electricity or deploy the generators.
There is much more to prepare in this case. It includes:
- Access tunnels. Building a shaft is a unique idea to access the tunnels. It provides instant access and gives extraordinary results in the tunneling process.
- Utility system. What is your plan to charge your workers? Deploy water systems and food materials for their energy.
- Safety measures. Tunneling requires extraordinary efforts. Going deep through the tunnel can be harmful for the workers. For safety, add barriers or deploy emergency exits.
Step 5: Excavation and Ground Support
Now is the time to make some genuine efforts. Using your favorite method, you can start crafting the first tunnel. Dig out the rock and excavate the material.
Check the ground support and install the walls for stability. Create a proper mechanism for the disposal of the rock and waste material from the surface.
What to do to support the walls and soil? Inject cement. Or add the chemicals. They will make the walls impenetrable and make the tunneling easy and fruit-bearing.
Step 6: Lining and Waterproofing
Lining and waterproofing are extraordinary phenomena. You have to think of every possibility to strengthen the walls of the tunnels.
Here is what you should know.
- Primary lining. First of all, create the first lining. It must be reinforced with materials like shotcrete and steel arches.
- Waterproofing membrane. Add the water seeping as it can damage the wall and compromise its safety. For this purpose, you can install a membrane that doesn’t let the water pass through it.
- Final lining. Now, make the final lining. Construct it with the cement for the structural integrity and ground support.
Step 7: Mechanical and Electrical Installations
Once you have excavated and created a tunnel patch, go with the long tunnel based on your needs.
You should consider:
- The ventilation system provides extraordinary support. You can check the air quality and install the cleaners for this system.
- Lighting system. To glow the whole scene, get a quality lighting system. Ensure it doesn’t require much maintenance; otherwise, you’ll get stuck in maintaining your lighting systems.
- Utility lines. Install many utility tools. For example, cables and pipes can be deployed. Know the extent and feasibility of these systems.
Step 8: Final inspection and monitoring
Do you want to assess the quality of the tunnels you have created? For that purpose, you can determine the following aspects.
- Geotechnical monitoring. Come with the sensors to monitor the ground activity. Are there any risks of collapse? Mitigate it instantly with the right approach.
- Testing. Perform mechanical and structural tests. If there is any problem or risk of collapse, mention it. Also, inspect the tunnel for extended periods to treat any cracks or damages.
- Regular inspection. Don’t forget to add the final touch to the tunnels. Inspect regularly and update if there are any signs of wear or damage. Treat them instantly to avoid any future mishap.
FAQs
- What is an underground tunnel used for?
Many purposes are leading to underground tunneling. They can include:
- Form mining ores and maximizing the efficiency of the mining
- Creating driveways and roads through the areas.
- What are the common types of underground tunnels?
There are various types of underground tunnels. However, we have lifted the cover from the top three.
The list includes:
- Cut-and-cover
- Bored
- Immersed
These are the most famous ones being used in the industry and constantly praised for their next-level performance with ultimate safety experiences.
- What is pilot drift?
Pilot drift is a small tunnel used for excavation and inspection. This tunnel is over the large tunnels and plays a crucial role in assessment.
Conclusion
Underground Tunneling requires extensive machinery that must grab the quality. Moreover, there must be flaws in the techniques. Otherwise, miners can experience a collapse after a few periods. It will also compromise human safety as well.
Do you want the best machinery setup for your underground tunneling process? Rely on Jinan Fucheng hydraulic equipment that is compatible with all types of underground tunneling and has the highest efficiency at the site. Explore the quality designs and prices from the experts now!
