Development of the safety control framework for shield tunneling in close proximity to the operational subway tunnels: case studies in mainland China
IntroductionChina’s largest cities like Beijing and Shanghai have seen a sharp increase in subway network development as a result of the rapid urbanization in the last decade. The cities are still expanding their subway networks now, and many shield tunnels are being or will be constructed in close proximity to the existing operational subway tunnels. The execution plans for the new nearby shield tunnel construction calls for the development of a safety control framework—a set of control standards and best practices to help organizations manage the risks involved.Case description Typical case studies and relevant key technical parameters are presented with a view to presenting the resulting safety control framework. The framework, created through collaboration among the relevant parties, addresses and manages the risks in a systematic way based on actual conditions of each tunnel crossing construction. The framework consists of six parts: (1) inspecting the operational subway tunnels; (2) deciding allowed movements of the existing tunnels and tracks; (3) simulating effects of the shield tunneling on the existing tunnels; (4) doing preparation work; (5) monitoring design and information management; and (6) measures and activation mechanism of the countermeasures. The six components are explained and demonstrated in detail.Discussion and EvaluationIn the end, discussions made involve construction and post-construction settlement of the operational tunnel, application of the remedial grouting to rectify excessive settlements of the operational tunnel, and use of the innovative tool of the optical fiber measurement for tunnel movement monitoring.ConclusionsIt is concluded that the construction movement of the tunnel can be controlled within 15 mm when the shield machine is <7 m in excavation diameter. The post-construction settlement of the tunnel buried in the very soft ground is much greater than its construction settlement, and last several years until reaching a final stable state. Two cases are outlined to demonstrate the feasibility of using the remedial grouting to reduce the long-term settlement of the operational tunnels. The more and more segmental tunnels being constructed, there is an increasing need of the optical fiber measurement for tunnel movement monitoring in the near future.
Study on Key Techniques for Shield Tunnel Passing under Metro Tunnel Closely in Launching Phase
A case of shield tunnel crossing under an operating metro is studied in this paper. The existing tunnel was in operation and the new shield tunnel was close to the existing one. The existing tunnel was closed to launching shaft, so the passing was in launching phase. The earth pressure balance had not yet been reached in the launching phase, and the boring face was unstable. Studies revealed that ground loss and water loss - which can cause the structure a great displacement or even failure - were the biggest threats to the existing tunnel. Therefore, a special outer sleeve which was used for TBM (tunnel boring machine) launching was fixed in the tunnel portal. The TBM can be sealed in launching phase by using the sleeve. At the same time, such countermeasures as ground improvement, adjustment of boring parameters and information feedback construction were employed. The monitored data showed that the countermeasures can effectively reduce the loss of ground and water and ensure safety of the existing tunnel.
Suitability and water quality criteria of an open drainage municipal sewage water at Coimbatore, used for irrigation.
Sanganur canal is the major open drainage system which has intricate linkage with storm water supply, domestic sewage and industrial effluent disposal. Water samples from various stations were collected and analysed for physicochemical parameters to assess the water quality of the Sanganur canal system. The study revealed that physicochemical parameters like pH, EC, TDS, DO, BOD, COD exceeded the permissible limit, clearly indicating the need of proper treatment of waste water before discharge into the Noyyal river.