Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geotechnical studies and primary support design for a highway tunnel: a case study in Turkey

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to appraise the geotechnical characteristic of the rock masses and to propose the proper support design for the Cankurtaran Tunnel project situated in NE Turkey. The exhaustive engineering geological investigations were done to determine the characteristic of rock masses that primarily consist of volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The tunnel route was divided into 15 segments according to their lithological and structural properties. The rock mass rating (RMR) and Rock Mass Quality Index (Q) systems were used to determine the quality of rock masses and final tunnel lining support. To check the capacity of the suggested support units analytically, the convergence-confinement (CC) technique was applied. The efficiency of the support design, dimensions of the plastic zones and deformations were determined using the 2D and 3D numerical finite element method (FEM) modeling. The empirical support system suggested in this study reduced the total displacement and dimension of the plastic zone.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aydan O, Akagi T, Kawamoto T (1993) The squeezing potential of rocks around tunnels; theory and prediction. Rock Mech Rock Eng 26(2):137–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aydan O, Ulusay R, Kawamoto T (1997) Assessment of rock mass strength for underground excavations, proceedings of the 36th US rock mechanics symposium, New York, pp 777–786

  • Aydan O, Ulusay R, Tokashiki N (2014) A new rock mass quality rating system: rock mass quality rating (RMQR) and its application to the estimation of geomechanical characteristics of rock masses. Rock Mech and Rock Eng 47(4):1255–1276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aydin A, Ozbek A, Acar A (2014) Geomechanical characterization, 3-D optical monitoring and numerical modeling in Kirkgecit-1 tunnel, Turkey. Eng Geol 181:38–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton NR (2002) Some new Q-value correlations to assist in site characterization and tunnel design. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 39:185–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton NR, Lien R, Lunde J (1974) Engineering classification of rock masses for the design of tunnel support. Rock Mech (4):189–239

  • Basarir H (2006) Engineering geological studies and tunnel support design at Sulakyurt dam site, Turkey. Eng Geol 86:225–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basarir H, Ozsan A, Karakus M (2005) Analysis of support requirements for a shallow diversion tunnel at Guledar dam site, Turkey. Eng Geol 81(2):131–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1974) Geomechanics classification of rock masses and its application in tunneling, Proceedings of the Third International Congress on Rock Mechanics, Vol. 1A. International Society of Rock Mechanics, Denver, 27–32

  • Bieniawski ZT (1989) Engineering rock mass classifications. Wiley, New York, p 251

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai M, Kaiser PK, Tasaka Y, Minami M (2007) Determination of residual strength parameters of jointed rock masses using the GSI system. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 4(2):247–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capkinoglu S (1981) Geology of the district between Borcka and Cavuslu (Hopa), MSc. thesis, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey

  • Carranza-Torres C, Engen M (2017) The support characteristic curve for blocked steel sets in the convergence-confinement method of tunnel support design. Tun Und Space Tech 69:233–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carranza-Torres C, Fairhurst C (1999) The elasto-plastic response of underground excavations in rock masses that satisfy the Hoek–Brown failure criterion. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 36(6):777–809

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carranza-Torres C, Fairhurst C (2000) Application of the convergence-confinement method of tunnel design to rock-masses that satisfy the Hoek–Brown failure criterion. Tun. Und. Space Tech. 15(2):187–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curran JH, Hammah RE, Thamer EY (2003) A two dimensional approach for designing tunnel support in weak rock, Proc. 56th Canadian Geotech. Conference, Winnebeg, Monibota

  • Deere DU (1964) Technical description of rock cores for engineering purposed. Rock Mech Rock Eng 1:17–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhawan KR, Singh DN, Gupta ID (2002) 2D and3D finite element analysis of underground openings in an inhomogeneous rock mass. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 39:217–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Genis M, Basarır H, Ozarslan A, Bilir E, Balaban E (2007) Engineering geological appraisal of the rockmasses and preliminary support design, Dorukhan tunnel, Zonguldak, Turkey. Eng Geol 92:14–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurocak Z, Solanki P, Zaman MM (2007) Empirical and numerical analyses of support requirements for a diversion tunnel at the Boztepe dam site, eastern Turkey. Eng Geol 91:194–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guven IH (1993) 1:250000-scaled geology and compilation of the Eastern Pontide. General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) of Turkey, Ankara (unpublished)

  • Hoek E (2007) Practical Rock Engineering, Evert Hoek Consulting Engineer Inc., Vancouver, Canada (Available for download at), https://www.rocscience.com/learning/hoek-s-corner/books

  • Hoek E, Diederichs MS (2006) Empirical estimation of rock mass modulus. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 43:203–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Marinos P (2000) Predicting tunnel squeezing, Tunnels and Tunneling International, Part 1 – November 2000, Part 2–December 2000

  • Hoek E, Kaiser PK, Bawden WF (1995) Support of underground excavations in hard rock. AA Balkema, Rotterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Carranza-Torres C, Corkum B (2002) Hoek-Brown failure criterion-2002 edition. proceedings of NARMS-TAC2002, mining innovation and technology. Toronto, Canada, pp 267–273

    Google Scholar 

  • ISRM (2007) The complete ISRM suggested methods for rock characterization, testing and monitoring: 1974–2006, International Society of Rock Mechanics Turkish National Group, Ankara, Turkey, 628

  • Javadi AA, Snee CPM (2002) Numerical modeling of air losses in compressed air tunneling. Int J Geomech 2(4):399–417

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanik M, Gurocak Z (2018) Importance of numerical analyses for determining support systems in tunneling: a comparative study from the Trabzon-Gumushane tunnel, Turkey. J Afr Earth Sci 143:253–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanik M, Gurocak Z, Alemdag S (2015) A comparison of support systems obtained from the RMR89 and RMR14 by numerical analyses: Macka tunnel project, NE Turkey. J Afr Ear Sci 109:224–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaya A, Sayin A (2017) Engineering geological appraisal and preliminary support design for the Salarha tunnel, Northeast Turkey. Bul Eng Geo Env. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1177-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaya A, Bulut F, Alemdag S, Sayin A (2011) Analysis of support requirements for a tunnel portal in weak rock: a case study in Turkey. Sci Res Ess 6(31):6566–6583

    Google Scholar 

  • Ketin I (1966) Tectonic units of Anatolia. J Gen Direc Min Res Exp, (MTA) 66:23–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Kockar MK, Akgun H (2003) Engineering geological investigations along the Ilıksu tunnels, southern Turkey. Eng Geol 68(3–4):141–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lauffer H (1958) Classification of in-situ rock in tunnel construction. Geology Bauwesen 24:46–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin SY, Hung HH, Yang JP, Yang YB (2017) Seismic analysis of twin tunnels by a finite/infinite element approach. Int. J. Geomech. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000677

  • Lugeon M (1933) Barrages et geologic methods de recherche´ terrasement et un permeabilisation. Litrairedes Universite, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Marinos P, Hoek E, (2000) GSI: a geologically friendly tool for rock mass strength estimation, In: Proceedings of the GeoEng2000 at the international conference on geotechnical and geological engineering, Melbourne, Technomic publishers, Lancaster, 1422–1446

  • Ozdogan MV, Yenice H, Gonen A, Karakus D (2018) Optimal support spacing for steel sets: Omerler underground coal mine in western Turkey. Int. J. Geomech. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozsan A, Basarir H (2003) Support capacity estimation of a diversion tunnel in weak rock. Eng Geol 68:319–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozsan A, Karpuz C (2001) Preliminary support design for Ankara subway extension tunnel. Eng Geol 59(1–2):161–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmström A (1995) RMi-a rock mass characterization system for rock engineering purposes, Ph.D. thesis, University of Oslo, Norway, 400

  • Park KH (2004) Elastic solution for tunneling-induced ground movements in clays. Int. J. Geomech. 4:310–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priest SD, Hudson JA (1976) Discontinuity spacing in rock. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geo Abs 13:135–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quinones-Rozo C (2010) Lugeon test interpretation, revisited, In: Collaborative Management of Integrated Watersheds, 30rd Annual USSD (United States Society on Dams) Conference, US Society on Dams, Denver, CO, USA, 405–414

  • Rabcewicz L (1964) The new Austrian Tunnelling method. Water Power 16:453–457

    Google Scholar 

  • Rocscience Inc (2016a) Dips v7.0 graphical and statistical analysis of orientation data, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, www.rocscience.com

  • Rocscience Inc (2016b) RocData v5.0 rock, soil and discontinuity strength analysis, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, www.rocscience.com

  • Rocscience Inc (2016c) RS3 v1.0 3D finite element analysis for rock and soil, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, www.rocscience.com

  • Rocscience Inc. (2017) RS2 v9.0 finite element analysis for excavations and slopes, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, www.rocscience.com

  • Sari D, Pasamehmetoglu AG (2004) Proposed support design, Kaletepe tunnel, Turkey. Eng Geol 72:201–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheorey PR, Murali MG, Sinha A (2001) Influence of elastic constants on the horizontal in situ stress. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 38(1):1211–1216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sopaci E, Akgun H (2008) Engineering geological investigations and the preliminary support design for the proposed Ordu peripheral highway tunnel, Ordu, Turkey. Eng Geo 96:43–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terzaghi K (1946) Rock defects and loads on tunnel supports, in Proctor, R.V., and White, T.L., eds., Rock tunneling with steel support, Youngstown, Ohio, Commercial Shearing and Stamping Company, 1:17–99

  • TGDH (2013) Specification for highway works (in Turkish), Turkish Ministry of Public Works, General Directorate of Highways, Ankara

  • Trinh QN, Broch E, Lu M (2010) 2D versus 3D modeling for tunneling at a weakness zone, ISRM Regional Symposium-EUROCK 2009, Croatia

  • Ucer S (2006) Comparison of 2D and 3D finite element models of tunnel advance in soft ground: A case study on Bolu tunnels, MSc Thesis, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

  • Wickham GE, Tiedemann HR, Skinner EH (1972) Support determination based on geologic predictions, In: Lane, K.S.A.G., L. A., ed., North American Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference: Chicago, New York: Society of Mining Engineers of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, 43–64

  • Wyllie DC, Mah CW (2004) Rock slope engineering civil and mining, Spon Press, Taylor and Francis e-library

  • Xu Q, Xiao Z, Liu T, Lou T, Song X (2015) Comparison of 2D and 3D prediction models for environmental vibration induced by underground railway with two types of tracks. Comput Geotech 68:169–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yalcin E, Gurocak Z, Ghabchi R, Zaman M (2015) Numerical analysis for a realistic support design: case study of the Komurhan tunnel in eastern Turkey. Int. J. Geomech. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000564

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge to the editor and reviewers for their valuable contribution. Also, thanks to MSc. Geology Engineer Aytuna Sayin from the Turkish General Directorate of Highways (TGDH) for the office work associated with this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, 53100, Rize, Turkey

    Ayberk Kaya

  2. Faculty of Engineering, Department of Geological Engineering, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080, Trabzon, Turkey

    Fikri Bulut

Authors
  1. Ayberk Kaya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fikri Bulut
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ayberk Kaya.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kaya, A., Bulut, F. Geotechnical studies and primary support design for a highway tunnel: a case study in Turkey. Bull Eng Geol Environ 78, 6311–6334 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01529-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01529-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation