Application of seepage flow models to a drainage project in fractured rock

Summary

Various theoretical approaches are used to model groundwater flow in fractured rock. This paper presents the application of several approaches to the restoration of the drainage of Rofla tunnel, Grisons, Switzerland. In this tunnel it became necessary to take measures against the washing out of calcium carbonates from the tunnel lining cement, because the calcium carbonate clogged up the existing drainage tubes leading to increased rock water pressures on the inside arch of the tunnel. Drainage boreholes were drilled on a section of the tunnel and their influence on the water pressures was monitored. On the basis of the geological survey different seepage flow models were established to reproduce the measured water pressures. The models were then used to predict the future water pressures acting on the tunnel lining after restoration. Thus, the efficacy of the different drainage proposals could be predicted and therefore optimised. Finally, the accuracy of the predictions is discussed and illustrated using the measurements in the test section.