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Significance of Geological Parameters for Predicting Water Inflow in Hard Rock Tunnels

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Abstract

One of the most challenging aspects of tunnelling is prognostication of water inflows. More reliable prediction of groundwater inflow may give considerable economical saving for future tunnel projects and may also prevent damage of environment and installations on the surface. This paper is discussing the significance of eight hypotheses regarding geological parameters for predicting water inflow in tunnels. The respective hypotheses have been tested as part of a recent research project in Norway. Six Norwegian tunnels with different geological conditions were selected for the research; the Romeriksporten, Frøya, T-baneringen, Lunner, Skaugum, and Storsand tunnels. Based on detailed study of these tunnels, the hypotheses are tested by comparing water inflow with geological parameters and factors such as Q value, faulting, rock stress orientation, rock cover, thickness of permeable soil or depth of lake/sea above the tunnel, rock type, and width of weakness zones. It is found that four out of the eight tested hypotheses are supported, two have low to medium support and two are not supported. One unexpected result is that for the tunnels covered by this study, the water inflow was found to increase with rock cover.

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Acknowledgments

This paper is based on PhD-research carried out at NTNU, Department of Geology and Mineral Resources Engineering at NTNU by the by the first author of this paper with the second author as supervisor. The PhD-project was financed mainly by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. In addition, the research programme “Tunnels for the citizens” and the Geological Survey of Norway have supported field work connected to this project. The financial and scientific support from these parties is greatly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SINTEF Building and Infrastructure, P. O. Box 4760 Sluppen, 7465, Trondheim, Norway

    K. H. Holmøy

  2. Department of Geology and Mineral Resources Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Sem Sælands veg 1, 7491, Trondheim, Norway

    B. Nilsen

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  1. K. H. Holmøy
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  2. B. Nilsen
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Correspondence to K. H. Holmøy.

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Holmøy, K.H., Nilsen, B. Significance of Geological Parameters for Predicting Water Inflow in Hard Rock Tunnels. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47, 853–868 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0384-9

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