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Tunnelling in tectonic melanges—accommodating the impacts of geomechanical complexities and anisotropic rock mass fabrics

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Abstract

Experiences from the construction of two shallow tunnels through a thrust melange are discussed. It is shown that complex geological environments, such as a rectonic melange zone, require continuous geological and geotechnical characterisation, as well as state of the art monitoring, to comprehend the details of the melange’s internal block/matrix structure and the effects on the excavation. The acquired data are used to determine the appropriate key parameters that sufficiently describe the expected rock mass behaviour. The paper discusses how the evaluation of three-dimensional displacement data, combined with a continuous geological characterisation, allows the optimisation of a tunnel construction in a tectonic melange.

Résumé

Les expériences acquises à partir de deux tunnel peu profond creusés dans des matériaux de surface basale de chevauchement sont présentées. On montre que des environnements géologiques complexes, tels que ceux correspondant à ces surfaces basales de chevauchement, demandent des investigations géologiques et geotechniques en continu ainsi qu’une instrumentation performante pour comprendre la structure de ces matériaux hétérométriques et les effects du creusement. Les donnés obtenues sont utilisées pour définir les paramètres appropriés susceptibles de rendre compte du comportement mécanique de la masse rocheuse. L’article discute comment des mesures tridimensionelles de déplacement combinées avec une caractérisation géologique en continu, permettent de maîtriser la construction d’un tunnel dans ces zones de cisaillement basal en conexte de chevauchement.

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Acknowledgements

The research described in this paper was conducted as part of the research project entitled “Rock mass characterisation of phyllites for tunnelling”. The project is funded by the FWF No. P14767- GEO. The authors wish to thank Prof. R. E. Goodman for his critical review and useful suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Rock Mechanics and Tunneling, Graz University of Technology, Rechbauerstrasse 12, 8010, Graz, Austria

    E. Button & W. Schubert

  2. Institute of Engineering Geology and Applied Mineralogy, Graz University of Technology, Rechbauerstrasse 12, 8010, Graz, Austria

    G. Riedmüller & K. Klima

  3. Exponent Failure Analysis Associates, 149 Commonwealth Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA

    E. Medley

Authors
  1. E. Button
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  2. G. Riedmüller
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  3. W. Schubert
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  4. K. Klima
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  5. E. Medley
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Correspondence to E. Button.

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Button, E., Riedmüller, G., Schubert, W. et al. Tunnelling in tectonic melanges—accommodating the impacts of geomechanical complexities and anisotropic rock mass fabrics. Bull Eng Geol Environ 63, 109–117 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-003-0220-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-003-0220-7

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