SpringerLink
Log in

Laboratory Investigation on Excavation Performance of Foam-conditioned Weathered Granite Soil for EPB Shield Tunnelling

  • Tunnel Engineering
  • Published:
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Aims and scope

Abstract

As weathered granite soils are extensively distributed in the Korean Peninsula, determining the optimal foam conditioning parameters for weathered granite soils can provide a high workability, low permeability, and high compressibility of weathered granite soils for successful operation of an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield tunnel boring machine (TBM). In this study, a laboratory-scale excavation apparatus was developed to conduct various laboratory excavation simulations for measuring the excavation-induced torque and the abrasivity of cutter bits. In addition, slump values, compressibility, and permeability were measured to evaluate the workability of foam-conditioned weathered granite soils. From the experimental results, the optimal foaming conditions for the weathered granite soil was obtained at foam injection ratios (F/Rs) of 60–70%, foam expansion ratios (FERs) of 15–18, and foaming agent concentrations (Cf) of 3–4%. The experimental results presented in this study can provide the rheological, mechanical, and hydraulic behavior of foam-conditioned weathered granite soils for successful EPB TBM operation.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Avunduk E, Copur H, Tolouei S, Tumac D, Balci C, Bilgin N, Shaterpour-Mamaghani A (2021) Possibility of using torvane shear testing device for soil conditioning optimization. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 107:103665, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2020.103665

    Google Scholar 

  • Babendererde S, Hoek E, Marinos P, Cardoso AS (2004) Characterization of granite and the underground construction in metro do Porto, Portugal. Proceedings ISC-2 on Geotechnical and Geophysical Site Characterization, Millpress, Rotterdam 1:39–48

  • Bilgin N, Acun S (2021) The effect of rock weathering and transition zones on the performance of an EPB-TBM in complex geology near Istanbul, Turkey. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 80(4):3041–3052, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02142-4

    Google Scholar 

  • Borio L, Peila D (2010) Study of the permeability of foam conditioned soils with laboratory tests. American Journal of Environmental Sciences 6(4):365–370, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2010.365.370

    Google Scholar 

  • Budach C (2012) Untersuchungen zum erweiterten Einsatz von Erddruckschilden in grobkörnigem Lockergestein. PhD Thesis, University of Bochum, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • Budach C, Thewes M (2015) Application ranges of EPB shields in coarse ground based on laboratory research. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 50:296–304, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2015.08.006

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen Z, Bezuijen A, Fang Y, Wang K, Deng R (2022) Experimental study and field Validation on soil clogging of EPB shields in completely decomposed granite. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 120:104300, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.104300

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen H, Lin S, Li Z, Zhao L, Wei R, Sheng F (2021) Comparing arsenic(V) adsorption by two types of red soil weathered from granite and sandstone in Hunan, China. Environmental Earth Sciences 80(10): 376, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09683-7

    Google Scholar 

  • Dearman WR, Baynes FJ, Irfan TY (1978) Engineering grading of weathered granite. Engineering Geology 12:345–374, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(78)90018-2

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding X, ** EPB-TBM disc cutter wear prediction equations in granite stratum using backpropagation neural network. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 128:104654, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2022.104654

    Google Scholar 

  • EFNARC (2005) Specifications and Guidelines for the use of specialist products for Mechanized Tunnelling (TBM) in Soft Ground and Hard Rock. Recommendation of European Federation of Producers and Contractors of Specialist Products for Structures

  • Filbà M, Salvany JM, Jubany J, Carrasco L (2016) Tunnel boring machine collision with an ancient boulder beach during the excavation of the Barcelona city subway L10 line: A case of adverse geology and resulting engineering solutions. Engineering Geology 200:31–46, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2015.11.010

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu J, Yang J, Zhang X, Klapperich H, Abbas SM (2014) Response of the ground and adjacent buildings due to tunnelling in completely weathered granitic soil. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 43:377–388, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2014.05.022

    Google Scholar 

  • Galli M, Thewes M (2019) Rheological characterisation of foam-conditioned sands in EPB tunneling. International Journal of Civil Engineering 17(1):145–160, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-018-0316-x

    Google Scholar 

  • Hajialilue-Bonab M, Sabetamal H, Katebi H, Ahmadi-Adli M (2008) Experimental study on compressibility behavior of foamed sandy soil. Geotechnical Aspects of Underground Construction in Soft Ground, CRC Press 317}} 1: 2–3322

  • Herrenknecht M, Thewes M, Budach C (2011) The development of earth pressure shields: From the beginning to the present / Entwicklung der Erddruckschilde: Von den Anfängen bis zur Gegenwart. Geomechanics and Tunnelling 4(1):11–35, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/geot.201100003

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirata Y, Chigira M (2019) Landslides associated with spheroidally weathered mantle of granite porphyry induced by 2011 Typhoon Talas in the Kii Peninsula, Japan. Engineering Geology 260:105217, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.105217

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu W, Rostami J (2021) Evaluating rheology of conditioned soil using commercially available surfactants (foam) for simulation of material flow through EPB machine. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 112:103881, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.103881

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu Q, Wang S, Qu T, Xu T, Huang S, Wang H (2020) Effect of hydraulic gradient on the permeability characteristics of foam-conditioned sand for mechanized tunnelling. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 99:103377, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2020.103377

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang S, Wang S, Xu C, Shi Y, Ye F (2019) Effect of grain gradation on the permeability characteristics of coarse-grained soil conditioned with foam for EPB shield tunneling. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 23(11):4662–4674, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-019-0717-7

    Google Scholar 

  • Keum G, Kim Y, Lee K-S, Jeong J (2022) The geochemistry and isotopic compositions of the Nakdong River, Korea: Weathering and anthropogenic effects. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 194(7):487, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10143-3

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim T-H, Kim B-K, Lee K-H, Lee I-M (2019) Soil conditioning of weathered granite soil used for EPB Shield TBM: A laboratory scale study. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 23(4):1829–1838, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-019-1484-1

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim T-H, Lee I-M, Chung H-Y, Park J-J, Ryu Y-M (2021) Application ranges of EPB shield TBM in weathered granite soil: A laboratory scale study. Applied Sciences 11(7):2995, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app11072995

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee H, Kim D-Y, Shin D, Oh J, Choi H (2022) Effect of foam conditioning on performance of EPB shield tunnelling through laboratory excavation test. Transportation Geotechnics 32:100692, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2021.100692

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee I-M, Sung S-G, Cho G-C (2005) Effect of stress state on the unsaturated shear strength of a weathered granite. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 42(2):624–631, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/t04-091

    Google Scholar 

  • Li S, Wan Z, Zhao S, Ma P, Wang M, **ong B (2022) Soil conditioning tests on sandy soil for earth pressure balance shield tunneling and field applications. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 120:104271, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.104271

    Google Scholar 

  • Liao D, Deng Y, Duan X, Cai C, Ding S (2022) Variations in weathering characteristics of soil profiles and response of the Atterberg limits in the granite hilly area of South China. CATENA 215:106325, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2022.106325

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu P, Wang S, Ge L, Thewes M, Yang J, **a Y (2018) Changes of Atterberg limits and electrochemical behaviors of clays with dispersants as conditioning agents for EPB shield tunnelling. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 73:244–251, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2017.12.026

    Google Scholar 

  • Maidl B, Herrenknecht M, Maidl U, Wehrmeyer G (2013) Mechanised shield tunnelling. John Wiley & Sons

  • Maidl B, Schmid L, Ritz W, Herrenknecht M (2008) Hardrock tunnel boring machines. John Wiley & Sons

  • Mitchell JK, Soga K (2005) Fundamentals of soil behavior. 3rd Ed., John Wiley and Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • Mori L, Alavi E, Mooney M (2017) Apparent density evaluation methods to assess the effectiveness of soil conditioning. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 67:175–186, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2017.05.006

    Google Scholar 

  • Niu X (2019) Weathered granite soils. Geotechnical Engineering-Advances in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, IntechOpen, 143

  • Niu X, **e H, Sun Y, Yao Y (2017) Basic physical properties and mechanical behavior of compacted weathered granite soils. International Journal of Geomechanics 17(10), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000983

    Google Scholar 

  • Pasand Masoumi HR, Abdollahipour A, Baghernia K (2021) Calculation of optimum soil conditioning in EPB tunneling (Case Study: Ahwaz Metro Project, Line 1). Journal of Mining and Environment 12(2):501–513, DOI: https://doi.org/10.22044/jme.2021.10664.2025

    Google Scholar 

  • Peila D (2014) Soil conditioning for EPB shield tunnelling. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 18(3):831–836, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-014-0023-3

    Google Scholar 

  • Peila D, Oggeri C, Borio L (2009) Using the slump test to assess the behavior of conditioned soil for EPB tunneling. Environmental and Engineering Geoscience 15(3):167–174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.15.3.167

    Google Scholar 

  • Peila D, Picchio A, Chieregato A (2013) Earth pressure balance tunnelling in rock masses: Laboratory feasibility study of the conditioning process. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 35:55–66, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2012.11.006

    Google Scholar 

  • Peila D, Picchio A, Martinelli D, Negro ED (2016) Laboratory tests on soil conditioning of clayey soil. Acta Geotechnica 11(5):1061–1074, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-015-0406-8

    Google Scholar 

  • Pham K, Kim D, Lee I, Choi H (2019) Hydraulic-mechanical properties of unsaturated granite-weathered residual soil in Korea. Vadose Zone Journal 18(1):1–13, DOI: https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2018.10.0188

    Google Scholar 

  • Pourhashemi SM, Ahangari K, Hassanpour J, Eftekhari SM (2022) TBM performance analysis in very strong and massive rocks; Case study: Kerman water conveyance tunnel project, Iran. Geomechanics and Geoengineering 17(4):1110–1122, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2021.1912410

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahardjo H, Aung K, Leong E, Rezaur R (2004) Characteristics of residual soils in Singapore as formed by weathering. Engineering Geology 73(1–2):157–169, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2004.01.002

    Google Scholar 

  • Rong X, Lu H, Wang M, Wen Z, Rong X (2019) Cutter wear evaluation from operational parameters in EPB tunneling of Chengdu Metro. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 93:103043, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2019.103043

    Google Scholar 

  • Seol H, Won D, Jang J, Kim KY, Yun TS (2022) Ground collapse in EPB shield TBM site: A case study of railway tunnels in the deltaic region near Nak-Dong River in Korea. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 120:104274, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.104274

    Google Scholar 

  • Shang X, Zhang Z, Xu X, Liu T, **ng Y (2019) Mineral composition, pore structure, and mechanical characteristics of pyroxene granite exposed to heat treatments. Minerals 9(9):553, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/min9090553

    Google Scholar 

  • Shin Y-J, Kang S-W, Lee J-W, Kim D-Y (2021) Challenges of EPB TBM in pressurized mixed grounds under Hangang river: Effect of clogging. Proceedings of the 2021 World Congress on Advances in Structural Engineering and Mechanics (ASEM21), Seoul 6918–6933

  • Song Y-S, Hong S (2020) Effect of clay minerals on the suction stress of unsaturated soils. Engineering Geology 269:105571, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2020.105571

    Google Scholar 

  • Tao L, Chen Z, Cui J, Wang H, Fang Y (2019) Experimental methods to assess the effectiveness of soil conditioning with foam in fully weathered granite. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering 2019:1–12, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9046704

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinai R, Oggeri C, Peila D (2008) Soil conditioning of sand for EPB applications: A laboratory research. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 23(3):308–317, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2007.04.010

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang S, Huang S, Qiu T, Yang J, Zhong J, Hu Q (2020) Analytical study of the permeability of a foam-conditioned soil. International Journal of Geomechanics 20(8), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001750

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang S, Ni Z, Qu T, Wang H, Pan Q (2022a) A novel index to evaluate the workability of conditioned coarse-grained soil for EPB shield tunnelling. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management 148(6), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0002287

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Wang S, Zhong J, Qu T, Liu Z, Xu T, Liu P (2021) Undrained compressibility characteristics and pore pressure calculation model of foam-conditioned sand. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 118:104161, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.104161

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang S, Zhou Z, Liu P, Yang Z, Pan Q, Chen W (2022b) On the critical particle size of soil with clogging potential in shield tunneling. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2022.05.010

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei Y, Yang Y, Tao M, Wang D, Jie Y (2020) Earth pressure balance shield tunneling in sandy gravel deposits: A case study of application of soil conditioning. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 79(9):5013–5030, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-01856-1

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Mooney MA, Cha M (2018) An experimental examination of foam stability under pressure for EPB TBM tunneling. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 77:80–93, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2018.02.011

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu Q, Zhang L, Zhu H, Gong Z, Liu J, Zhu Y (2020) Laboratory tests on conditioning the sandy cobble soil for EPB shield tunnelling and its field application. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 105:103512, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2020.103512

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoon S, Lee S-R, Kim Y-T, Go G-H (2015) Estimation of saturated hydraulic conductivity of Korean weathered granite soils using a regression analysis. Geomechanics and Engineering 9(1):101–113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2015.9.1.101

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang N, Shen S-L, Zhou A-N, Lyu H-M (2021) Challenges of earth pressure balance tunnelling in weathered granite with boulders. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Geotechnical Engineering 174(4):372–389

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Smart Construction Technology (No.RS-2020-KA157074) funded by the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and research project funded by Korean Railroad Research Institute (PK2203C1).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Railroad Civil Engineering Division, Korea Railroad Research Institute, Uiwang, 26862, Korea

    Hyobum Lee

  2. Railways Environmental Infrastructure Team, KDB Infrastructure Investment Asset Management Co., Ltd., Seoul, 07320, Korea

    Jaehyun Oh

  3. Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., Seoul, 03058, Korea

    Young ** Shin

  4. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, 44610, Korea

    Jongmuk Won

Authors
  1. Hyobum Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jaehyun Oh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Young ** Shin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jongmuk Won
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jongmuk Won.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lee, H., Oh, J., Shin, Y.J. et al. Laboratory Investigation on Excavation Performance of Foam-conditioned Weathered Granite Soil for EPB Shield Tunnelling. KSCE J Civ Eng 27, 5460–5469 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-023-2163-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-023-2163-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation