The Design and Construction of Tunnels and Shafts in Rock

Vincent D. Reynolds, MBA, P.E.

Course Outline

Tunnels and shafts are used to provide a means of transport of  people, and materials. The uses of tunnels and shafts ranges from vehicular, pedestrian and utility uses. tThe course materials are based solely on the Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Manual “Tunnels and Shafts In Rock” as found on the website of the Army Corps of Engineers.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student would have learned the following:

• What professionals are needed to design and construct tunnels and shafts in rock;
• The principle construction material used for tunnels in rock;
• The minerals that could be encountered in rock;
• The use of the Moh’s hardness scale;
• How igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are formed;
• The principal methods to describe rock discontinuities;
• How fractures in rock contribute to the inflow of groundwater;
• The most difficult things for tunnel designers to predict;
• The problems of encountering potentially harmful gases such as methane and carbon dioxide;
• The most naturally occurring gas in the ground;
• The volume of methane found in coal;
• The dangers of hydrogen sulfide;
• The use of the Rock quality description;
• The typical diameter of blastholes;
• The harmful effects of radon gas;
• The amount of explosive force that should be used in hard massive rock;
• Why the peak particle velocity should be measured;
• The cause of high peak particle velocities to buildings;
• The types and uses of rock bolts;
• The characteristics of Class A rock;
• Minimum amount of air required for underground workers;
• Use of dry and wet shaft drilling;
• Temperature of underground work environment;
• The purpose of OSHA in tunnel construction safety;
• The cause of shaft bottom failure;
• Characteristics of Gypsum;
• How to determine the effective shear modulus (G);
• The adjustment factors for tunnels;
• The rock structure rating (RSR) for tunnels;
• The use of H-beams in steel ribs;
• The Young’s modulus for rocks in several states;
• The rate of leakage in unlined tunnels;
• The tensile strain caused by curing shrinkage;
• Recommended slump for pumping concrete;
• Buckling pressure using Roark’s formula;
• The use of piezometers;
• Test methods to determine permeability;
• When to perform hydrostatic testing;
• The color of iron ores and other rocks types;
• Types of groundwater inflow;
• How to use the groundwater flow equation;
• Dangers of hydrogen encountered underground;
• When rock is known to be stabilized during construction;
• Max. gage velocity for different disc diameters;
• The DRI range for several rock types;
• The CLI range for several rock types;
• How to determine the delay of bored tunnels;
• The effects of tunnel grade on boring delays;
• The density of various rocks in different states;
• The cause and definition of blowback when constructing tunnels;
• Max. length of tunnel that uses blasting as opposed to TBM;
• The max. grade for transport tunnels;
• How human factors play into tunnel accidents;
• How robots are used in tunnel construction;
• The environmental effects of tunnel and shaft construction;
• Number of blastholes per round to be used in various types of rocks;
• The type of concrete desired for segmental lining;
• Properties of carbon monoxide;
• The importance of measuring and monitoring flammable liquids; and
• The friction factor for various tunnel linings.
  
  

Intended Audience and Benefit

This course is also perfect for anyone that would like to know more information about Tunnels and Shafts In Rock including transportation, mining, environmental, geotechnical and structural engineers, and many others.

Course Introduction

Tunnels and shafts are used to provide a means of transport of  people, and materials. The uses of tunnels and shafts ranges from vehicular, pedestrian and utility uses. Often times tunnels and shafts have to be placed in rock, which can then create the need for additional design, planning and construction criteria  than tunnels through soil. After reading this course the student will know the basic information regarding tunnels and shafts in rock.

Course Content

This course will discuss the tunnels and shafts in rock and their uses in aiding the transport of people and goods underground and through rock. The course materials are based solely on the Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Manual “Tunnels and Shafts In Rock” as found on the website of the Army Corps of Engineers.

The Design and Construction of Tunnels and Shafts in Rock

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Course Summary

This course can be used by anyone with an interest in geotechnical, environmental, transportation, and structural engineering, or anyone that would like to know more information regarding tunnels and shafts in rock. After reading this course the student will know the basic information regarding tunnels and shafts in rock. As always good engineering judgment is paramount in any situation. Utilizing good judgment and the knowledge gained in this course can provide the learner with valuable information to design and construct tunnels and shafts in rock.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:

http://www.usace.army.mil/publications/
http://www.epa.gov

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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