Meeting Stresses Cooperation Between Miners, Tunnelers At the annual meeting of the

American Society of Civil Engineers' Underground Technology Research Council (UTRC), miners and tunnelers alike urged cooperation between the two industries to fur ther technological research and development.

The meeting, held Oct. 24 in Denver, Colorado, was supple- mcnted with site visits to several nearby mines and tunnels. Progress reports on ongoing work by several UTRC committees accounted for most of the meeting.

Andrew McKown, chairman of the UTRC's committee on perimeter control blasting, presented his committee's report, which is nearly complete after five years of study.

Perimeter control blasting is an important method of reducing overbreak, reducing water inflow, reducing concrete/shotcrcte backfill, reducing rock reinforce- ment requirements, increasing worker safety, and reducing slope maintenance.

McKown described three different perimeter control blasting methods for (1) open-cut excava- tions (line drilling, cushion blasting, pre-splitting); (2) tunnels (smooth blasting); and (3) special cascs (fracture control blasting).

Because geologic aspects arc extremely important in perimeter control, the UTRC committee has developed a rock classification system to help in assessing the most suitable perimeter measures that should bc used in a particular case. Parameters of the classification system are the strength and soundness of the intact rock; the degree of fracturing and spacing of discontinuities; joint orientation; and the condition of joints.

McKown discussed several conclusions drawn from the two case histories presented in the report. These include:

I. The need for adequate information regarding geologic conditions expected to be encountered at the site;

2. The need for smaller spacing and loading than is conventionally used, where fractured and/or weathered rock is encountered and perimeter control is important.

3. The need for the U.S. to develop a small-diameter, low-

density cartridge explosive, with a charge weight in the range of 0.06 to 0.15 lbs/ft . (similar to the Gurit explosive manufactured in Sweden).

4. The use of the Half Cast Factor (HCF) in evaluating perimeter control results. The HCF is an easy and convenient measure of the degree of perimeter control achieved, and can also be used in specifications to state the degree of perimeter control that a designer wishes to have achieved.

McKown concluded that the case histories had shown that "substantial savings can be achieved through perimeter control loading," provided that an appropriate p.c. method is chosen and that technical factors such as drilling accuracy and first-row-in-hole placement arc accounted for.

The UTRC hopes to publish the committee's final report by the cnd of 1988.

A UTRC committee on tunnel lining methods, is developing a book on selecting and dimensioning tunnel linings. The philosophy of design and the philosophy of analysis for tunnel linings will be covered in the book. Background information on the various lining methods will bc provided to help understand their advantages and disadvantages. The book will show how to use analysis for various support types, and will provide examples of methods of analysis.

Committee chairman Dr. Stanley Paul of the University of Illinois briefly described the lining methods that will be covered in the book: empirical methods, closed form methods, beam-spring method, and finite element methods.

Paul's presentation focused on the advantages of the beam-spring method, and how to overcome its potential disadvantages (e.g., difficulty in selecting spring parameters and loading to be applied; difficulty in modeling joints and cracks; difficulty in modeling construction sequences).

Oil mining consultant Robert Miller presented a report on oil recovery from an underground platform. According to Miller, the U.S. is facing an oil crisis, which oil mining can help alleviate. Based on figures from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. could recover 300 billion barrels of

oil. However, Miller said, existing conventional technology is inadequate for this recovery task.

An underground platform provides a drilling base close to the oil, and can permit oil recovery in areas where conventional oil recovery methods cannot be used.

The targets for oil recovery by underground platforms are aban- doned oil fields (often character- ized by low surface flow rates and uncontrollable reservoirs); oil fields that are inaccessible by conven- tional recovery techniques because of high-density urban development (as in the Los Angeles area) or environmental restrictions (as on the California coastline); and "problem" oil fields, where heavy oil, tight reservoirs or structural complexities prohibit the use of conventional technology.

Miller noted that to improve oil recovery technology, the oil industry must cooperate with civil engineers.

Miller's message was echoed in a lunchcon address by Norman Anderson, former chairman and CEO of Cominco Ltd., who dis- cussed tunneling and underground construction from a miner's perspective.

Anderson stressed the need for miners and civil engineers to share ideas and technology. Increased international competition and dcveloping technology mean that "we have to work harder and smarter to compete with other countries," Anderson said. "And research has to bca major component in 'working smarter.'"

Comparing tunnel boring machines with drill-and-blast technology, Anderson said that his impression was that "hard-rock mined tunnels will continue to be driven convcntionally for awhile, partially because of the versatility of drill and blast." However, he noted, given a good mucking system and good rock, "a TBM would have the advantage."

Other progress reports dealt with the activities of UTRC committees on the history of tunneling, tunnel rehabilitation, and expert systems.

A final report on contracting practices, the draft of which was discussed at length at last year's UTRC meeting, is nearly complete and should bc available early in 1989.

News from around the World Austral ia

Austral ia's largest underground bus terminal went Into operation earl ier this year, providing some 30,000 shoppers daily access to Brisbane's Myer Centre. The aboveground Victorian-style shopping complex encompasses a large department store, more than 250 specialty shops, eight movies, two taverns, a food and leisure village, and a carpark for 1450 vehicles. Escalators, elevators and stairs convey passengers to the

shopping level from and to the new underground terminal, which cost A$25 million. All of Brisbane's southern and western bus routes now pass through the tunnel to pick up and discharge passengers. The development has boosted inner city public transport and about half the people visiting the shopping complex from now on are expected to come by public buses. The tunnel and station have been soundproofed and a ventilation system has been installed that changes the air in the tunnel every

I I0 seconds. The road surface inside the terminal is painted a bright yellow to brighten the appearance of the underground environment.

India .

India's Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Board in Hyderabad is planning a 420-Mw, coal-fired powerplant at Muddanur in southern India. The national government's p lanning commission

V o l u m e 4, N u m b e r 1, 1989 TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND SPACE TECHNOLOGY l l 1

has approved the f i rs t stage of the project, expected to cost $390 mil l ion and be completed by 1991. The state agency, which plans to build two more units of 420 Mw each dur ing the next decade, is seeking foreign f inanc ia l assistance.

from smoking in stations can enjoy gui l t - f ree smoking," said a ra i lway spokesman. A recent ra i lway stat ion survey found that more than hal f of the passengers in terv iewed wanted to see a total ban on smoking in stations.

option is a l i n k between the Norwegian and Danish gas t ranspor ta t ion systems in the North Sea and de l iver ing gas to Sweden through Denmark. However, this is the least a t t rac t ive option for Norway.

India's National Thermal Power Corp. Ltd. will rebid a turnkey contract for a 600-Mw combined-cycle powerplant at Kawns in the western part of the country. NTPC, based in New Delhi, has not set a new bid date. France's Alsthom At lan t iquc submit ted the lowest proposal, US$253 mil l ion, in May 1986. Although the award was announced last November af ter protracted discussions, the contractor and NTPC could not reach a formal agreement to proceed. The plant wil l have gas turbines with a total capaci ty of 400 Mw and steam turbines genera t ing 200 Mw. The Kawas plant is one of three combined-cycle stat ions slated for northern and western India.

Japan

A study on the creat ion of a huge dome-shaped space 50 m below ground was launched in September by an advisory panel to Japan's Minis t ry of In te rna t iona l Trade and Indust ry (MITI). The panel wil l consider both legal and technical aspects of creat ing and using an underground space with a d iameter of 50 m and a height of 30 m, M1TI of f ic ia l s said. No site for such a project has been chosen, but it would be in the Tokyo metropol i tan area or in another major city. The technologies to be studied include a method of ana lyz ing and assessing deep underground structures, development of an excavator that can make a sharp turn below the ground, and control l ing the environment of dccp underground space. The panel wil l consider legislat ion cal l ing for land owners to give up their ownership rights to space more than 50 m or 100 m below the ground. As envisioned, the underground space would have complex energy supply faci l i t ies , informat ion-processing centers, d i s t r ibu t ion centers and waste water recycl ing faci l i t ies . MITI plans to al locate 20 bil l ion yen for the project in the next seven years.

A smoking ban has gone into effect at most stations of the 10- line subway system In Tokyo in response to the disastrous London Underground f i re in November 1987. A total of 191 Tokyo subway stat ions arc affected; the only exceptions arc six t ransfer stat ions under the control of the ra i lway lines. Large b i l ingual poster with the "no smoking" message in Japanese and English arc posted throughout the system. The private successor railways also have begun to crack down on smokers. The East Japan Railway Company has opened a special smoking area in Tokyo Station. "This way,'smokcrs who have been pressured to refrain

The capital city of Japan's northernmost island has developed a unique system for heating and cooling downtown buildings, employing waste heat from the municipal subway system that is used by more than hal f a mil l ion passengers daily. Sapporo (pop. 1.6 mil l ion) is now bui ld ing an energy- e f f i c ien t d is t r ic t heat ing plant that wil l recycle heat generated by passengers, lights, elevators, other machinery and trains. The system, the f i rs t of its kind in the world, is expected to be operat ional by April 1989. The plant is expected to reduce heat ing costs for the bui ldings it serves by about 40%, while providing heat for an indoor swimming pool, greenhouses and a road de-icing system. The project is expected to recover its capi ta l costs in seven years and begin making prof i ts in 14 years. Made possible by pub l i c /p r iva te cooperation, the plant will be run by a company funded by public (55%) and pr ivate sector (45%) contributions.

The introduction of a "fuzzy control" in the automatic train operation (ATO) system that guides Japan's newest subway in Sendal (pop. 710,000) has made it what may be the world's most technological ly advanced metrorail system. Developed by Hi tachi on the theoret ical basis of the fuzzy set theory formulated in the U.S. dur ing the 1960s, Sendai 's computer ized fuzzy control system allow the complex thought processes of an experienced motorman at the control to be incorporated into the subway's control programs, making for smoother acceleration, deceleration and braking. The fuzzy control system used for the 13.6-kin, 16- station Scndai system is considered a vast improvement over the standard ATO, which requires constant adjustment of quantitative digital data, resulting in a jerky, uncomfortable ride. Scndai is said to be the first heavy rail metro system that has successfully incorporated fuzzy control into its ATO system.

Norway

A Norwegian indust ry group has concluded that it is technical ly and economical ly feasible to build a na tura l gas pipel ine from the offshore Hal tenbanken f ields or f rom western Norway to markets in eastern Norway. Among the possibi l i t ies are a line to shore west of Mole or Trondheim, and a 250- mi. l ink between Hantenbanken and the North Sea gas grid. Two options for shipping gas to eastern Norway are being considered, both of which could be modif ied to export gas to Sweden. Another

Pakistan

The Development Authority of Karachi, Pakistan, and the city's Water and Sewerage Board are planning a US$375-mil l ion, second- phase program to increase water supply by 100 mgd and boost the collection and disposal of wastewater by 94 mgd. Inter- nat ional ins t i tu t ions have a l ready pledged assistance amount ing to 78% of the cost. The improvements are to be completed by 1993. Meanwhile, the Capi ta l Develop- ment Author i ty in Is lamabad has again invi ted f i rms to prequal i ty to design and prepare bid documents for a $163-million project to supply 102 mgd of water to the Islamabad- Rawalp ind i metropol i tan area. An ear l ier p requa l i f ica t ion was cancelled because too few appl icat ions came from Japan, which is providing the funding. Firms from other countr ies wil l be considered as well, however.

People's Republic of China

The Asian Development Bank will recrui t consultants to study the planned Guangzhou pumped storage power stat ion in China 's Guangdong Province. The Guangzhou project would include two dams and a four-uni t powerhouse producing a total of 1200 Mw at Lu Tian, about 55 mi. northeast of Guangzhou. It would cost more than US$300 million. The hydroelect r ic stat ion would be teamed with the Daya Bay nuclear plant, which would supply power to pump water to the upper reservoir dur ing off -peak hours. The twin 985-Mw nuclear units are under construction nearby at a cost of $4 bi l l ion by French and British groups. The Asian Development Bank proposes to provide technical assistance for the project. In i t ia l engineer ing services to be sought by the bank will cover an evaluat ion of a l te rna t ive designs of power tunnels and manifolds, and supervision of the construction of those structures. The project will operate under an extremely high head--about 1760 ft. It is due for completion by 1992.

China's Ministry of Water Resources and Electric Power, its Ministry of Rai lways and the Shanxi provincial government plan to hire consultants to conduct a feasibil ity study of a coal-fired powerplant in Shanxi Province. The Liu Lin generat ing stat ion involves the construction of two 100-Mw units and about 27 mi. of rai l lines. The US$95-million project is the f i rs t phase of a Shanxi-Lul ian8 area development plan. The Asian Development Bank has granted $100,000 for a contract to update a feas ib i l i ty study for the powerplant.

1 12 I ' IINNELLIN(; AND UNI)ERGROtTNI) SPACE TECfINOI~O(;'f \ ' o l t m l c 4, Ntmd)¢'t ]. 19H9

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union plans to increase gas production in 1991- 1995 by putting into operation the gas resources of the Yamal penin- sula. However, the development of the Yamal peninsula f ie lds is associated with grave technical problems because the f ields •re located in • zone character ized by extremely unfavorable mining and c l imatic conditions. The greatest dangers for construction are the concentrated underground brines, which do not freeze even at temperatures as low as -10°C. In developing the gas-condensate fields of the Yamal peninsula, special well construction will be introduced to prevent the melting of permafrost and bearing stress of the columns at frost penetration. To pipe gas from the Yamal fields, six cross-country gas pipelines, 1420-mm in diameter, with an operating pressure of 75 atm will be laid to central and western regions of the Soviet Union. Pipes with a pressure of i00 atm may be used in the pilot sections of these gas pipelines. Commissioning of the first gas pipeline from the Yamal peninsula is planned in i991.

Spain

The Spanish government has announced its proposed energy plans through the year 2000. State- owned Enagas will spend US$i.2 billion expanding its natural gas system, and local distribution companies will spend $1.5 billion. The spending for transmission lines includes $189 million for the 285- mi., 20-in. Madrid-Seville line, on which work has begun. Completion is scheduled for 1991. Another 300 mi. of line are in the design stage. Work on the 85-mi. line from France's Lacq field to Serrablo in Spain is expected to begin shortly. When completed in 1991, the pipeline will allow Spain to import gas from Norway through France.

United States

A US$3.1-bi l l ion project to improve t ra f f i c f low into and through Boston is moving ahead. The project involves replacing the 30-year-old elevated Central Artery

with a new eight- to ten-lane, 3- mi.-iong underground alignment; and constructing a Third Harbor Tunnel, a 7-mi., four-lane tunnel and seaport access road that will ink the city's downtown with Logan Airport. Running the Central Artery underground will free 22 acres for development and open space, and will reunite neighborhood that had been divided by the elevated highway. The Central Artery and Harbor Tunnel project is expected to be complete by 1998.

Morrison-Knudsen Co. Inc. has won a US$43.8-mi l l ion contract to drive a deep, 6-mi. tunnel in Utah for the Bureau of Reclamation. The engineer's estimate of the project's cost was $50.9 million. The water tunnel will run as deep as 1000 ft. beneath a mountain through layered sandstone and shale. The li-ft.-dia, drive will be performed by a tunnel boring machine; a 15-in. reinforced concrete lining will be used. The tunnei is part of the $1.8-billion Bonneville Unit of the BuRec's Central Utah Project. It will feed water from Strawberry Reservoir to an existing irrigation network. The Central Utah Project, which comprises five components, will allow Utah to make full use of its allotment of water from the Colorado River and its tributaries.

Williams Enterprises, Inc., Merrifield, Va., has bought and reused two pieces of equipment, called "Gizmos," that originally were used to renovate the Holland Tunnel in New York City in 1986. The original Gizmos resemble the space shuttle's mechanicai arm in their ability to hold panels whiie making exact variations in height and pitch. Williams adapted the f irst Gizmo to help install 200 preeast concrete panels beneath a wide, curving pedestrian bridge over a four- lane h ighway in Rosslyn, Va. The company now plans to store the first Gizmo and use it on future jobs. Meanwhile, the firm is cannibalizing the second machine and using its diesel motor and hydraulic parts on panel erection equipment to be used next year on a bridge-tunnel project. Through the company's panel erection work and purchases of other firms'

equipment, Williams has amassed a collection that includes virtually all of the existing tunnel ceiling panel erection equipment in the U.S.

A Houston (Tex.) company wants to build a US$2.2-billion pipeline system on the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border to transport natural gas from Texas to California and serve industrial plants in Mexico along the way. Talks are underway with Mexican government and national oii company officials to garner support for construction of the 1655-mi. pipeline system. According to Intercon Gas Inc., the venture is the largest single energy project ever proposed between the two countries. The 1285-mi. main pipeline and 30 mi. of related facilities would be known as the Trans Mexico Pipeline. The line would originate near Reynosa, Mexico, across the Rio Grande from McAllen, Texas, and would terminate at Tijuana.

Construction began In September on an underground l ink between the Freer Gal lery and the new underground Smithson i •n Museum complex in Washington, D.C. Storage space also will be added under the Museum's central courtyard. The Museum's entire collection of nearly 17,000 pieces of Asian and Near Eastern artifacts will be stored in the building during the project. The excavation process will need to be expertly handled to assure the stability of the foundations, walls and floors of the existing museum.

Venezue la

The nat ional gas company of Venezue la pians to spend US$1.4 billion to expand its natural gas network. A key part of this expansion is the 500-mi., 30-in. Nurgas system, which is expected to be complete by 1990. The national gas grid will be extended to 3000 mi. by 1993. The Nurg~as system will carry 28 million m ° from the Anaco fields in the eastern part of the country to major industrialized centers in the northern coastal area of Venezuela. A number of pipeline sections are currently under construction.

Volume 4, N u m b e r l, 1989 TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND SPACE TECHNOLOGY 113