Construction Technology and Application of TBM in Shengli Tunnel of Tianshan Mountain under poor geological conditions

Abstract

            When a tunnel boring machine (TBM) excavates in poor geological conditions like fracture zones, soft rock with high ground stress, hard rock with high ground stress, and water inrush ground, severe problems such as surrounding rock collapse, convergence, rock burst and water and mud outburst are usually encountered. These problems existed in the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel project in Xinjiang, China. Several methods and techniques were adopted to reduce construction risks and improve construction efficiency. The seismic wave reflection long-distance geological forecasting method was employed to forecast and predict these adverse geological conditions. The pre-reinforcement construction method was employed on the surrounding broken rocks in front of the tunnel face to lower the risks of tunnel collapse and machine jamming. A combined steel arch was applied to prevent tunnel arch collapse. An artificial cap method was applied to prevent the jamming caused by high-ground stress soft rock. Measures such as spraying water on the tunnel face and drilling stress holes were employed to prevent rock bursts caused by high-ground stress in hard rock. Implementing the advanced pipe shed method during water influx, sudden mud, and other working conditions reduced the risk of groundwater damage to equipment and lowered risks to personnel safety. The successful application of these techniques can provide a reference for TBM tunnel construction in similar ground conditions.