Assessment for shallow and large tunnel construction in weak ground conditions: Application of tunnel boring machines

Abstract With recent technological advancements, tunnel boring machines (TBM) have developed and exhibited high performance in large diameters and weak ground conditions. Tunnels are crucial structures that significantly influence the timelines of highway and railway projects. Therefore, the constru...

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Main Authors: Servet Karahan, Candan Gokceoglu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-03-01
Series:Deep Underground Science and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/dug2.12083
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author Servet Karahan
Candan Gokceoglu
author_facet Servet Karahan
Candan Gokceoglu
author_sort Servet Karahan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract With recent technological advancements, tunnel boring machines (TBM) have developed and exhibited high performance in large diameters and weak ground conditions. Tunnels are crucial structures that significantly influence the timelines of highway and railway projects. Therefore, the construction of tunnels with TBMs becomes a preferred option. In this study, a comparative analysis between TBM and the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) for tunnel construction is performed in the construction of the T1 tunnel with a diameter of 13 m, which is the longest tunnel in the Eşme‐Salihli section of Ankara‐İzmir High‐Speed Railway Project (Türkiye). The selection of TBM type, measures taken in problematic sections, and application issues of TBM are discussed. The impact of correct description of geological and geotechnical conditions on both selection and performance of TBM is presented. An earth pressure balanced type TBM is chosen for the construction of the T1 tunnel. Because of the additional engineering measures taken before excavation in problematic areas, the tunnel was completed with great success within the initially planned timeframe. From this point of view, this study is an important case and may contribute to worldwide tunneling literature.
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spelling doaj-art-afb36f5092eb4116ab61e7eae7c181862025-08-20T02:52:26ZengWileyDeep Underground Science and Engineering2097-06682770-13282025-03-014113214810.1002/dug2.12083Assessment for shallow and large tunnel construction in weak ground conditions: Application of tunnel boring machinesServet Karahan0Candan Gokceoglu1TCDD, Turkish State Railways Ankara TürkiyeDepartment of Geological Engineering Hacettepe University Ankara TürkiyeAbstract With recent technological advancements, tunnel boring machines (TBM) have developed and exhibited high performance in large diameters and weak ground conditions. Tunnels are crucial structures that significantly influence the timelines of highway and railway projects. Therefore, the construction of tunnels with TBMs becomes a preferred option. In this study, a comparative analysis between TBM and the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) for tunnel construction is performed in the construction of the T1 tunnel with a diameter of 13 m, which is the longest tunnel in the Eşme‐Salihli section of Ankara‐İzmir High‐Speed Railway Project (Türkiye). The selection of TBM type, measures taken in problematic sections, and application issues of TBM are discussed. The impact of correct description of geological and geotechnical conditions on both selection and performance of TBM is presented. An earth pressure balanced type TBM is chosen for the construction of the T1 tunnel. Because of the additional engineering measures taken before excavation in problematic areas, the tunnel was completed with great success within the initially planned timeframe. From this point of view, this study is an important case and may contribute to worldwide tunneling literature.https://doi.org/10.1002/dug2.12083face pressureNATMrailway tunnelTBMweak ground
spellingShingle Servet Karahan
Candan Gokceoglu
Assessment for shallow and large tunnel construction in weak ground conditions: Application of tunnel boring machines
Deep Underground Science and Engineering
face pressure
NATM
railway tunnel
TBM
weak ground
title Assessment for shallow and large tunnel construction in weak ground conditions: Application of tunnel boring machines
title_full Assessment for shallow and large tunnel construction in weak ground conditions: Application of tunnel boring machines
title_fullStr Assessment for shallow and large tunnel construction in weak ground conditions: Application of tunnel boring machines
title_full_unstemmed Assessment for shallow and large tunnel construction in weak ground conditions: Application of tunnel boring machines
title_short Assessment for shallow and large tunnel construction in weak ground conditions: Application of tunnel boring machines
title_sort assessment for shallow and large tunnel construction in weak ground conditions application of tunnel boring machines
topic face pressure
NATM
railway tunnel
TBM
weak ground
url https://doi.org/10.1002/dug2.12083
work_keys_str_mv AT servetkarahan assessmentforshallowandlargetunnelconstructioninweakgroundconditionsapplicationoftunnelboringmachines
AT candangokceoglu assessmentforshallowandlargetunnelconstructioninweakgroundconditionsapplicationoftunnelboringmachines