Tunnel Portal Construction using Sequential Excavation Method: A Case Study

Portal excavation in soft rock is one of the most challenging tasks in the construction of underground facilities. Significant convergence, collapses and surface settlement are usually associated with portal construction. Alluvium is loose unconsolidated material and most often tunnels constructed through tend to destabilize. In this study, portal excavation design has been analyzed using the finite element based computer program known as Phase2. The method of top heading and benching was not a suitable approach, keeping in view the previous experience. Subsequently, a different design of sequential excavation method (SEM) was proposed. Minimum convergence, minimum surface settlement, and machinery constraints were considered to be the vital importance for selection of final design. The results of finite element method (FEM) analysis showed that the finally selected SEM design has a roof convergence of 4 mm for the heading and full face excavation has 25 mm. These values were comparable with the ones obtained from a 5-pin convergence station, installed during the portal excavation (0.5 m inside from the portal). No or very little surface settlement was shown by the numerical model and actual field observation. Consequently, a proper SEM design based on numerical modeling allowed a successful construction of a large portal in alluvial deposits

Preliminary estimation of rock mass strength using diamond bit drilling operational parameters

In many mining engineering applications such as prospecting, development, production and grouting, diamond bit drilling is widely used due to high penetration rate, core recovery and its ability to drill with less deviation. It has been well known that the operational parameters of diamond bit drilling are closely related with rock mass strength properties. One of the most widely discussed subjects in drilling is the possibility of using diamond drill bit operational parameters for preliminary estimation of rock mass strength and deformability properties used in many mining engineering design projects. Once such rock properties are estimated, it will be possible to make tactical planning decisions as mining progresses. In this study two different techniques, multiple regression and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) were used to develop the models for preliminary estimation of rock mass strength. The variables used in the models are widely known and recorded operational parameters of diamond bit drilling such as bit load, bit rotation and penetration rate. To develop the models, a database covering the rock properties and the machine operational parameters collected from seven different drill holes in Turkey was constructed. Results indicate that both regression and ANFIS-based models can successfully be used to predict the rock mass strength. Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference model exhibits better performance according to statistical performance indicators. By means of the developed models it is possible to estimate the strength of rock mass during drilling operation, especially in weak and highly fractured rock masses. The estimated strength parameters can be related to further mining engineering applications such as the assessment of excavatability, blast design and even mine design studies

Application on demand system over the Internet

This paper describes the design and implementation of the ASP-NG system. The main modules of the ASP-NG system are the AoD service and the Web Portal. The ASP-NG Portal is a portal for providing the user with the necessary interface in order to access an Application on Demand (AoD) service. The ASP-NG portal is responsible for the interaction with the user of the AoD service. Using the AoD service the user rents an application for a limited time period at a fraction of the actual cost of the application. The AoD service is responsible for downloading the appropriate parts of the application according to the user's actions, while enforcing the mutually agreed frame between the user and the Application Service Provider (ASP). The implementation of the ASP-NG portal is based on the Web Services of the Java 2, Enterprise Edition platform and the implementation of the AoD module is based on CCCprogramming language. The ASP-NG portal offers to its users the capability to select and customize the language of the user interface in order to present information in their preferred language. Moreover the ASP-NG portal offers to the portal administrator the capability to customise the look and feel of the ASP-NG portal